Simple solutions the best for pain in the neck

Relieving pain in the neck ...

"It might just be that the most effective solutions to a pain in the neck are the simplest. According to a University of Alberta-led task force assigned the job of finding the best way to take the sting out of neck pain, the often debilitating ailment's best treatment is still more closely associated with a loving spouse's neck rub than anything the advancements of modern medicine have to offer.

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders reports that some alternative therapies such as acupuncture, neck manipulation and massage are better choices for managing most common neck pain than many current practices. Also included in the short-list of best options for relief are exercise, education, low-level laser therapy and pain relievers.

"The evidence shows there are a relatively small number of therapies that provide some relief for a while, but there is no one best option for everyone," said Linda Carroll, U of A professor of epidemiology and task-force principal investigator. "Everything works a little, everything seems to work the same, and different things work for different people."

This international, multi-disciplinary task force that reports to the U of A's School of Public Health scoured 32,000 citations and performed appraisals of more than 1,200 research studies in a seven-year review to pinpoint the best research evidence to prevent, diagnose and manage neck pain.

"One of the things people used to think was that these musculoskeletal disorders would go away and go away really quickly, but the truth is they are often persistent and recurrent," said Carroll. "About 30-50 per cent of us have had neck pain in the past year. That's a lot, but most of us can carry on our activities as usual."

"Still, one or two people in 20 have significantly limiting neck pain."

Research recently published as a supplement in the journal Spine shows that a neck pain sufferer's best option is a combination of therapies, and that short episodes of care appear to be just as helpful as longer episodes.

"People have to understand that pain relief from these interventions is often modest and often short lived," said Carroll."    (Continued via PhysOrg)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Don't let that mouse get you by the tail

Avoiding RSI with mouse use ...

"It may be one of the smallest things on your desk, but your computer mouse is also one of the most likely to cause you pain and injury.

I've had many clients come to me complaining of "mousing" pain. Despite the recent focus in the workplace on ergonomics, the fact of the matter is that computers just weren't designed with the human body in mind. The way a mouse is used, with arm stretched out in front of you, moving to and fro, isn't kind on the body, particularly when this posture is held for several hours a day.

Though many people are now using ergonomic mouses, these really don't do much good if they are improperly placed within the workstation. Usually, the mouse is placed on a pad on the desk, which means that to reach it, you reach or lean forward. This posture places stress on the joints and muscles of the neck, shoulder, arm, wrist and hand, as well as irritating the mid and lower back. This reaching posture also results in a forward rotation of the shoulder joint. Often, if a mouse is placed too high or too low, weight is transferred onto the shoulder and arm of the side with which you use the mouse, which places an increased pressure on those joints and muscles, often resulting in imbalances which cause pain and discomfort.

In my experience, symptoms of improper mouse use are many. Obviously, pain is usually worsened by computer use, and discomfort is often felt in the hand, wrist, forearm, shoulder or neck. Stiffness, muscle soreness and other symptoms may be present in the shoulder, neck or back.

Whether or not these problems sound familiar, it is important to think about how your workstation is set up. There are some simple changes that can be made which will greatly reduce the chance of mouse-related injury and which may help decrease symptoms if they are already present.

1. Try getting a platform for your mouse, similar to the ones many people use for keyboards. If you already use a keyboard tray, make sure the mouse is on the same level; don't position it so you need to reach up and beyond the keyboard to use the mouse.

2. Keep the mouse as close to the body as possible. Your arm should be relaxed and your elbow close to your side. Avoid reaching forward or up for the mouse. In order to do this, the arms on your chair may need to be adjustable.

3. Instead of using your wrist to move the mouse, which can cause irritation and injury in the joint, allow movement to flow through the shoulder and arm."    (Continued via Ottawa Business Journal)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomics Behind the Wheel

Avoiding RSI while driving ...

"February 29, 2008 is International RSI Awareness Day, a day devoted to acknowledging the cause of over 39,000 workplace injuries in Ontario.(1) Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs), also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), are commonly associated with employees at desk jobs, but affect people in all professions and walks of life. Risks of developing MSDs are all around us, even in our car.

Over 8.8 million drivers travel along Ontario roads.(2) Our roads are filled with daily commuters, transport workers, people traveling to vacation destinations, or running daily errands.

Sitting in a moving vehicle can be hazardous to your health and can contribute to the development of MSDs. Typical problems from frequent driving include neck, back, and shoulder pain, cramps, poor circulation in the legs and buttocks, and a long-term potential for degeneration of spinal discs and disc herniation.

Pain and injury is preventable. The first step is recognizing the risk factors in your daily activities. The main risk factors for developing an MSD include awkward postures, excessive force, vibration, and repetition or long duration of exposure.

