How ergonomics helps

Ergonomics may prevent musculoskeletal injuries (such as back strain or carpal tunnel syndrome) by reducing physical and mental stress caused by the workstation setup. By focusing on the physical setup of your workstation and the tools you use, you can reduce your chances of injuries. It also is important to evaluate the work process, including job organization, worker rotation, task variety, demands for speed and quality, and the social aspects of work structure and supervision.
Working intensely over long periods of time without taking breaks can greatly increase your risk for musculoskeletal injuries. Taking regular breaks from your work and doing stretching exercises may reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries. Try taking 3- to 5-minute breaks-or changing tasks-every 20 to 40 minutes.

Office Ergonomics - Home Treatment for Injuries Related to the Workstation

If you have a musculoskeletal injury such as back or neck strain or carpal tunnel syndrome, try home treatment for a few days when you first notice symptoms. These steps are usually helpful in relieving discomfort caused by stress and overuse. Home treatment includes:
Resting the painful area and avoiding or modifying activities that aggravate your pain or discomfort. Return to some daily activities as soon as possible to help maintain flexibility and general well-being. Be aware of any tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain that may indicate an injury.
Using ice to reduce pain and inflammation. Place an ice pack or cold pack over the painful area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, as often as once an hour. This will help decrease any pain, muscle spasm, or swelling.
Using nonprescription pain relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin (such as Bayer), ibuprofen (such as Advil), or naproxen sodium (such as Aleve), can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can also help relieve pain. People younger than age 20 should not take aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome (a central nervous system complication in children).
Doing gentle stretching exercises to keep flexible and prevent stiffness. These exercises include stretches for your wrist and arm, shoulder, neck, and back.
Examining your workstation setup and workstation tools. Apply the ideas of ergonomics to make sure your workstation and tools fit you and the activity you are doing, and try making changes that will limit any injury.
Maintaining good health habits. Exercise regularly (including aerobic, muscle strengthening, and flexibility exercises), eat a balanced diet, don't smoke, get enough sleep, and lose weight if needed. If possible, reduce stress and tension at work and at home.
Home activities may contribute to workplace injury. For example, doing an activity at home that requires the same repetitive movements as at work may not allow your body time to recover. Also, driving long distances to and from work may contribute to workplace injury. Using special seat covers for added comfort (such as those made of wool or beads), carpooling, or using public transportation may help reduce this added stress.-webmd.com

Best position for your hands while typing

The best position for keying is with your wrist neutral. Your wrist should not bend to tilt your hand up or out to the side.

About laptops and ergonomics

Many people use laptop computers as secondary workstations. You should not use a laptop as your primary computer. Using a docking station that provides an adjustable keyboard can help keep your wrists in a neutral position to reduce stress and strain. If you use a laptop often, try the following to improve ergonomic factors:7
· Take a short break every 20 to 30 minutes. Resting and stretching for 3 to 5 minutes or changing tasks gives your body a chance to recover from working a long time in one position.
· Keep your head and neck in a neutral position and about 18 to 30 inches away from the monitor screen.
· Position the keyboard so that it is at elbow height, and try to keep your wrists relatively straight and your fingers slightly curved while you are working. You may need to use a pillow under your elbows to support your arms if you are sitting on a couch or chair while keying.
· Use an external mouse instead of the small touch pad or trackball that is on the laptop keyboard.
· When you have to carry your laptop with you:7
o Carry only what you need with you.
o Use a carrying case with a padded strap and handle. It's best to put the strap over the opposite shoulder to help distribute the load you are carrying, or to switch hands regularly.
o Use a luggage cart with wheels when possible.
Parents can apply all these ideas when children use a computer. To adjust a workstation for a child, you may want to:
· Make sure the seat is high enough so your child can see the monitor without looking up and so your child's shoulders are relaxed when he or she types. You may want to have your child sit on a thick book, a firm pillow, or a booster seat.
· Use a footstool (or a thick book or a backpack) to support your child's feet if they don't rest comfortably on the floor.
· Use a firm pillow behind your child's back to scoot him or her toward the front of the chair.
· Adjust the keyboard and mouse or other input device to keep your child's wrists straight.
· Avoid glare on the monitor screen.

