With so many changes to our normal work environment and home routine, you may notice more frequent aches and pains. Whether you are experiencing neck and shoulder pain, wrist pain, or low back pain, ergonomic training and exercise can help. Ergonomics is a science that deals with designing and arranging things so that people can use them efficiently and safely.
At Rose City Physical Therapy and Hand Therapy Specialists, our goal is to reduce your aches and pains, increase your level of functional independence, identify your unique cause of injury, and assist in reducing future injury. Because of this, ergonomics matter greatly to us.
Sometimes it’s as easy as modifying and using items around your home or workplace to make you more comfortable. Other times it requires a more sophisticated solution like a standing desk or changing the design of your everyday working arrangement. Whether you are sitting at a computer all day or standing in the assembly line, ergonomic training can help you find relief. Working with our team, we will consult with you on how you should properly set up your workstation and teach you exercises you can do at work and at home ensuring you perform at your highest level!
At Rose City Physical Therapy and Hand Therapy Specialist, our team of highly trained physical and occupational therapists can teach you how to set up your workstation to minimize the risk of injuries. Our therapists use ergonomics and body mechanic training to help resolve issues with pain you may face in your daily life. We will advise on how to set up your home or work environment properly and teach you exercises you can do at work and at home ensuring you perform at your highest level!
Schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable physical or occupational therapists to see if you can benefit from ergonomics training!
What is ergonomics?
As our society has shifted from an active lifestyle to a more sedentary way of life, the need for new strategies to keep people healthy has emerged. The science of ergonomics is based on the belief that fitting the work environment to the employee will lead to fewer injuries and improved quality of life.
Ergonomics typically employs specific tools, workstation setup, and body mechanics to maximize efficiency and safety. Our physical and occupational therapists will identify and then modify the factors that may lead to injury.
To set up the appropriate workspace, you will need the following information:
- The setup of your desk or workstation, including the size and space of the room
- The type of tools and equipment used daily (i.e., computer, phone, monitors, etc.)
- The expectations and demands of the job include a summary of a typical day.
This information will help determine what items may need modification to ensure your safety. Have someone take some pictures of you at your work station from various angles, in your normal habitual posture. This can provide tremendous help in understanding your current work environment.
How physical or occupational therapy can help with ergonomic training
When you arrive for your initial therapy appointment, one of our highly trained physical or occupational therapists will conduct a thorough physical evaluation. We will start with an injury evaluation and a biomechanical assessment to identify all the factors contributing to your injury.
This includes reviewing your medical history, work injury history, and determining the demands on your body at work and home. We will use this information to develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and appropriate pain relief techniques.
When focusing on ergonomics and body mechanics, the goal is to improve posture, body awareness, and energy efficiency. This is completed by recommending necessary adjustments and modifications to your work environment or the tools you use to reduce and prevent further pain and injury.
In some circumstances, specialized devices or equipment modifications (such as splints or wrist supports) may be recommended as a way to make your daily tasks more comfortable. Your therapist will then incorporate specific treatments with a return to work progression to assist you in a safe return to your regular duties.
What to expect with occupational or physical therapy
Every good therapy program will include injury prevention strategies that ensure you do what you need to do to make a living. We will assess your mobility, strength, and requirements to do your job.
At Rose City Physical Therapy & Hand Therapy Specialists, our team of therapists are skilled at identifying the cause of your pain and discussing your work and home environment in detail to ensure the best possible outcomes.
For example, we may advise changing the position of your computer monitor on your desk relative to where you’re sitting or suggest setting a timer to remind you to get up more frequently to walk around. Performing simple exercises in conjunction with changes to posture and body position will profoundly affect preventing injuries on the job.
Addressing the ergonomics of your work environment can decrease your risk of sustaining an injury and minimize disrupting your work and personal life!
Call today to schedule an appointment
Our highly trained occupational and physical therapists can provide you with the guidance to resolve your pain and improve the ergonomics of your work environment to ensure you stay injury-free!