To identify whether you are at risk, ask yourself the following questions:

- Do you slouch when you drive?
- Does your low back get good support?
- Do you drive for two hours or more at a time?
- Do you stay in the very same position for long periods of time?
- Do you work in your vehicle?
- Do you have to bend and twist to lift things out of your vehicle?
- Do you have to lift heavy items out of your vehicle?
- Do you have to push or pull heavy items soon after driving?
- Is the vehicle maintenance, such as the suspension wheel conditions contributing to vibration?
- Is the seat designed to minimize the impact of vibration on your body?

Individuals at the highest risk for developing a driving related MSD include truck drivers, paramedics, heavy equipment operators, taxi and limousine drivers, bus drivers, forklift operators, farmers, delivery/courier people, traveling sales people, weekly cottage-goers, and commuters." (Continued via CNW Group) [Ergonomics Resources]

Pain in the back: Sit properly-

Creating awareness of ergonomic computer equipment ...

"Last week, I came across an interesting press release. Not that most of them aren’t. But this one caught my attention. It dealt with an issue which may be known in India but is hardly acknowledged as a health hazard, leave alone taking corrective steps. The release pointed out how some big companies such as Microsoft Hardware, Logitech and GE Healthcare have launched campaigns to create awareness about the importance of ergonomically-designed computer products.

Microsoft, for instance, is staging street plays in key commercial places across 12 cities to educate people about the harms of using traditional computer keyboards and mice and the need to begin using ergonomically-designed ones. Interestingly, a recent Microsoft study that measured the computer usage patterns of 88 participants over nine months found that computer users strike the keyboard space bar an average of 669 times per hour of active computer use!

A smart jugglery of numbers? Another marketing ploy? Actually not. Yes, most of us spend hours on the computer, not pausing once to think that it could be dangerous. But the fact is that many of us unknowingly suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) — which is getting common among computer users. One of the main causes of MSDs is repetitive motion which leads to repetitive strain injury (RSI) — a potentially debilitating condition resulting from overusing the hands to perform a repetitive task such as typing, writing or clicking a mouse.

As for health hazards, pain in the neck and back, sleeplessness, irritability and anxiety are the common problems associated with wrong postures, while the serious ones could include spondylosis and severe back pain.

And mind you, this is not just a casual observation. Stats back up the seriousness of the problem: Studies estimate that up to 15-25% of the workforce is affected by posture and back-related problems at any given point in time across the globe. Further, over 500 million man hours are lost every year in the US alone due to posture and ergonomics problems."    (Continued via The Economic Times)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomical Mouse, Also Fits Lefties

A new ergonomic mouse solution also for left handed users ...

"The Switch Mouse from Humanscale can be adjusted in a large number of ways to fit your hand, providing both left- and right-handed users with the closest fit possible. Wired praises the product for its 'forward-thinking, ergonomically flawless design'. Strangely, though the mouse's physical ergomomical properties are great, according to Wired the tactile properties of the click buttons and scroll-wheel-like four-way button leave to be desired. A good illustration that ergonomics is about more than just the physical fit of the product. In addition, the aesthetics of the product seem somewhat polarizing: Wired dislikes the design, while others praise it. There's more to ergonomics than just ergonomics."    (Continued via the product usability weblog)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Switch Mouse

New Michigan Ergonomics Rules Could Soon Become Law

The problem of getting ergonomics laws passed ...

"Michigan could not adopt rules creating workplace ergonomic standards if a bill passed by the Senate, SB843, approved on a 21-17 straight party line vote Wednesday, becomes law.

The bill seeks to shortchange discussions that have been ongoing for some years on developing a proposal that would set standards on ergonomic furniture and equipment in workplaces to help prevent and minimize injuries from repetitive stress injuries.

The General Industry Safety Standards Commission and the Occupational Health Standards Commission are reviewing the potential rules, now on draft 15.

Business groups have stridently opposed the rules, arguing they would discourage businesses from locating or staying in the state.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Buzz Thomas (D-Detroit) said if the state passes the bill it could potentially be in violation of federal workplace safety rules. The state has to have rules that are at least in conformity with federal rules, he said, and if the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration adopted ergonomic rules then Michigan could be in violation because of legislation blocking any rules on ergonomics.

But Sen. Alan Sanborn (R-Richmond), sponsor of the bill, said that excess regulations are one reason that Michigan is less attractive to businesses. Union leaders, trial lawyers and Governor Jennifer Granholm all want ergonomic regulations, he said."    (Continued via Michigan Technology News)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Comfortable Portable Computing: The Ergonomic Equation

Guidelines for comfortable portable computing ...

"... While experts predict a steady increase in notebook sales through the end of 2010, consumers often don’t consider the compromises in comfort that are made when using such a computer. Based on academic research and years of manufacturing experience, Ergotron has published a white paper, Comfortable Portable Computing: The Ergonomic Equation, aimed at providing valuable, easy-to-use guidelines to help people achieve comfortable, more productive portable computing.

