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    5 Small Moves That Help Stop Body Aches

    Some best practices for sitting, standing, and sleeping can make all the difference

    Got neck pain and stiffness? Or an annoying ache in your lower back?

    more on easing pain

    Whether this seems to happen while you’re scrolling through your phone, watching your favorite series on television, preparing a meal, or even after a night’s sleep, paying just a little more attention to your posture can help keep you feeling better and more energized.

    Consider trying one or more of the following strategies from ergonomics expert Dana Keester, an engineer on Consumer Report’s consumer experience and usability research team.

    To reveal each tip, click or hover your cursor over the dots (or tap on a mobile device) on the illustration below.

    Click on dots to learn more.

    Illustration: Chris Philpot

    Plus: Get Moving

    To avoid posture-related pain, switch positions often. Being in one position for a long time causes muscles to get fatigued faster and ache. So take breaks every 20 minutes or so to stretch, walk, or move your body in a different way.

    Editor’s Note: A version of this article also appeared in the September 2024 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.


    Catherine Roberts

    Catherine Roberts is a health and science journalist at Consumer Reports. She has been at CR since 2016, covering infectious diseases, bugs and bug sprays, consumer medical devices like hearing aids and blood pressure monitors, health privacy, and more. As a civilian, her passions include bike rides, horror films and fiction, and research rabbit holes. Follow her on X: @catharob.