Monthly Archives: December 2016

ergonomic chairs

Repetitive Strain Injuries and Computer Usage

Posted on by

Am I really at risk for injury while using a computer?

We often think of injury as a sudden occurrence. “The back pain came from the heavy object I lifted yesterday.” “The broken nose came from an elbow during a basketball game.” “The hip fracture occurred after I fell.” The common thought on injury is that it is an instantaneous, unavoidable accident.

The truth is that injury comes in two forms: sudden impact acute injuries and chronic minor impact repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). Acute injuries are described above. They are fractures, dislocations and sprains resulting from a fall, a sudden movement, or an elbow to the nose. The second type of injury, RSIs, occur over a period of time. Repetitive strain injuries like De Quervains, trigger finger, and bursitis are the result of performing the same action on a constant basis.

A common type of RSI is tendinitis. Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation to the tendon, a flexible but inelastic cord which attaches muscles to bones and allows limbs to move.  As a result of constantly typing or using the mouse at the computer, the tendons in your fingers, wrists, or shoulders become irritated, inflamed, and can even tear. Discomfort will often radiate from the wrist to your fingers or from your shoulder to your bicep. After a diagnosis of tendinitis, it might even be difficult to hold items let alone continue typing or using the mouse for long periods of time.  Such discomfort is not caused by a sudden accident. Instead, over time, after repetitively using the fingers or neck to type and stare at a computer, tendons will start to become inflamed.

So how can we prevent tendinitis or the variety of other RSIs? Physical therapy, occupational therapy or surgery usually helps a person rehabilitate after one obtains an RSI. Yet, how can we save a person from these unnecessary conditions before?  For those who have rehabilitated or are at risk for an RSI, how can we prevent onset?

The key to prevention is adjusting your workstation to meet your specific needs. We are all different. People are distinguishable both physically and behaviorally. A one size fits all model cannot solve most ergonomic problems. Instead, we must aim to adjust an individual’s workstations so the client can sit in a neutral posture. A neutral posture means sitting and working in positions that are the most natural for your body while placing the least amount of stress on your limbs. For example, to keep the wrist in a neutral posture a person should have their wrist and palm aligned with their forearm while using the mouse and typing.  You should be able to draw a straight line from your elbow to your palm.   With the wrist in a neutral position, your shoulders should be in a relaxed position, not raised.  Your elbow should be close to your body and positioned at about a 90-110 degree angle. (To learn more about the neuteral posture of the wrist, see here.)  Additionally, a person should be using adjustable equipment – whether an adjustable chair, a keyboard tray, or a footrest – that gives a person the ability to adapt their workstation to meet his or her specific needs.  In short, we must creat an environment where the job fits the person, not vice a versa.  

We hope this post gives you a quick introduction about the risk of injury while using a computer and gives you some pointers about ways to prevent RSIs at work.

For more information, please feel free to contact us at (310) 467-5625.

 

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Shaul Lent OTR/L, MA, CEAS

ergonomics advance, CTS and ergonomics

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Computer Work

Posted on by

Have you ever felt numbness or discomfort after typing or using the mouse for a long period of time? The discomfort can be annoying and sometimes even painful. Concentrating on your work, spending more than a few hours finishing a project, the tingling and numbness starts to kick in, affecting the wrist, fingers, and forearm.

 

Does typing or using the mouse cause carpal tunnel syndrome?

Researchers have debated about whether computer usage causes carpal tunnel syndrome for while now. For many years, it was a given: spending more than six to seven hours at a computer will cause CTS.  However, in the last few years, the belief that computer work causes carpal tunnel has come under criticism. Some in the medical profession argue that only repetitive, strenuous labors like working in the meatpacking or construction industry can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.  Using a computer is too light of an activity to cause CTS.  Recently, though, researchers from the Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability have concluded that excessive computer usage, especially using the mouse for long periods of time, can be a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome.  

