Sunday, June 23, 2013

Computer Workers Benefit and Possible Drawbacks from Keyboard Wrist Rest

Computer Workers Benefit from Keyboard Wrist Rest

For those who work at computers all the time, one of the best pieces of equipment to have is a good keyboard wrist rest. They can help to prevent repetitive stress injuries and even carpal tunnel syndrome. These wrist rests are designed in such a way that they keep the wrists from being able to bend backwards while users are typing or using the mouse. They help to take some of the pressure from the shoulders and provide a softer surface for the wrist to lie on.

Possible Drawbacks


First of all, there are a few drawbacks to some keyboard wrist rests that you need to be aware of. In some cases, if the rest is too high or thick, it can cause the wrist to flex forward, which can be damaging. For rests that come with sharper edges, they can end up being uncomfortable. In some cases, certain designs of wrist rests can actually cause pressure on the carpal tunnel, leading to median nerve compression. These are just a few drawbacks that you'll want to watch out for when considering a wrist rest for your keyboard. With many different designs on the market, careful shopping will allow you to choose the right wrist rest.




Causes of Stress at Work – Could It Be Your Workstation Set-Up?

When you think of your workstation set-up, you probably think of where your phone, your stapler, your personal items, and maybe where your coffee cup sit. You probably don’t think much about whether your computer workstation is set up for the a little or a lot of stress. There’s more to stress at work than just the demands of your productivity.  Just sitting at a computer all day can give your body a tremendous amount of stress if not set up properly. Stress on your neck, shoulders, back, elbows, forearms, wrists, and hands are all part of a poorly aligned computer workstation.  The way you sit and use your computer can cause chronic pain and stress. That tight neck and aching shoulders could be coming from the way you sit and use your computer rather than mental stress and strain. This stress and strain can be a big drain on your productivity and on your physical well-being.

To ease the physical stress on your body during work, make sure you workstation is set to provide you the best ergonomic environment. 

Your monitor should sit centered so your eyes focus on the top of the monitor, about arm's length away. Place you keyboard in the center.

Your desk should be about belly button height.  Usually this is between twenty and twenty-eight inches from the floor. If you have a fixed desk height, you may consider using a keyboard tray to place your keyboard and mouse at the proper height for optimal ergonomics.  Also make sure there is sufficient space under your desk for your legs to be in a comfortable position no matter which way you are sitting. Minimum under desk clearance for your legs should be fifteen inches from your knees. Making a few simple changes to your desk can produce a much more comfortable and less stressful work environment.

Avoid glass desktops or any finish that could cause a glare. Even a small amount of glare at your workstation can place undue stress on your eyes.

Your chair should allow your knees to be at ninety degree angles with feet flat on the floor and should allow you to sit up straight with sufficient back support.

Just following these simple set-up rules will reduce stress on you upper body. Check your workstation and make adjustments as recommended. You’ll be pleasantly rewarded with less stress. Contact us if you would like personal Ergonomic assessment of your workstation.





Is Your Workstation Set-up Causing Neck and Shoulder Pain Check Your Set Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g



The set-up of your workstation may be the root of your neck and shoulder discomfort. If your workstation does not allow for these simple keys to an ergonomic supporting workstation, make the changes needed today.

If the height of your desk doesn’t match the height at which you are sitting, you are probably raising your shoulders constantly as you work.  As desk that is too high will cause you to raise your shoulders to prop on the desk.  This results in strain and pain.  Also a desk that is too low can have you stretching and reaching and constantly looking down as you work, resulting once again in shoulder and neck pain.

Your monitor position should be exactly at eye level. This will keep you from continually looking up or down causing unnecessary stress on your neck and shoulders. If you need to raise your monitor to reach the proper height, a monitor stand is a great solution.

Your head and neck staying in line with your body can help eliminate the neck and shoulder pain you are feeling. The right office chair will give you the support you need to keep your back in the right positions to help support the best posture for your upper body. 


Awkward positions can cause stress on your neck, shoulders, and spine. Choosing the right workstation and equipment will help eliminate the chance of lasting neck and shoulder pain.

www.ergonomicworks.com

Saturday, June 22, 2013

How to Reduce a Common Shoulder Discomfort:


How to Reduce a Common Shoulder Discomfort:

Cradling the telephone handset between your shoulder and ear can result in shoulder discomfort. A Plantronics headset eliminates the need to hold the telephone in this uncomfortable position. Your shoulders can stay completely relaxed as you enjoy a new level of comfort and freedom.