Using a portable computer improperly can increase one’s risk of future health problems from neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. “The purpose of the white paper is to educate people on the risks associated with portable computing, and to let them know that they don’t have to jeopardize their health and well-being when using a portable,” explained Pete Segar, Senior Vice President of Engineering and CTO of Ergotron. By applying basic principles set forth Ergotron’s “Ergonomic Equation,” anyone can achieve comfortable computing.

The Ergonomic Equation consists of three simple considerations: Neutral Posture, Voluntary Motion and Restorative Time.

First, one must consider Neutral Posture, which is the position the human body assumes naturally and comfortably. It expends the smallest amount of energy and results in the least amount of bodily stress and related fatigue.

The second consideration is Voluntary Motion, which works in conjunction with neutral posture toward maintaining a body in balance with itself and its surroundings. It refers to movements the body makes naturally to prevent strain and fatigue.

Finally, Restorative Time balances stressful activities with restorative activities. These could include a variety of actions, such as a walk to the water fountain, or deep-breathing exercises practiced periodically throughout the day."    (Continued via Ergotron)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomics and Employee Satisfaction

Ergonomics can make for happy employees ...

"In most contact centers, it is far more cost-effective for employers to retain a good agent than to recruit a replacement. Therefore, keeping employee satisfaction and morale at a good level is a common business goal.

Many companies are providing ergonomically optimized workstations that reduce the high levels of discomfort and tension that often cause agents to move away from their workstation.

Agents will seldom come right out and say to the management team, “My work space stinks!” What you will hear are subtle statements (okay, sometimes not so subtle) like “I don’t have any storage space.” Or “I don’t have anywhere to put my important papers.” Or “I don't have enough desk space to complete all my assignments.”

When Response Design conducts contact center audits, we always ask agents, “Is your workspace big enough for the big job you do?” We ask the question this way because we have found it opens them up to all the workspace issues.

The agents seldom answer with size concerns. Instead they usually start talking about layout, lack of storage, privacy issues, noise, personalization and/or security issues.

By paying attention to these remarks, a company can achieve multiple objectives by enhancing agents¹ sense of value to the corporation, reducing stress and emotional fatigue, reducing sick leave and absenteeism and making employees more positive about the time they spend at the contact center.

These intangibles contribute to the fiscal performance of the company.

Are your agents at ergonomic risk? They may be if they are experiencing any of these common symptoms:

* Headaches
* Blurred vision
* Slowness in focusing (distant to near and back)
* Double vision
* Eyestrain (sore eyes or eye fatigue)
* Eye irritation (burning, dryness, and redness)
* Sensitivity to light
* Neck and shoulder pain
* Back pain"    (Continued via Multichannel Merchant)    [Ergonomics Resources]

7-year neck pain study sheds light on best care

Alternative approaches to manage neck pain ...

"A seven-year, international study published today finds that some alternative therapies such as acupuncture, neck manipulation and massage are better choices for managing most common neck pain than many current practices. Also included in the short-list of best options for relief are exercises, education, neck mobilization, low level laser therapy and pain relievers.

Therapies such as neck collars and ultrasound are not recommended. The study found that corticosteroid injections and surgery should only be considered if there is associated pain, weakness or numbness in the arm, fracture or serious disease.

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders 236 page review of the current research on neck pain is published in the journal Spine. The multi-national and inter-disciplinary study team included Canadian, American, South American, Australasian and European researchers. The Task Force was created to help neck pain sufferers and health professionals use the best research evidence to prevent, diagnose and manage neck pain.

"Neck pain is not a trivial condition for many people," says Task Force president Dr. Scott Haldeman, clinical professor, department of neurology at the University of California, Irvine; and adjunct professor, department of epidemiology University of California Los Angeles. "It can be associated with headaches, arm and upper back pain and depression. Whether it arises from sports injuries, car collisions, workplace issues or stress, it can be incapacitating. Understanding the best way to diagnose and manage this problem is of high importance for those who are suffering and for those who manage and pay for its care."

The study found that neck pain is a widespread experience that is a persistent and recurrent condition for the majority of sufferers. It is disabling for approximately two out of every 20 people who experience neck pain and affects their ability to carry on with daily activities says the Task Force.

A key recommendation of the Task Force is that neck pain, including whiplash-related pain, be classified and treated in a common system of 4 grades:

Grade 1: neck pain with little or no interference with daily activities
Grade 2: neck pain that limits daily activities
Grade 3: neck pain accompanied by radiculopathy ("pinched nerve" -- pain weakness and/or numbness in the arm)
Grade 4: neck pain with serious pathology, such as tumor, fracture, infection, or systemic disease."    (Continued via EurekaAlert)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Remember when we all talked about ergonomics?

