Ergonomics & Posture

Introduction

Despite spending almost half of our weekdays at work, we will often periodically neglect our health during these moments. This is particularly evident in sedentary workers who spend most of their time seated or even standing in front of a computer. By doing this, we are more prone to poor postures such as a rounded upper back, flat lower back and a protruding head. Sustaining a poor posture for prolonged periods can cause misalignment of the spine and places an enormous mechanical strain on the body’s structures. These detrimental influences on our body can lead to:

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Migraines and headaches
• Nerve pain
• Wrist and forearm conditions

Not only does this impact our physical, mental and psychological wellbeing but can also lead to chronic pain and increased absence from work. If you have any of these conditions, it’s highly recommended to seek out physiotherapy treatment as early as possible to speed up recovery and prevent further deterioration. Considering the origins of these conditions, a significant component of physiotherapy should also be dedicated to ergonomic and postural modifications. Unless the root cause of the issue is addressed, it will be difficult to make a complete recovery.

What is ergonomics?

Ergonomics is he interaction between you and your workplace. By making modifications to this interaction, this can significantly reduce the risk of injuries. As a result, ergonomic considerations should always be made when determining the cause and management of an injury. Through small adjustments on how you sit, stand or perform certain work duties, this can make a substantial impact on your long-term health.

How can Physical Healthcare help?

At Physical Healthcare, we pride ourselves on ensuring that these ergonomic and postural considerations are incorporated in your management. Although humans were not created to be stuck in front of a computer for hours on end, we have an arsenal of treatment options to counteract this including:

• Ergonomic and postural re-education
• Postural taping
• Biomechanical postural analysis
• Tailored rehabilitation program
• Manual therapy and hands-on treatment
• Dry needling