What is ergonomics, how does it affect you?

October is national ergonomics month - a good time to evaluate your work environment!

DES MOINES, IA (09/24/2010)(readMedia)-- If you have a crick in your neck, aching back or throbbing head at the end of a work day it may be because your work environment needs to be re-adjusted, ergonomically speaking that is.

"Ergonomics is the relationship between a person's physical behavior, characteristics, capabilities and limitations and his or her job tasks, equipment, environment and processes," explained Carol Ruby, M.Ed., CEES, exercise physiologist and ergonomics specialist at Des Moines University.

This interface between work environment and employee is designed to capitalize on efficiency and promote productivity but most importantly to preserve the safety of the employee. October is national ergonomics month and a good time to evaluate, and possibly adjust, your work environment.

The term ergonomics encompasses many aspects including worker/workplace fit, both physically and cognitively, workflow efficiency, design and use of tools and more. Poor ergonomics may lead to musculoskeletal injuries such as aches or pains in muscles and joints, muscle weakness, numbness, reduced range of motion, headaches and low back pain, to name a few.

Excessive exposure to the following contributes to musculoskeletal disorders:

• Repetitive motion – performing any particular motion or task frequently.

• Force - any exertion such as lifting or pulling.

• Posture – the body position when bending, reaching, sitting or standing.

• Contact stress - any body part that comes into contact with a hard surface such as a wrist on keyboard, knee on carpenter's knee hammer, etc.

• Vibration – movement that may come from hand tools affecting the extremities or whole body vibration from riding in vehicles.

"Two or more factors per each task increases the risk for injury. Decreasing the effects of one of those factors will reduce that risk. Even taking a two-minute break every hour or changing tasks regularly may decrease your chance of injury," Ruby said.

The following are tips to help combat common musculoskeletal injuries from poor ergonomics:

• Take a short break to do stretching exercises throughout the day.

• Regularly switch your activities throughout the day

• Lift properly at all times, even when moving light items.

• Be aware of how tightly you're gripping your tools.

• Evaluate whether wrist rests, footstool or monitor riser would alleviate awkward postures and movements.

For more information about ergonomics, visit www.Ergonomics.org, www.OSHA.gov or www.SafeComputingTips.com.

For help with an existing injury, visit the Des Moines University Physical Therapy Clinic. Call 515.271.1717 to schedule an appointment or visit www.DMUClinic.org for more info.