Reduce Neck Aches: 

Squeezing the telephone between your shoulder and ear can be very stressful on your neck, often causing muscle spasms and stiffness. With a Plantronics headset you can keep your neck in an upright position. You'll appreciate the difference immediately.

Increase Blood Flow and Reduce Muscle Fatigue:

Craning your neck during extended phone calls can lead to improper cervical alignment. The result can be reduced blood flow and accelerated muscle fatigue. Plantronics headsets help to eliminate this problem by freeing you to move and sit more naturally.

Increase Productivity:

By making your workstation more comfortable and by freeing up your hands for other tasks, you'll find that you can get more work done each day.

Reduce Workers' Compensation Costs:

Headsets are known to reduce the chances of work-related physical disorders, specifically injuries of the neck and upper body, resulting in reduced workers' compensation costs

 Visit our website , we can help you.

www.ergonomicworks.com


Why Ergonomic/ Ergonomic Video Training


Please watch and share the video if you find this training interesting.

Thank you so much
www.ergonomicworks.com 

Stretching and strengthening at your workstation will help you to prevent work injury

Repetitive Strain Injury

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a potentially debilitating condition resulting from overusing the hands to perform a repetitive task, such as typing, clicking a mouse, or writing. Anyone who uses a computer regularly is at risk and should know about RSI. Unfortunately, most people are uninformed and do not understand what RSI is or how serious it can be. This webpage is intended to educate computer users about RSI, and to provide useful suggestions for prevention and treatment. Much of the information provided here is also relevant for RSIs derived from other activities such as playing an instrument, gaming, or any other repetitive task. The page additionally contains a few specific pieces of advice for students.


As with all health-related issues, it is wise to eat well, exercise, listen to your body, and avoid destructive behavior. However, there are some specific precautions you can take to help prevent the onset of RSI.


In this section I offer some specific recommendations for stretching and strengthening exercises that have helped me. These fall under the category of prevention as well as recovery. Most of them you can easily do in your office during breaks. Contact Ergonomicworks if you need further individual assistance. Or if you feel on of the following:
  • Avoid using the injured hand?
  • Use your nondominant hand more frequently?
  • Use your forearm, feet, or shoulder to open doors?
  • Avoid wearing or buying certain kinds of clothing because it is too difficult to put them on?
  • Change shopping habits because you can't carry as much as he wants could?
  • Keep dropping things?
  • Find you can't chop food?
  • Not play sports you once enjoyed?
  • Have trouble hooking bras or putting on jewelry?
  • Not wear bracelets because your wrists are tender?
  • Have trouble with keys or brushing teeth?
  • Feel overly protective of your hands?

                     Ergonomic Educational Video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78
                                                         www.ergonomicworks.com

Laptop Ergonomics-Tips for Relaxed and safe positions

Position the laptop and keyboard at elbow height, and keep your wrists straight while keying.

Experiment with table and chair height as well as Laptop Ergonomics keyboard angle to maintain neutral wrist positions.

Keep your head and neck in a relaxed posture; avoid excessive neck flexion or rotation.

Schedule mini-breaks every 20 to 30 minutes to avoid repetition and static positions.

If you have to raise your chair, use a footrest to support your feet. When seated your hips should be slightly higher than your knees.

Add an external Laptop Ergonomic keyboard and place it on an adjustable Laptop Ergonomicskeyboard/mouse platform.

Attach an external Laptop Ergonomics mouse instead of using the small constricted touchpad or trackball.

If you are sitting in a side chair or couch, use a pillow to support your arms while keying.

Avoid resting your wrists while typing. Keep your wrists as flat as possible. Use whole hand and arm movements to navigate the Laptop Ergonomics keyboard. 

Avoid bending your neck and head forward to see the screen. This is the way to arrange your seating posture to avoid Ergonomic Laptop disorders.

        Clean the screen regularly using appropriate anti static cleaning fluid.

Your hands and wrists should be kept in a straight wrist posture when typing and should not be resting on a palm rest, table or lap while typing. This can cause you Ergonomics Laptop disorders.

Place the Laptop on a stand, book or other surface that raises it to a height that you can see the screen without having to bend or rotate your neck.
These are only basic idea on how you can protect yourself from ergonomic injury. Allow our company to help up you and your family.


www.ergonomicworks.com


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78

Thank you
Azi