More attention being given to ergonomics ...

"Whatever happened to ergonomics?" Florida business consultant Tim Bryce titled an essay he wrote two years ago.

The question still lingers. It's rare to spot one of those odd-looking chairs where you sit and kneel at the same time. And who talks anymore about carpal tunnel syndrome, the scourge of offices in the '80s and '90s?

It hasn't been forgotten, say researchers, business officials and health care professionals.

Companies, particularly large ones, have made strides - not always using the most expensive or highest-tech equipment - to update offices so workers are less likely to contract back or neck injuries. Critics, though, aren't so sure.

"I do think the word is getting out," said James Bliss, an associate professor of psychology who directs the doctoral program in human factors and ergonomics at Old Dominion University. "Most businesses have started to acknowledge the importance of it."

Dan MacLeod, an ergonomic consultant outside New York, said: "Ten years ago, in most of the companies where I worked, I had to explain to employees what ergonomics was. Now when I say I'm the ergonomics guy, they generally know what I'm looking at."

Ergonomics underwent "a long developmental period" and has reached "late adolescence," said Maury Nussbaum, a professor of industrial and systems engineering at Virginia Tech.

"You have a lot of basic research happening at the universities," he said. "That's slowly starting to filter out to applications in the workplace."

Businesspeople point to declines in the incidence of workplace injuries as proof they're serious about ergonomics."    (Continued via PilotOnline)    [Ergonomics Resources]

ErgoMan

10 Steps for Avoiding Repetitive Strain Pain

Tips for avoiding low back pain ...

"In November 2007, the National Athletic Trainers' Association published "10 Steps to Combat Low Back Pain". Causes of low back pain include the stressors of poor posture, unusual movement or activities, or even a sedentary lifestyle. This press release outlined a plan to prevent low back pain with a general conditioning, strengthening and healthy living program.

These same 10 steps can be just as important in combating the mechanical stressors and pain that occur from computer and desk work. By slightly modifying these steps, you can avoid the stresses that put you at risk for repetitive injuries such as carpal tunnel and tendinitis. Here are the 10 steps with my adjustments and explanations made for the computer athlete.

* Identify Negative Stresses - Computer and desk-work related stressors often include a poor ergonomic set-up that leads to a forward head posture and rounded shoulders. These postures place tension on the nerves as they exit the cervical spine and tighten the chest muscles while weakening and stretching the back muscles. Learn more about ergonomics and efficient work postures at the computer and at your desk.

Perfect Posture - The Basics

* Make Yourself Mobile - Tight muscles can start pinching nerves and cause postural imbalance leading to muscular tension or "knots". Stretch the muscles that tend to tighten while working at the computer and at the desk. For computer workers, some of the most important muscles to stretch include the chest muscles (the pecs) and the forearm muscles (turning palm-up, stretching the wrist forward, and pulling the wrist back). Think of the position that you are in while at your computer and stretch frequently into the opposite direction.

* Increase Strength - Strengthening the core muscles and the back muscles can help promote postural balance and alleviate some of the problems often associated with forward head and rounded shoulder positioning.

* Perform 20 Minutes of Aerobic Exercise Daily- Aerobic activity increases the blood flow to muscles improving the oxygen flow and healing ability of the body's tissues. Aerobic activities improve muscular endurance and general cardiovascular fitness. Aerobic activity also increases the production of serotonin, the body's natural stress reliever.

* Pay Attention to Posture - Ergonomic adjustments to your computer and work stations will improve your posture and help you avoid muscular imbalances that can often lead to repetitive strain injuries.

Ergonomics - Improving Posture

* Sit Up Straight - Adjust the chair, the keyboard and mouse height and position, and the monitor height per ergonomic guidelines to improve comfort and reduce body stressors while working. (Modified from "Stand Up Straight" in the original article)."    (Continued via BellaOnline, Marji Hajic)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Fit the workspace to the worker, not the worker to the workspace

Fitting an ergonomic workplace ...

"Part of what I do in my job is space planning for businesses. Employers are increasingly aware that addressing ergonomics in the workplace improves worker efficiency and staff morale, as well as decreasing absenteeism and reducing the risk of workplace injury.

This prompts the question: what is ergonomics?

Ergonomics in business can best be explained as the science of fitting the work or workspace to the worker, rather than forcing the worker to fit the space.

Demands on workers have changed. Where once staff members manually performed tasks, the use of computers, along with task-specific software, has increased efficiency, which, in turn, has increased the volume of work an employee can accomplish. With these advances in technology, workers are now expected to perform a larger variety of tasks, which increases the necessity for a well-organized workspace.

In addition to increasing efficiencies, often the Internet and electronic datamanagement systems have allowed electronic documents to replace paper reference materials. If those paper reference materials still need to exist, they usually can exist in storage or outside the primary work area.

