Working at a desk is hard on the body full stop and if we have to do it (like so many of us do) it’s so important that we are doing it correctly.
I’m Dr. Ange from the Wellman Clinic and in today’s video I am going to share with you 4 things you must do to make sure your desk job is not destroying your body.
For those that have been fortunate enough to work in organizations that offer ergonomic consultations you may have discovered what a huge difference it makes for your body to have your desk properly set up and customized to you.
Unfortunately most people are often given a desk and chair with little consideration and during these Covid times your work station may be a dining room table and chair at best.
Sitting has now been identified as the new smoking and long periods of staring at improperly positions screens in ill-fitting chairs can wreak havoc on the spine.
Common symptoms that occur in desk workers range from headaches, neck pain, eye strain, back pain, wrist, elbow and shoulder pain, sciatica and digestive issues just to name a few.
The importance of good work station ergonomics cannot be overstated. So what are “proper ergonomics”.
Here are 4 things that you must do to make sure your workstation is offering you the best support possible:
- Screen position – position your screen at arms length from you and make sure the top of your screen is at or just below eye level.
- Keyboard position – when you place your fingers on your keyboard your elbows should be at ninety degrees to your body. You may need to raise or lower your chair to get there
- Chair position - your chair should enable you to sit up with a straight back and have your elbows at ninety degrees on the keyboard and your screen at eye level
- Feet – your feet should sit flat on the floor – if they are dangling use a small stool. Consider using a foot rest at a 45 degree angle to support your feet.
By taking the position of your screen, your elbow/wrist position, your chair comfort/height and your foot position into consideration you will be taking the necessary steps to minimize the wear and tear on your body that comes with sitting.
Even with the best ergonomics the reality is that sitting is not good for us.
It’s important to get up every 30 minutes to move your body and to make sure you are active outside of work. The long term benefits to your spine and to your health are huge.
If you found this information helpful please share it with your colleagues at the office and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out at 705-991-1555
Until next time…
Live Well for Life!