Is this Good or Bad posture?

Office Ergonomics Creating efficient and comfortable working conditions Eva Mikruit, Crystal Glahn and Nick Rutigliano Touro College School of Health Sciences Doctorate of Physical Therapy Class of 2008

Objectives By the end of today’s Discussion you will be able to: Define ergonomics Design an efficient workspace environment Demonstrate proper body mechanics for your work station Demonstrate preventative steps for injury Demonstrate upper extremity stretches at the office Perform therapeutic exercises at the office

Ergonomics Definition : The applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort. Goal: Prevent musculoskeletal disorders by surveying the workplace, take preventative steps, relying on employee, input, and addressing the problems early.

Human Body Designed to be an upright, dynamic system Not built to sustain prolonged muscle contractions Inappropriate posture + stress to the body= pain Americans spend increasing number of hours in front of desks and computers

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) Micro trauma to the body involving: Muscles Nerves Tendons Ligaments Joints Spinal Discs Cartilage Ultimately causing Low Back/Neck Pain, Carpal Tunnel, and Epichondylitis!!

MSD Signs and Symptoms Signs  ROM  Grip strength Loss of Function Swelling Cramping Redness Color loss Symptoms Muscle Fatigue Aching Burning Numbness Stiffness Tingling

Unsatisfactory Work Station Monitor too low Keyboard to high, wrists bent Chair too high No arm rest on chair Forward head posture

Satisfactory Work Station Design Feet flat on floor Knees at 90 degree angle Back resting against chair with adjustable lumbar support Shoulders relaxed Elbows at 90 degress Wrists neutral Monitor at eye level Adjustable computer chair Minimize glare and reflections

Office Stretches Levator Scapulae stretch Pectoralis Low Back Rhomboid Trunk Rotation People with back or spinal problems are advised to see a specialist before trying these exercises!!

Wrist and Hand Stretches Wrist flexion/extension stretch

Upper Extremity Exercises Standing Chin Tuck

Shoulder blade pinches

Shoulder Shrugs

Exercises for Wrist and Hand Pronation/Supination and Grip

Statistics 1.8 million annual ergonomic work related musculoskeletal injuries 90 million dollars total injury cost per year  Amount of lost workdays secondary to injuries (30 days on avg) 70% of Carpal Tunnel 62% of Tendonitis (Amell et. al.)

Evidence Based Effect of a workplace design and training intervention on individual performance Study was published in Work Journal 2006 Findings: Workplace design and ergonomic training significantly increased employee satisfaction, individual performance and group effectiveness. (Robertson, et al. 2006)

Conclusion Work Station Design Maintain correct posture Perform office stretches Practice Prevention!!

References Amell T. & Kumar S, Work related musculoskeletal disorders:Design a prevention strategy.JOR 2001;11: Makofsky HW, Spinal manual therapy. Slack Inc.Thorofare.2003 Robertson MM & Huang, YH. Effect of a workplace design and training intervention on individual performance, group effectiveness and collaboration: the role of environmental control. Work 2006;27:3-12. Office Ergonomics: A guide for employees. Charles Sturt Univ.

Questions? Thank You!