During the process of organizing space, and while venturing through different businesses, I get to look into other people's work habits. I am no longer surprised by the number of times file cabinets, desk drawers and boxes found in the workspace are full of the odds and ends of previous inhabitants. The current inhabitant is forced to work around the debris.

When asked, the individual currently occupying the workspace, sometimes for many years, often tells me that items and files that clutter his or her area were created by the previous person in the position and that he or she is not sure of their purpose. The impression is that the previous occupant kept the items because they were perceived to have value, so the person currently in the position has an aversion to disposing of them, even though they have no apparent use.

These frequent experiences are what cause me to go back to my own office and toss out anything that is not immediately relevant to my job. My motto: "If in doubt, throw it out." This practice makes for an efficient workspace, although on occasion it has its setbacks, such as disposing of the odd piece of pertinent material. Fortunately, thanks to the increased use of technology, and with enough scrambling, I am usually able to recover copies.

While having our own clutter around us gives us a sense of security, it stands to reason that having someone else's left-over clutter would play on our insecurities by never allowing us to take ownership of our job, and would contribute to a stressful situation. The result of stress is strain. It could be the psychological strain of an unsettled workplace, resulting in low morale and lowered productivity, or physical strain from improper reaching or lifting, which can result in lost work time. Physical strain can also reduce the body's resistance to illness, or affect the immune system, which increases employee absenteeism.

While increased productivity is the incentive for employers to encourage safe work practices, it is the individual worker's responsibility to arrange his or her work environment in a way that means less exposure to strain."    (Continued via The Whig Standard)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Human Factors: To Compete or Cooperate?

HF plays role in many diverse industries. This article discusses HF in the process industry ...

"Human factors engineering is a major issue in the process industries—big enough that there are now two separate organizations on the case.

Is there any better indicator that an industry is grappling with a complex problem than when competing companies form a consortium to solve it? There must be a great deal of work to do, then, in the process industries, because there are now two consortia addressing similar issues. In both groups, human factors engineers are playing a central role in defining how future process operations will integrate people and technology to maximize plant safety and productivity.

Like much of the world, the process industries have undergone remarkable changes as a consequence of the microprocessor revolution. The distributed control systems, or DCS, introduced in the mid-1970s allowed for the control of large process installations (think refineries, power plants, and heavy manufacturing) by small, centrally located operations teams. Replacing individual regulatory controllers, the DCS integrated multiple controllers into schemes of increasing complexity, governed by advanced computation, logic, and sequential commands.

... The problem with the "human error" attribution, however, is that blaming humans for technology failures leaves engineers with little insight into how to design alternative human-technology systems that are more resistant to failure. It is, therefore, no surprise that human factors specialists in a leading control system vendor pushed for engineering solutions to the problem of human error in the process industries."    (Continued via Mechanical Engineering Magazine)    [Ergonomics Resources]

HEALTH MATTERS: Ergonomics -- Avoiding injury in workplace

Avoiding RSI injuries in the workplace ...

"Each year, thousands of Americans miss work due to sprains and strains caused by repeating the same motion over and over again.

Whether reaching for the computer mouse, typing on a keyboard or sitting in a chair too long, repetitive actions can lead to small injuries that too often lead to larger injuries. Put another way: Cumulative micro- trauma leads to macro-trauma. And macro- trauma leads to days away from work.

However, repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, neck pain and shoulder pain can often be avoided with a few simple steps to improve the ergonomic conditions of the workspace.

In fact, if an office is set up properly, it can be a win-win for the employee and the employer. When employees feel better and avoid injury, employers pay less in worker’s compensation and have better productivity rates.

Let’s start with the computer, as more and more workers are using computers to do their jobs. Neck injuries often occur when a computer monitor is too high or too low. Either the employee is constantly looking up or constantly looking down. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the first line of print is at about eye level.

Second, for employees who read a lot of documents, a document holder is a must in avoiding neck injuries. A holder helps workers keep their gaze ahead and avoid the need to repeatedly turn their heads and neck to look down. Reading and writing desks also are helpful in avoiding neck strain.

When it comes to typing, it is important to remember that a wrist rest is just that — a rest. Too often people plant their wrists on the rest, which does little good as wrists should be straight and actually floating in the air. The keyboard position should allow the forearms to be parallel to floor and the elbows to be keyboard height. Additionally, the mouse should be right next to the keyboard to eliminate the need to reach.

In order to ensure the keyboard is at elbow height, it may be necessary to raise the chair. In this case, employees need to make sure their feet aren’t dangling. Many people, however, will slide forward in their chairs, which leaves their back unsupported. A better approach would be using a footrest to prop up the feet. Footrests come in varying heights depending on how tall a person is. Those with grips tend to work a little better than those with a more slippery surface. Ultimately, when sitting in a chair, the knees should be even with the hips and the elbows should be even with the keyboard."    (Continued via Packet Online)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Pain-Free Mousing

Tips and tricks for mouse use without pain ...

