By Marc Dellière, Medical Consultant & Trainer – Specialist in Stress, Prevention & Integrative Health
Many people attribute neck or back pain primarily to stress.
And stress does play a role.
However, since the rapid expansion of remote work, another factor has become increasingly important, prolonged physical inactivity.
In modern digital workplaces, musculoskeletal health is becoming a key issue for employee well-being, productivity and prevention strategies.
The silent loss of everyday movement
Before remote work became widespread, a typical workday included many small movements, walking to meetings, climbing stairs, visiting colleagues and commuting
These micro-movements continuously stimulated joint mobility, circulation and muscle activation.
Today, many remote workers spend long uninterrupted periods sitting at computers, often in non-ergonomic environments.
What scientific research shows
Recent scientific studies have started to document the musculoskeletal consequences of this shift.
A systematic review analyzing teleworking and musculoskeletal disorders found that neck pain and low-back pain are the most frequently reported conditions among teleworkers, with ergonomic and organizational factors playing a key role.
Several reviews also indicate that the rise of telework has been accompanied by an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders associated with prolonged sitting, inadequate workstation ergonomics and reduced physical activity.
More broadly, sedentary behaviour itself has been strongly associated with neck pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Stress and immobility: a compounding mechanism
From a physiological perspective, two mechanisms interact. Stress increases muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders and upper back. And immobility reduces the natural mechanical release of postural muscles and joint structures. The result is a progressive accumulation of musculoskeletal strain.
In digital work environments, the combination of stress and prolonged sitting may therefore amplify joint discomfort.
Beyond mechanical strain, prolonged immobility may also contribute to low-grade inflammation
Reduced movement limits muscle contractions and circulation, which play a key role in maintaining tissue homeostasis.
At the same time, sustained postural tension may further promote local inflammatory responses in musculoskeletal tissues.
This provides a physiological link between sedentary behavior, stress and inflammation, helping explain the persistence of joint discomfort in remote workers.
The emerging role of nutritional strategies for joint health
Beyond ergonomic interventions and physical activity programs, nutritional approaches are increasingly explored to support joint health and mobility.
Several categories of ingredients have been studied in clinical research, including collagen peptides, omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols and bioactive dairy peptides.
For example, randomized clinical trials have shown that supplementation with collagen peptides can reduce joint pain and improve physical function, suggesting that nutritional interventions may complement lifestyle strategies in joint health management.
In this context, strategies targeting both mobility and inflammation are gaining increasing attention.
Bioactive dairy peptides: the case of Xelflex®
One example of innovation in this field is Xelflex®, developed by Ingredia.
Xelflex® is a milk-protein hydrolysate containing bioactive peptides derived from casein, designed to support joint comfort and mobility.
Preclinical research suggests that these peptides may act through modulation of inflammatory pathways involved in joint discomfort. Studies reported an inhibitory effect on inflammatory cytokines and a reduction of inflammatory edema in experimental models.
A simple but essential message
Remote work itself is not the problem. The real issue is prolonged immobility.
Maintaining joint health in digital work environments requires a combination of movement, ergonomic workstations, stress management and nutritional support.
A practical 60-second mobility routine
Encouraging regular movement breaks can already make a difference.
Every 45 minutes:
1️⃣ Shoulder opening – 20 seconds
2️⃣ Spine extension – 20 seconds
3️⃣ Gentle neck rotations – 20 seconds
Just one minute can help reactivate postural muscles and restore mobility.
Key takeaway
The problem is not only stress.
It is stress in a body that no longer moves enough.
Learn more about Xelflex for joint health!
Scientific sources :
Fadel M. et al. Teleworking and musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2023.
Gomez IN. et al. Work-from-home related musculoskeletal pain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Osteopath Med, 2023.
Milaković M. et al. Telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. Front Public Health, 2023.
Casjens S. et al. Changes in musculoskeletal pain among computer workers working from home, 2025.