 

The Benefits of an Ergonomic Specialist

There are a variety of treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel can be treated surgically. A surgeon might cut a ligament around the carpal tunnel, opening up space and releasing some of that extra pressure placed on the median nerve.  A physical or occupational therapist can also treat CTS.  The therapist can help improve wrist and finger strength as well as decrease swelling before and after surgery. Ergonomics and working comfortably at ones work station is also part of the process. With the use of ergonomic equipment such as a adjustable keyboard tray, an ergonomist can give a client the equipment and the techniques necessary to place the wrist in a comfortable, neutral posture.  Ergonomics can help a person return to work after rehabilitating from carpal tunnel syndrome. Sensitive from the after effects of surgery or trying to prevent further pain at work, a ergonomist can provide ergonomic equipment and teach people recovering from CTS about proper wrist positions to sit and work comfortably, without aggravating old symptoms.  

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Shaul Lent CEAS, MA, OTR/L

What is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?

Posted on by

The Carpal Tunnel

Before we understand what is carpal tunnel syndrome, let us first understand a little bit about the anatomy of the wrist and hand.  Under the wrist there are a variety of bones, tendons, and nerves that provide the wrist with structure and stability and give the hand the ability to feel and move.  Some of these nerves and tendons are housed in little compartments.  One of these compartments is the carpal tunnel, a narrow circular passageway located on the palm side of your wrist. The tunnel surrounds and provides protection to a total of nine tendons moving from your forearm to your hand and an important nerve – the median nerve – which controls some sensation and movement in your hand and fingers.  

 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Scientists have recognized that CTS is caused by a variety of conditions, including anatomy, gender, and work.  Due to one or a variety of such conditions, the tendons in the carpal tunnel begins to swell or the carpal tunnel itself slowly begins to narrow, placing pressure on the median nerve. Symptoms often start gradually.   A person might first start experiencing numbness, tingling or just plain discomfort in the thumb, middle and index fingers as well as the wrist.   As the disorder progresses, this feeling can increase and become constant.   A person with CTS might also experience weakness and drop items that he or she was once able to grasp without difficulty.  

Carpal tunnel is a common condition.  Five percent of the United States – some 3 million people – have the condition.  It affects people of all ages, but particularly people during the working  years (20-70 years) and during old age.  What can we do about the condition?  How can an ergonomic specialists assist with relieve the symptoms of such a injury?  Find out how in a our next post.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Shaul Lent CEAS, MA, OTR/L

 

 

 

 

Ergonomics at a tech company

Tech Companies and Ergonomics

Posted on by

Does tech company culture promote injuries?

Our bodies are not made to perform repetitive movements in sedentary sitting positions. Repetitively typing and staring at a computer screen put strain on our muscles and tendons. The fast paced environment found in the tech industry, where employees work at a computer for eight to ten hours a day, can contribute to these repetitive motion injuries.  How can we avoid these repetitive movements when sitting at a computer is necessary for the job? How can an ergonomic specialist prevent discomfort when injury and strain seems immanent?

Tech companies can promote a fast pace culture and still be conscious of comfort and heath as well as ergonomics and injury prevention.  Health does not have to be compromised because you are working in a fast pace environment. Tech companies are recognizing that using ergonomic products, following ergonomic recommendations, and taking regular ergo breaks in fact promote productivity. Companies, for example, who have implemented a successful ergonomic program are able to reduce disability days between 10-35% and improve return to work rates by 6%. Turnover rates have also declined for those companies who have implemented a successful ergonomic program (Heller-Ono, 2014). This suggests that with a successful ergonomic program, employees are able to feel an increased loyalty to their company and are physically able to spend more time at work.

When administrators implement a successful ergonomic program work quality will improve. Taking breaks and sitting comfortably at one’s workstation, allows employees work more productively in a limited amount of time. Whether you have a motto like, “Done is better than perfect (Facebook)” or “Work hard, have fun, make history (Amazon),” ergonomics will give employees the ability to finish deadlines and complete projects more efficiently. The lost time in breaks and the extra costs for ergonomic equipment will be made up in productivity.

Thanks for reading,

Shaul Lent CEAS, MA, OTR/L

Source:

Heller-Ono, A (2014) A Prospective Study of a Macroergonomics Process over Five Years Demonstrates Significant Prevention of Workers’ Compensation Claims Resulting in Projected Savings. Evaluation 30:90