"When performing ergonomic assessments, the main factors that I have found that contribute to mousing pain include:

* Mouse Positioning
* Mouse Movement
* Muscular Tension When Using the Mouse
* Forearm Positioning on the Mouse

Here are some tips to help reduce your risk of developing a repetitive strain injury or tendonitis from mouse use.

MOUSE POSITIONING

Causes of Pain

* Reaching forward for the mouse onto a desk that is higher than the keyboard.
* Reaching for a mouse placed to the far side of the keyboard.
* Planting the wrist down and swiveling the mouse using wrist motion.


Tips for Preventing Pain

* Position the mouse in a more comfortable and ergonomic location
o Use an attachable mouse holder that adjusts to fit over numerical key pad (if you do not use the 10-key) or as closely to it as possible.
o Or use a keyboard bridge over the numerical keys if you do not use the 10-key portion of the keyboard.
o Or use a keyboard station such as the Contour Roller Pro which has a rollerbar mouse that is positioned immediately below the space bar of the keyboard.

MOUSE MOVEMENT

Causes of Pain

* Excessive wrist or arm movement when activating the mouse.
* Planting the wrist down placing pressure against the carpal tunnel.
* The wrist bent backward (estended) when using the mouse.

Tips for Preventing Pain

* The mouse should be at about the same level of the keyboard and positioned as closely to the keyboard as possible.
* Avoid reaching forward, up, or out to the side when using the mouse. Position the mouse to avoid these movements (see mouse positioning tips).
* Activate the mouse by using small movements from the shoulder and elbow muscles rather than the wrist muscles.

Ergonomics

* Keep the shoulders relaxed.
* The elbow should be held loosely at the side in a direct line under the shoulder.
* The wrist should be held in a neutral position (not bent forward or back or angled to one side or the other).
* Do not plant the wrist down on that desk or on a wrist rest. Glide the wrist over surfaces always maintaining the neutral position."    (Continued via Bella Online, Marji Hajic)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Education Helps Back Pain Patients Return to Work Study Says

Learning to work with lower back pain ...

"Health care providers can implement intensive, individual educational sessions to help patients with short-term lower back pain return to work more quickly, new research suggests.

Researchers in the Netherlands conducted a systematic review by analyzing 24 studies of adults who experienced both short-term and chronic lower back pain. The studies used various forms of education, including discussions with health care providers, group classes, videos or written information, to help patients better understand and manage their back pain.

The analysis revealed that patients who experienced short-term lower back pain, and who received 2.5 hours of individual patient education sessions with a health care provider, were able to return to work faster than if they had received no education.

Such individual education sessions can help patients learn how to stay active, cope with back pain, avoid strains and reduce the risk of future back pain episodes. A well-educated patient, therefore, may be able to return to work more quickly.

For example, the research indicates that after 7 months, 60 percent of short-term back pain patients who did not receive education remained on sick leave, compared to the 30 percent who received educational sessions. Those who suffer from chronic back pain, however, are less likely to benefit from patient education.

“The main goal in the treatment of nonspecific low back pain is to stimulate the patient to remain or become more active despite the pain, in a time-contingent manner,” said lead reviewer Arno Engers. “Different interventions are advised, but the main goal in most cases is to change the orientation in the patient from a pain focus to an activity focus.”
Intensive Education in United States “Uncommon”

While Engers noted that the 2.5-hour sessions were most effective in helping short-term back pain patients return to work, he acknowledged that this much time usually is not devoted to individual patient education.

“To our knowledge, general practitioners have very limited time and it is presumed will take about 10 to 15 minutes for a total consultation, patient education included,” Engers said. “An extra problem in individual patient education is that it’s often not seen as an ‘intervention’ at all, not by physical therapists, or by patients or health insurance institutes."    (Continued via Occupational Hazards)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Getting rid of the aches and pains

Students vulnerable to MSD too ...

?As students, we experience the aches and pains from working at computers for long hours and leaning over exceptionally large books. But what if we could eliminate that physical strain, improving our overall quality of life?

Christy Lelovic has been a Health and Safety Specialist for 10 years, and, according to her, with a little help from ergonomics, protection from aches and pains are a possibility.
Ergonomics is the process of "looking at people and how they interact with their environment," said Lelovic, who has written three books on the subject, which are currently used as internal employee training texts for municipal governments in Ontario.

The improvements made to an individual's environment can create a more comfortable and safe working space that can reduce the chances of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Lelovic believes that many injuries can be prevented through improvement of one's posture and body mechanics through ergonomics.

But what does this mean to the student world?

