Anybody who works in an office has come to know the term ergonomics over the past decade. It has become an increasingly popular theme, especially when planning work stations. Many of us sit in those Star Trek-looking chairs and use other items that help streamline our work process. Ergonomics affects every part of our lives without many of us every really noticing.

It’s more than chairs and desks. There are products out there that can help you with everything from how you sleep to travelling, even playing video games. Most of these objects are listed in big catalogs and on web sites with little in the way of education and advice.

Of course, when you go to a site, you are reading all of these wonderful things about each item as the owner of those sites are trying to sell you that product. The question is whether that product you are reading about really what you are looking for and whether it does what it says it does. After all, the catalogs and sites are trying to “sell” the product and not necessarily take care of your need.

You can put your worries aside now. At www.ergonecessities.com, we have a web site where every item listed is recommended and endorsed by a Doctor of Chiropractic and Clinical Ergonomic Specialist. There are products and articles for each part of the body that can be affected, such as your knees, hips, spine, head and elbow. There is an interactive “body” where you scroll your mouse to the part that is bothering you. Click on that part and a slew of ideas will be right there at your fingertips.

With each item, there is a brief review and links to Amazon so you can purchase the product. A few examples of what you will find on the site are the Black Swopper Chair, the Rejuvenation Millet Pillow and the 3M Copy Holder and Flat Panel Mount. I fully endorse and recommend each of these products to help you with your individual needs.

I have over 20 years experience dealing with poor office work conditions and the use of ergonomics. I also bring almost 15 years of chiropractic experience with me to help you make the right choices in regards to ergonomic products.

I created this site to give you access to this knowledge and experience. These suggested products help you in being proactive in your work and life. The intention is to create more ease and less physical stress in your body as most musculoskeletal (upper and lower body) pain is preventable with the right ergonomics.

For further information about this topic, please contact Dr. Lynn Kerew directly at drlynn@lynnkerew.com or visit her website at http://www.lynnkerew.com.

In a previous post, we discussed eye fatigue and how the supplement Astaxanthin can help relieve some of the effects of long-time computer work or gaming. The human eye was not made to stare at a computer screen or television for extended periods of time. Furthermore, for those of us who work in a corporate setting, the fluorescent lighting we are subjected to can also create major problems with our eyes over time.

Another way to combat these issues is the use of GUNNAR eyewear from GUNNAR OPTIKS. According to research done by the company, “the digital user is more likely to spend four times as many hours interacting with a digital screen than interacting with direct sunlight.” This much exposure can not just cause eye strain. Headaches, dizziness, nausea and “spots” are also possible results from long-term digital use.

With GUNNAR eyewear, the user would expect to get a decrease in eye fatigue, less glare and reflective light from those fluorescent bulbs, higher contrast and visual resolution, better vision, a reduction in dry eyes associated with long term digital use and, of course, more effectiveness, productivity and better performance.

So how does GUNNAR do it? It is their proprietary i-AMP lens technology. This patent-pending research “is the result of intensive study and research on the human optical system and its interaction with digital devices at specific distances, and in specific types of light. Based on optometric principles developed over several years, and fused with the most recent scientific advances from the GUNNAR tech labs, i-AMP lens technology works with and enhances the properties of the human eye.”

GUNNAR glasses are built for people with 20/20 vision or those who wear contacts. They can cost anywhere from $79 – $189. The eyewear can be purchased at over 600 specialty retailers, university bookstores, electronic stores, authorized eye care providers as well as many places online. GUNNAR does offer a prescriptive lens program through eye care providers.

If you spend an excessive amount of time using a computer, video game, television or any other digital console, this is something to think about. Current customers include, gamers, programmers, office workers, students, creative artists, DJs and even the “Call of Duty 6: Modern Warfare” Director Keith Arem.

If you, or someone you love, are dealing with eye fatigue and headaches on a regular basis, this could be a very cost-effective way at handling the problem. When you factor in the time lost, the lack of productivity, the money spent on medication and even doctor visits, these glasses are certainly worth a look.

To obtain your own pair of Gunnar glasses please go to http://www.gunnars.com and key in ERGO10 to obtain 10% off the retail price of the glasses of your choice

For further information about this topic, please contact Dr. Lynn Kerew directly at drlynn@lynnkerew.com or visit her website at http://www.lynnkerew.com.

*Quotes are used from GUNNAR Optiks material.

Ergonomics has become a hot topic over the last decade. Studies have shown that it can have a major impact on the productivity of a corporation. If employees use workstations that are not properly designed, eye-strain, headaches, muscle fatigue as well as other aches and pains can become factors in the effectiveness of the workforce. These issues can cause a decrease in morale and motivation.  Eventually it could cause injury or illness. Proper ergonomics can help limit the physical strain put on employees while they are working.  As the strain decreases, morale and motivation will increase, as well as productivity.

Offices require people to conform to their working environment. The placement of their computer, desk design, chair style and space (or lack thereof) affects ergonomic conditions. To add to these issues, people come in different shapes and sizes, and in most cases, the workstation does not cater to the individual needs of the employee. This is how injuries and illnesses can result. Employees that are either larger or taller than the desk and chair are designed for must put more strain on their backs and limbs to accommodate the problem. That damage could lead to missed days at work, slowing productivity. Most manufacturing companies that supply ergonomic workstations and chairs have created models to fit the “big and tall” world.

