Patients have been working heavily from home over the past two years. This means kitchens, dining rooms, couches, and even floors, have turned into at-home offices.
However, these settings were not designed for working on a laptop for 8-10 hours each day. As a result, more and more people have begun to experience physical aches and pains.
Bridge Physical Therapy has begun treating the aches and pains of patients who have returned to office space after two years of working from home. We strongly encourage our patients to pay attention to the ergonomics of their workspace and make modifications where possible.
If you have aches and pains after working from home for a period, physical therapy at Bridge Physical Therapy could benefit you.
Request an appointment at Bridge Physical Therapy in South Ogden, UT or Ogden Athletic Club today. In the meantime, here is some helpful information if you are searching for ways to redesign a healthier, more comfortable work area.
The importance of ergonomics in the workplace
When it comes to an Ergonomic Workspace Evaluation of someone’s workspace, all things need to be considered – chair, desk, keyboard, lighting, mouse, work zone, phones, and other commonly used tools or devices. When a patient’s workstation is properly set up, it will minimize the amount of reaching, bending, or twisting and allow for the decreased strain on their joints and spine while improving productivity.
In addition to the ergonomic setup, we strongly recommend that patients follow the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes spent looking at a computer screen, they should spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away. This will also serve as a good reminder to stand up, stretch, or take a lap around your house to improve blood flow and muscle activity.
The basic principles of an Ergonomic Workspace Evaluation are as follows:
- Elbows at or above the workstation
- Hips 1 to 2 inches higher than knees
- Standard office chair fits someone as tall as 6’0
- Feet should be flat on the floor
The first modification someone should make is to adjust their work chair. Any modification after that should be conducted by a trained ergonomist or discussed with a physical therapist at Bridge Physical Therapy.
Some common DO’s and DON’Ts we inform our patients on when it comes to maintaining proper ergonomics at their desk or work station:
- DON’T let your feet dangle
- DON’T sit or stand for too long
- DON’T use the couch
- DO adjust your chair
- DO keep your elbows above your workstation
- DO contact the appropriate person if you are experiencing pain, and DON’T wait until the problem worsens.
By using a few simple modifications, anyone can create a healthier workspace!
You can find relief with PT
Have you been complaining of back, shoulder or neck pain or other bodily aches? Chances are, if you’ve been working in poorly designed areas, you could benefit from physical therapy and education on ergonomics. Request an appointment at Bridge Physical Therapy today, and let us assess your condition.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!