Ways to improve your workstation

o Many keyboards and keyboard trays have wrist supports to help keep your wrists in a neutral, almost straight position. However, wrist pads are just there for brief rests. They are not meant to be used while you are typing, but some people find they help even during keying. When you type, try raising your wrists from the support so your wrists are in a neutral position. You may want to alternate between resting your wrists on the supports and raising them up. See an illustration of proper hand and wrist positioning for keyboard use.
o You can adjust the tilt of the keyboard. Some people find it more comfortable if the keyboard is flat or tilted slightly down at the top. Try different tilt angles to see what is most comfortable for you.
· A computer mouse or pointing device that does not require a lot of forearm movement or force, such as a trackball mouse or touch pad, is more comfortable than a standard mouse for some people. Other types of pointing devices are also available. See an illustration of proper hand and wrist position for mouse and trackball use for examples.
· A document holder that holds your papers level with your computer monitor, so that as you look back and forth between paper and monitor, your eyes do not need to continually refocus.
· A comfortable room temperature, a relatively quiet area, and sufficient lighting without glare from office lights, sunlight, or the computer screen.
· A telephone headset or speaker phone, so you avoid awkward positions while talking and doing other tasks, such as typing.
· A location for any reference manuals that is close to the center of your workstation, for easy access.

Office ergonomics- tips

· A chair that maintains normal spinal curvature. A supportive chair:
o Is adjustable, so that you can set the height to rest your feet flat on the floor. Keep your feet supported on the floor or on a footrest to reduce pressure on your lower back. Some people like to sit in a slightly reclined position because it puts less stress on the back, although this may increase stress on the shoulders and neck when you reach for items.
o Supports your lower back.
o Has adjustable armrests that allow your elbows to stay close to your sides. If you are not comfortable with armrests, move them out of your way. It is still important to keep your arms close to your sides even if you choose not to use armrests.
o Has a breathable, padded seat.
o Rolls on five wheels for easy movement without tipping.
· A computer keyboard and keyboard tray that allow comfortable typing or keying.
o Your keyboard should be at a height that allows your elbows to be open (bent no more than 90 degrees) and close to your sides.
o There are many variations for keyboard design, including split, curved, or rotated keyboards. A small scientific study has shown that using alternate keyboard designs can reduce tendon stress in the fingers and wrist. If you notice hand, arm, or neck discomfort, your employer may have different keyboard styles for you to try; different people find different styles work best for them.

Let's improve our workstations...!

To improve your workstation , choose workstation tools that fit your personal physical and comfort needs, such as:
· A desk or work surface:
o Large enough to accommodate papers, reference manuals, and other workstation tools, but arranged properly to access items easily.
o At a height that allows enough space for your knees and thighs to comfortably fit under the desk.
o That is not shiny.
· A computer monitor that is:
o Clear and easy for you to see without leaning forward or looking up or to one side.
o At a height where the top of the screen is at eye level, or within 15 degrees below eye level.
o Less than an arm's length away from you.
o Protective against eyestrain, which may lead to vision problems and headaches. For example, glare guards are available either as part of the monitor or to be placed over the monitor screen. Plasma screens also have less glare than other monitors.

Musculoskeletal injuries

Ergonomics may prevent musculoskeletal injuries (such as back strain or carpal tunnel syndrome) by reducing physical and mental stress caused by the workstation setup. By focusing on the physical setup of your workstation and the tools you use, you can reduce your chances of injuries. It also is important to evaluate the work process, including job organization, worker rotation, task variety, demands for speed and quality, and the social aspects of work structure and supervision.
Working intensely over long periods of time without taking breaks can greatly increase your risk for musculoskeletal injuries. Taking regular breaks from your work and doing stretching exercises may reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries. Try taking 3- to 5-minute breaks-or changing tasks-every 20 to 40 minutes.

Carpal Tunnel

“The treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in its early stages is often directed at decreasing the inflammation of the tendons. The most common treatment without the use of drugs or injections is a “cock up” night splint which keeps the wrist in a neutral position during sleep, to prevent the normal bent position which often occurs during dreaming which puts pressure on the nerve.

This helps a CTS sufferer sleep better. Symptoms often worsen at night because the position of the hand is at the same level of the heart while lying down and fluid accumulates in the soft tissues within the canal. Patients do NOT wear a splint 24 hours a day —-this is another fallacy and can cause other physical problems. We DO encourage them to change their routine in the future and rest from repetitive activities. “Other options to treat mild symptoms include the use of non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Ibuprofen or Advil.

“There is a small amount of medical data that suggests high doses of Vitamin B6 may be helpful, acting as a physiological diuretic to decrease the swelling of the tendon sheaths. This shouldn’t be confused with other diuretics, such as those taken by heart patients. “An injection of corticosteroids such as cortisone within the carpal tunnel itself can relieve pain quickly by reducing tendon swelling. This “frees up space” to allow more room for the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and frequently, that resolves the problem.

However, this is a limited treatment option, and I recommend no more than two injections, about 6 months apart. “For patients whose symptoms don’t respond to these conservative treatments and those with a significantly positive nerve conductive study I recommend a minor surgical procedure called endoscopic carpal tunnel release to relieve the pressure on the nerve. This is a painless and very effective treatment.