| Many people spend a good portion of their day | | | | several times during the day. In fact, if you are |
| working on a computer. If the desk, chair and | | | | doing a lot of typing or data entry, it is |
| computer are not arranged in an ergonomic | | | | recommended that you take a break every hour. |
| fashion, this can cause a lot of pain and stress. | | | | During this time you can do other tasks such as |
| There are some things to take into consideration | | | | reading, making phone calls or filing, but you should |
| when designing your work station that can help | | | | take a break from the repetitive motions of |
| improve your posture and the position of your | | | | typing. |
| hands, wrists and arms. | | | | It is also important to position the chair so that |
| The goal of an ergonomically designed work | | | | your feet can rest naturally on the floor while |
| station is to keep the back, legs and feet | | | | your knees are at a 90-110 degree angle. A |
| supported while maintaining neutral positioning of | | | | footrest could also be used if necessary to |
| the hands, wrists, arms and neck. It is also | | | | achieve this angle. Your chair should also offer |
| important to keep the computer screen aligned | | | | good lumbar support to encourage good posture |
| with the eyes to avoid neck strain. | | | | and minimize back pain. |
| Because force and pressure can also cause pain | | | | Not caring for your back by forgoing use of an |
| and damage to our muscles and joints, it's also | | | | ergonomic chair or other unintelligent practices can |
| important to insure that any motions that we | | | | lead to serious back problems as you get older. |
| make during the day are as ergonomically correct | | | | Many people do not take care of their bodies and |
| as possible. This can be especially important in | | | | especially their backs, which can lead to severe |
| computer work, because of the repetitive nature | | | | back pain and potentially major surgery. Surgery |
| of the movements. Although typing on a | | | | can keep you out of work for numerous months |
| keyboard improperly for a short period of time | | | | and impact your life in many negative ways. Take |
| might cause a bit of pain or stress, repeating | | | | care now when you still can and make sure |
| these motions day after day could result in actual | | | | you're using ergonomic chairs and other |
| damage. | | | | back-healthy equipment to ensure you never |
| One way of helping to avoid the potential damage | | | | have to go through bad times. |
| of repetitive movements is to take short breaks | | | | |