This presentation on office ergonomics is designed to help corporate employees learn how to prevent repetitive musculoskeletal disorders. Please provide feedback, comments or additions as we recognize that collaboration will only improve this program!
1. P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
123 West Main Street, New York,
NY 10001
www.rightcare.com|
Corporate Wellness
Office Ergonomics to Prevent
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Created by Stephanie
Thatcher Weinsier, ARNP
Corporate Wellness Center
sweinsier@bellsouth.net|
Corporate
Wellness Center
2. P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
123 West Main Street, New York,
NY 10001
www.rightcare.com|
Common Office-related
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Corporate
Wellness Center
•Shoulder/trapezius strain leading to adhesive capsulitis
(frozen shoulder)
•Elbow strain/epicondylitis leading to cubital tunnel
syndrome
•Wrist strain/carpal tunnel syndrome
•Cervical strain/neck pain and degenerative arthritis
3. P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
123 West Main Street, New York,
NY 10001
www.rightcare.com|
Why should you care?
Corporate
Wellness Center
4. P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
123 West Main Street, New York,
NY 10001
www.rightcare.com|
Available Equipment to improve
your ergonomic health
Corporate
Wellness Center
•Wireless headset
•Special keyboards to minimize strain
•Ergonomic mouse with specialized fit
•Lumbar support
•Foot rest
•Lower keyboard tray
**all can be special ordered-don’t wait until it becomes a longstanding problem!
5. P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
123 West Main Street, New York,
NY 10001
www.rightcare.com|
Video Hyperlinks-Office
Stretches
Corporate
Wellness Center
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forearm-
stretches/MM00709
http://www.mayoclinic.com/healt
h/neck-stretches/MM00708
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lower-back-
stretches/MM00711
6. P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
123 West Main Street, New York,
NY 10001
www.rightcare.com|
Online resources for further
information
Corporate
Wellness Center
http://www.mayoclinic.org/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/
http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/ergonomics/checklist.html
http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/ergo_computers.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tennis-elbow/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/frozen-shoulder/DS00416
7. P: 555.123.4568 F: 555.123.4567
123 West Main Street, New York,
NY 10001
www.rightcare.com|
Thank you
|
Corporate
Wellness Center
Created by Stephanie
Thatcher Weinsier, ARNP
Corporate Wellness Center
Notes de l'éditeur
Hello, I am Stephanie Thatcher Weinsier, The Nurse Practitioner in the onsite corporate Health and Wellness Center.
This program will introduce you to the concept of ergonomics and will outline the importance of education in prevention in order to avoid future pain, loss of productivity and increased heatlhcare costs.
The name of the game in ergonomics is PREVENTION and it depends on YOU and YOUR habits in combination with ensuring you are using the proper equipment and tools to make work more comfortable for you. Besides having the proper equipment, proper use is essential and depends on YOU which is why this tool is so important for you.
First off, let’s discuss what ergonomics is!
Ergonomics is the study of workplace and equipment design in the workplace. The health and wellness center staff, in addition to the safety staff, is here to provide guidance on how the workplace can be set up with special tools and habits to prevent the occurrence of common computer-related musculoskeletal disorders. The goal of this program is to make you aware of ergononomics and that we are here to help you to work comfortably and productively.
As you can see in this slide, there are many musculokeletal disorders that result from office work. High stress to produce, in combination with long hours and repetitive use of your joints can predispose you to repetitive strain injuries, or musculoskeletal disorders, such as shoulder/trap strain, elbow strain, wrist strain, and cervical strain, not to mention lumbar (low back strain). All these disorders, when untreated or not corrected can lead to more serious conditions that may require surgical correction.
The next slide goes into the personal and organizational consequences of these types of disorders
As mentioned, repetitive strain injuries or musculoskeletal disorders can lead to more serious conditions that require therapy or surgery or further testing such as MRI or more invasive studies such as nerve conduction testing. These types of tests and interventions can come at a high cost-both financial and productivity costs.
I know many of you depend on high productivity to achieve bonuses or improve take home pay. These disorders can impair your ability to work at a highly productive rate and may even require you to take time away from your job. The resulting pain and fatigue from loss of sleep can carry over into your professional and personal life. This may require more visits to the physical therapist or healthcare professional for evaluation, diagnosis, and testing.
There are a myriad of tools available to make your work more comfortable that will also prevent you from having chronic conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and those mentioned previously.
These can be special-ordered for you-all you have to do is visit the Wellness Center for a consultation or request the equipment from your department purchaser. When you visit us before you have longstanding pain or numbness we will ensure that you are working with the correct posture and that you have the correct equipment for you. Each body habitus is different, some have small hands and some have much larger hands that require a larger sized mouse. Your jobs are all a bit different as you each are unique in how you do your job and each job requires different habits. Some are on the phone for extensive periods and may require a wireless headset. Others, may require special keyboards or keyboard trays. Others may be exceptionally tall or short, requiring the knowledge to properly adjust the chair or use a footrest to provide lumbar/lower back support.
First, we want to be sure that you have the right equipment.
Next, we want to be sure that you know how to use it properly.
Once you have the right equipment and know how to use it, you will want to be sure that you stay mobile. Staying in one static position for long periods of time will most likely lead to muscle strain. You must learn to stretch and move periodically-at least every 1 to 2 hours. These hyperlinks will take you to a credible site, the Mayo Clinic, which provides videos of how you can perform stretches in the workplace.
The first focuses on forearm stretches, essential for those who work with computers, smartphones and other handheld devices; they will help avoid wrist strain and crpal tunnel syndrome which is so very common in this era of connectivity both at work and in your personal life.
The second video demonstrates neck stretches that can be performed in the workplace. A simple stretch that I recommend daily is to turn and find the corner of the ceiling up and behind you and to stare at it for a count of ten. This is best done when sitting-you can cross your legs for an extra spinal stretch. Repeat on the other side. This can be done in 30 seconds while in your office chair.
The third video focuses on the lower back and is an excellent resource for office-workers.
As the healthcare clinicians in the onsite health and wellness center, we want you to know that we can help you move forward with preventing illnesss and injury. We can help you with education and advise, provide a heat or ice pack, or treat your musculoskeletal condition. Our emphasis is on prevention and early treatment as early intervention will improve your outcome. It is up to YOU to report any discomfort, numbness or concern early so we can improve your chances of returning to full function as soon as possible. It takes a team!
For more information, you can contact me, Stephanie Thatcher Weinsier, at sweinsier@bellsouth.net
