| If you work at a technical writer, there are a few | | | | adjustable? Does it roll or are the rollers long since |
| things more precious to you than your | | | | missing? Is the seat pan adjustable and does the |
| workstation and your chair. Whether you do | | | | seat pan size fit your bottom size? Is the back of |
| technical writing, technical editing or some other | | | | the chair adjustable? If your desk is not height |
| form of documentation development, these two | | | | adjustable, then begin adjusting your ergonomic |
| pieces of equipment will become the foundation | | | | office chair from the floor up. This means sit |
| from which you will conduct your work. So in this | | | | squarely with your knees bent. Lower the |
| article we will look at the ergonomic chair, as | | | | ergonomic office chair until your feet are flat on |
| related to technical writing.Regardless of how | | | | the floor. Next make sure your feet do not |
| many hours a technical writer spends in their | | | | dangle. Sit up straight and adjust the seat pan and |
| office chair, there are some important things to | | | | chair back to evenly distribute and support your |
| consider when selecting a good ergonomic office | | | | weight.4. Do you need armrests? I think armrests |
| chair. But what exactly is ergonomics? In plain | | | | are vital for technical writers. Most ergonomic |
| language, ergonomics is the study of how a | | | | evaluators agree that for most office workers, |
| human body functions in a particular environment | | | | adjustable arm rests are vital and allow the use |
| with the tools and equipment of that job. That | | | | to relax their arms and shoulders. This prevents |
| equipment and environment impacts the human | | | | undue strain. Adjust arm rests so shoulders are |
| body in various ways and the field of ergonomics | | | | relaxed and elbows hang comfortably, and |
| involves identifying risks for injury and controlling | | | | forearms, wrists and hands are aligned in a |
| those risks.When you, the technical writer | | | | straight, neutral position. Remember your hands |
| considers purchasing an ergonomic office chair, | | | | you be relaxed as you type. Do not make the |
| these are some of the issues to look at before | | | | mistake of leaning on your elbow on your bare |
| that purchase.1. How do you sit at your desk? Do | | | | desk. A very painful condition of inflammation can |
| you put your feet squarely below you? Do you | | | | flare up in your elbow and send you running for |
| sit with one leg folded underneath you? Do you | | | | an ice pack.5. Finally, what are your work habits? |
| sit far away from the keyboard or hover closely | | | | Do you sit for hours on end, crunching numbers |
| over it? After you purchase a good ergonomic | | | | or writing? If so, no ergonomic office chair will fix |
| office chair, be sure to sit with your knees bent | | | | your stiffness or soreness from doing this to |
| at a 90 degree angle and your feet firmly on the | | | | your body. Working in a healthy manner means |
| floor or a foot rest. Get used to writing with good | | | | taking breaks for your body. Get up and walk |
| posture and life will be much better in the end.2. | | | | around or stretch in some way at least once an |
| How is your workstation configured? Is | | | | hour. This break will loosen up stiff joints, promote |
| everything you need within an arm's length reach? | | | | circulation and reduce muscle tension.Buying a |
| Are all of your work surfaces at comfortable | | | | good ergonomic office chair is a great first step |
| heights? It's important that your monitor be an | | | | towards avoiding an ergonomic injury. Technical |
| arms length away and at eye level and that | | | | writers want to beware of this because a |
| frequently used equipment and supplies are within | | | | repetitive strain injury could sideline you from |
| easy arm's reach. Technical writing can sometimes | | | | your job while your body rests or heals. If you |
| involve getting into the "zone." We all know that | | | | are an independent technical writer, and not a |
| means you just think and write. You don't move. | | | | salaried corporate worker, this can even translate |
| It's then that the configuration of your | | | | into loss of income. The world wide web is a |
| workstation, your posture and the quality of your | | | | great place to find tons of information on |
| chair become especially important.3. What is | | | | ergonomic office chairs, or ergonomic injury |
| lacking in your current office chair? Is the height | | | | prevention. |