According to The Swedish Work Environment Authority (their version of OSHA) in a study published in June, 2006:

 Physical strain is the commonest cause of reported work injuries, accounting for 34 per cent of all work accidents and work-related illnesses reported (40% for women, 29% for men). Musculoskeletal factors are the cause of nearly six out of every ten reported work illnesses for both sexes, while stress, organisational or other mental cause account for three out of ten reports for women and roughly one in six for men. Physical overstrain accounts for three out of ten reports of work accidents entailing absence for women and one in six for men.            

….ergonomics-related injuries still account for one third of all workplace injuries, and they result in the longest absences from work – a median of 27 days in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome.   Puget Sound Business Journal, April 6-12, 2001

 According to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OHSA), 1.8 million workers have musculoskeletal injuries related to ergonomic factors, and 600,000 people miss some work each year because of them.  The Seattle Times, November 12, 2000

 One thing that can have an immediate impact is posture. When sitting at a desk, your back should be straight with your shoulders over your hips. Both feet should be flat on the ground. This tends to be an issue because not all people sit in a chair where their feet reach the floor. In these situations, a foot rest is the answer.

 Adding a foot rest to a work station can improve comfort and posture, as well as improve circulation to the lower legs. A foot rest can also allow a shorter person to use a standard height chair. Rocking models allow movement of the feet, increasing circulation and reducing fatigue.  A foot rest literally forces your back, legs and torso into the correct posture.

An adjustable footrest is helpful because it can be repositioned to the height of the chair.  The top should have a tread that will keep feet from sliding. Attention to the height of the rest is imperative. If too high, it can position the hips and the spine at a bad angle.  Tall people run into this issue. It puts undue pressure on the spine that can run up the shoulders and down the limbs. Over the course of time, this could create serious health issues for a person working in this environment.

The foot rest should be centered under the desk. The feet should rest on it while the back is supported by the back of the chair. If the footrest is too high, it may work better if it is pushed further under the desk. Not every person needs a foot rest. If the chair used fits properly and the person’s feet can lay flat on the floor, a foot rest is not necessary.

Ergonomics has quickly become an integral part of the workplace. Proper ergonomic techniques can help increase productivity decrease injury costs. Something as simple as purchasing foot rests for all employees could both save and benefit the organization over the long run. Proper ergonomic techniques can help limit fatigue and improve employee morale and motivation.

For further information about this topic, please contact Dr. Lynn Kerew directly at drlynn@lynnkerew.com or visit her website at http://www.lynnkerew.com.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work and half of all working Americans admit to having back pain each year. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic in nature and not caused by serious conditions. According to a 2006 survey over 40 million Americans work year in and year out in cubicles.

With the economy in its current state and interest in preventive care getting a big push from the Obama Administration’s health care reform, more and more people are concerned about cutting down on healthcare costs. Dr. Kerew advises engaging in a few simple activities to keep people from missing work due to a history of bad ergonomics at the workplace. This includes how we sit, how we type, how we exercise and stretch those parts of our bodies under the most duress at work: our eyes, wrists, shoulders, feet, neck and back. This focus on preventive medicine is essential to increasing productivity while greatly reducing health care costs that can accrue from prescription pain medications or even surgery.

Dr. Lynn utilizes the Insight Subluxation Station to provide State-Of -The-Art Surface Thermography and Surface EMG visual back scans for the employees quarterly along with lunchtime talks on health and fitness. This provides objective and visual information to the employees about the cause of any postural imbalance, pain or stiffness they may be experiencing. She works side by side with EA’s fitness center director and personal trainers. This provides the employee with comprehensive fitness and chiropractic care to meet the challenging needs of long hours at the computer to hammer out the tough deadlines and stress each employee faces with being in a fast paced competitive company like EA. “Working at a computer all day can wreak havoc on the human body over time,” said Dr. Kerew. “The human body was not designed to sit in one place all day, but often our careers demand that we do, so I usually provide a number of recommendations for my patients to keep them out of pain and functional ranging from unsound habitual personal habits (keeping a wallet in back pocket or carrying a heavy purse) to more sustainable work, sleep and leisure ergonomics. Often I will suggest my favorite types of ergonomic/postural support products.” Dr. Kerew’s Advice on daily work habits:

• Move! — At least once an hour get up from whatever you are doing and go somewhere else for 5 minutes, whether it’s to the bathroom, the water cooler, a colleague’s office or for a lap around the office. Your body was designed to move; denying it this can result in painful consequences.
• Sit up straight – slouching in your chair all day is one of the worst things you can do. Remember to sit up straight, try to use a chair with no arms so you can sit as close to the desk as possible; this keeps you from having to lean towards your keyboard. A simple foot rest can help too.
• Look around – Staring at a computer screen too long is bad for your eyes and can contribute to slouching. Be sure to look around and focus on other objects in your environment from time to time. A glare screen or special computer glasses can help reduce the strain on your eyes as well.

Dr. Lynn Kerew, D.C., M.P.H. is the founder of Lynn Kerew Chiropractic A.P.C. located in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Lynn Kerew, D.C. , M.P.H. is a graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, CA where she was nominated for Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health (M.P.H.) from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Baccalaureate degree (B.S.) in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dr. Kerew is a member of the International Chiropractic Association, the California Chiropractic Association and Chiropractic Leadership Alliance. She is the official chiropractor of citymommy.com. For more practical tips on ergonomics and preventive pain management check out www.lynnkerew.com