Proper Workplace Ergonomics: Reducing & Preventing Potential Workplace Injury
When most people think of workplace injuries, they tend to think of single traumatic incidents that result in sudden, often severe, and permanent injury. With more and more people working from home, doing office work, and performing factory jobs, repetitive stress is accounting for an increasing percentage of workplace injury.
Work Injury from Repetitive Stress
The injuries that result from repetitive strain come on slowly and can be hard to avoid. A typist, for example, may feel the damage of repetitive strain building up over a matter of months or years. If the person does not feel free to take time off from work, the only alternative to preventing an injury is proper workplace ergonomics and proactive self-care.
There are several ways we can help protect ourselves and each other from repetitive stress injuries. They include:
Managing Chronic Stress: Stress at work is normal. In our off time and during breaks, we should take the time to unwind, relax, and engage in healthy and satisfying activities, including getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
Proper Lifting: Heavy lifting is always a hazard for those who must do it regularly. Using proper body mechanics, braces, and the correct tools are always important when lifting heavy objects.
Limited Movement: Those who are susceptible to repetitive strain are advised to refrain from similar movements when away from work for maximum recovery time.
Ergonomics/Mechanics: Having proper seating, posture, a well-proportioned desk, and properly sized equipment is also an important way to minimize and hopefully avoid these problems.
Treating Work Injury & Repetitive Strain
Here at NYC Chiropractic and Spinal Decompression Center in Manhattan, our professional chiropractor and support staff work with repetitive strain and work injury clients every day. These injuries are a major disruptor in the lives and professions of the people who are affected by them.
We will work with you to help develop better work ergonomics and habits while providing a range of therapeutic modalities to aid in recovery and prevention.
