| Back pain is the main cause of stress to our | | | | characteristics in daily living. Both skills develop |
| skeletal body, which is largely due to using poor | | | | with further education and experience in the clinical |
| mechanics in the human body. Our bodies are | | | | expertise of Occupational Therapy, seeking out |
| designed to actively move and be continually used | | | | the root causes of pathological symptoms and |
| with correct movements, which we | | | | promoting protective solutions for the prevention |
| spontaneously learn through our childhood | | | | of ongoing injuries. |
| development. What we have not learned is how | | | | Both approaches are curative, because they |
| to keep our bodies safe in movement for | | | | eliminate the abnormal movements that irritate |
| preventing injuries. | | | | back pain. Ergonomics will help create the normal |
| Ergonomics is the term used to describe the | | | | movements, while Health Promotion protects the |
| relationship between the human, the equipment | | | | safe performance enabling an active prescription |
| being used by the human within the environment | | | | for daily living. |
| that the equipment is situated. This is relationship | | | | Directives in abnormal movements and corrective |
| is key for understanding how incorrect or | | | | postural positioning can only be valid through skilled |
| repetitive movements lead to back pain. | | | | practitioners trained in Ergonomics with a medical |
| Originally Ergonomics was used entirely in the | | | | background, such as Occupational Therapy and |
| work place environment, for preventing injuries on | | | | Physiotherapy that understand abnormal |
| work-sites. Since advent of computer technology; | | | | pathology in abnormal repetitive movements. |
| the term Ergonomics is related to all | | | | Solutions used to alleviate back pain are correct |
| environments where computer workstations are | | | | positioning in ergonomic chairs, because the chairs |
| commonly situated, which is the office that could | | | | create the supportive relationship between the |
| also be in the home. Ergonomics therefore | | | | human and the chair for comfort when sitting. |
| maintains the correct relationship between each | | | | There are a variety of ergonomic chairs to be |
| part of the triangle for comfort and safety. | | | | used for different purposes. They can suit all sizes |
| It is an Occupational Therapist who will assess the | | | | of individuals, according to their differing needs |
| causes of back pain, which interferes in the | | | | and movements required. |
| relationship of the ergonomic triangle and provides | | | | Ergonomic chairs alone will not alleviate back pain |
| solutions for easing the pain to continue the | | | | just by just 'sitting' in an ergonomic chair. The |
| ergonomic relationship. These solutions may only | | | | spine needs to be supported in the correct |
| provide temporary relief for easing back pain, until | | | | position, so that it remains relaxed for therapeutic |
| the tributary causes of the back pain are | | | | movements to massage the spine and stimulate |
| revealed. | | | | corrective postural movements for a comfortable |
| Ergonomics along with Health Promotion are the | | | | and therapeutic sitting position. |
| terms used to promote positive health | | | | |