"MSD takes so long to develop that people who have been students for much of their lives can suffer more than a person who does not spend a lot of time in front of a computer. The habits and damage that cause MSD begin as a student, and take many years to manifest and develop," said Lelovic. "Once you have a MSD you typically have to manage with it for the rest of your life. That's why students should be proactive to prevent MSD from developing."
Lelovic not only suggests that good ergonomics can help students' health in the future but she believes it can improve their studying too.

"When our bodies are not under strain for four hours of study in an ergonomic set up, not only will it be much better for our body but our mind as well," she said. "When your body is not under strain your mind can focus on studying, allowing you to think more clearly."    (Continued via The Brock Press)    [Ergonomics Resources]

My Aching Back

A smart pillbox to educate people

Ergonomic design for product and patients ...

"A major challenge in public health is that people do not take their medications, a phenomenon known as ‘medication non-adherence.’ In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that this accounts for 10% of all hospital visits and costs the U.S. healthcare system $100 billion per year and $60 billion to the pharmaceutical industry. Now, a MIT research team thinks it has a solution to this problem and that it also will save lives worldwide. They’ve developed the uBox, a convenient, palm-sized, intelligent pill dispenser, ‘which reminds a patient when it is time to take his medication, records when a patient has taken a dose, and prevents a patient from double-dosing.’ The first large scale trial with 100 uBoxes is scheduled to begin in May 2008 in Bihar, India. The uBox will be used in a 6-month long tuberculosis (TB) treatment program. But read more…

... In fact, the team developed what they called “a high-tech solution in a simple, inexpensive and easy-to-use-package” with two major components. “The first part of the two-component system is a kind of “smart” pillbox, called the uBox. It has 14 chambers that can each be loaded with several pills, which it dispenses from one chamber per day. To alert the patient that it’s time to take the medicine, the box flashes its lights and sounds a buzzer. When the compartment is opened, the uBox records the exact time and prevents double-dosing by refusing to open again until the next treatment is due. After two weeks, a health care worker reloads the box and digitally records and transmits the information stored in it. Doctors and public health services can then get complete data on compliance, patient by patient, in almost real time, instead of having to wait until the end of the six-month treatment.”

But there is a second component. “The second part of the group’s new system is a cell phone, called the uPhone. By using special software, health care workers can record a patient’s temperature, weight, and answers to a list of questions related to symptoms, which adds to the set of detailed patient data analyzed by doctors monitoring the study. By looking at patterns of effects, the doctors can tell which field workers are achieving the best adherence rates with their patients and find out just what it is that those people are doing right. They can then be recruited to train additional workers.”
"    (Continued via ZDNet.com)    [Ergonomics Resources]

uBox

Lite-On takes ergonomics to a whole new level with Moldable Mouse

New ergonomic mouse on the drawing board ...

"Winner of 2007's Red Dot Design Concept Award was Lite-On's Moldable Mouse, made of lightweight modelling clay and covered with a nylon and polyurethane blend fabric.

In other words, the mouse resembles the Play-Doh that you used to play with as a kid. It isn't like hard mouse you're accustomed to using, it's materials are designed to allow the user to knead it into any preferred shape, and most importantly, the shape is self-retaining. Well, you wouldn't want it to turn into a blob when you let go now would you?

The mouse buttons and scroll wheel are stick-on parts and use radio frequency so they can be positioned exactly where you want them. They say this thing feels similar in texture to silk and that you can get it in just about any colour, with patterns and graphics if you so desire."    (Continued via HEXUS)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Moldable Mouse

Temp Workers Face Greater Injury Risks

Temp workers require special attention for injury prevention ...

"Studies in the United States and Europe suggest that contingent workers such as part-time, temporary, or contract workers are at higher risk for occupational injuries and illnesses than workers in traditional employment situations, say NIOSH researchers in the Jan. 30 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association. The article, "Contingent Workers and Contingent Health: Risks of a Modern Economy," by Kristin J. Cummings, M.D., M.P.H., and Kathleen Kreiss, M.D., says increasing scientific evidence suggests several possible reasons for the higher risk and warrants further scientific investigation.

Among the evidence for higher risk among contingent workers are the following data, the researchers say:

* The rate of fatal occupational injuries among self-employed workers is twice the national average for all workers, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
* The rate of needlestick injuries among temporary nurses caring for AIDS patients in 11 U.S. hospitals was 1.65 times higher than the rate for staff nurses working in the same units.
* A 2004 survey of day laborers in the United States found that 19 percent of the day laborers reported work-related injuries that required medical attention in the previous year, compared with less than 5 percent of workers in all private industries and about 6 percent of all workers in construction.
* A preliminary analysis of 2000-2004 data shows that contract coal mine workers with at least 15 years of tenure had a higher prevalence of radiographic evidence for coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung) than non-contract coal mine workers."    (Continued via Occupational Health & Safety)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomic Furniture Shown To Increase Productivity

Laptops add to the problem ...

"Ergonomic Furniture Shown To Increase Productivity

Office managers are just now finding out what chiropractors have known for a long time, that the ergonomics of office furniture—chairs, desks, and computer stations—have a direct effect upon workers’ health and productivity.

In past years, chiropractors have witnessed a trend in which office-related pains have changed from traditional lower back problems to “modern” computer-induced upper back and neck problems.

Because of increased attention paid to ergonomics, office interior designers also have adapted office layouts that now include space for ergonomic considerations.

“There’s a larger percentage of people with office related pain that come into my office” than in the past, said Dr. Franklin Forman, a practitioner at Chiropractic Medicine and Associates in Wheaton. Board certified in occupational health, he estimates that 40 percent of his patients have pain associated with work-related problems, often from bad posture.

“Years ago 80 percent of the people coming into the office had lower back problems,” Forman said. “Now, 50 percent come in with upper back and neck problems.”

The diagnosis is that too many office workers work on laptop computers— not desktops—that workers don’t stretch before work and that they live otherwise sedentary lifestyles.

“People have to consider themselves when they’re at their jobs as if they are athletes,” said Forman. “It’s important to stretch prior to and during the job just as an athlete does a pre and post stretch during an event.”

His recommendation is to take appropriate breaks during work and to do stretching exercises with arms and the upper body. Not only will this alleviate pain, but stretching also has been proven to increase energy and lower stress as well.

The type of computer one works on also has an affect on one’s posture. The ergonomic setup of a computer work area, then, is very important, said Forman.

“Laptop computers as opposed to more stationary computers cause problems,” Forman said. With laptops, the tendency is to bring one’s head forward, to hunch over and, in so doing, harm the neck."    (Continued via The Business Ledger)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Epicondylitis - Repetitive Strain Elbow Pain

Causes and prevention of RSI in the elbow ...

"Epicondylitis is pain at either side of the elbow where the finger and wrist muscles originate at the bony bumps of the humerus (upper arm bone).

Although frequently mistakenly thought of as a tendinitis, epicondylitis is caused by the accumulation of microscopic tearing and damage. The gradual accumulation of tearing and scarring that can be caused by repetitive trauma initially causes inflammation; However, eventually, as the body is unable to heal the build-up of daily injury, the condition changes from one of inflammation to one of degeneration. A physical change in the cellular structure of the tendons occurs including disorganization of the collagen fibers, calcifications, and loss of blood flow to the area.

The proper classification of this injury is a tendinosis, a failed healing of microscopic tissue tears. This can become an important distinction in prevention and healing of these injuries. In the early stages, treatments for inflammation such as the use of cold packs and the use of anti-inflammatory medications may be helpful. In the later stages, however, the goal may be to improve circulation to promote healing in addition to specific conditioning exercises to help organize the tissues around the elbow.

Tennis Elbow

* Lateral epicondylitis, commonly described as tennis elbow, is caused by injury to the outside edge of the elbow.
* The damage is specific to the tendons of the muscles that straighten the fingers, pull the wrist back, and turn the palm up.
* Only 20% of lateral epicondylitis is caused by actually playing tennis.

Golfer's Elbow

* Medial epicondylitis, or golfer's elbow, is caused by injury to the inside edge of the elbow.
* The damage is specific to the tendons of the muscles that close the fingers, bend the wrist forward, and turn the palm down.
* Golfer's elbow occurs only 10-20% as frequently as tennis elbow.

SYMPTOMS

Classic Symptoms
o Tenderness at the sides of the elbow over the bony protuberances.
o Localized swelling at the point of tenderness.
o Pain may radiate from the elbow down the forearm and into the upper arm in more severe cases.
o Activity increases pain.
+ Tennis elbow is aggravated by gripping objects with the wrist bent backwards.
+ Golfer's elbow is aggravated by gripping objects with the wrist bent forward.

Other Possible Symptoms
o A loss of full elbow and wrist motion because of pain.
o A feeling of weakness in the arm muscles because of pain.
o Generalized swelling of the elbow.

COMPUTER-RELATED CAUSES OF EPICONDYLITIS

One of the most common causes of tennis or golfer’s elbow for computer users can be positioning of the mouse.

* Reaching forward for the mouse onto a desk that is higher than the keyboard.
* Reaching for the mouse placed to the far side of the keyboard.
* Gripping the mouse tightly while using wrist motion to activate.
* Planting the wrist down and swiveling the mouse using wrist motion."    (Continued via Bella Online, Marji Hajic)    [Ergonomics Resources]

The Economics of Ergonomics

A 2006 publication that is worth reading ...

"EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Sound ergonomics makes economic sense. The goal of ergonomics is to boost productivity by increasing employee performance and comfort and reducing injuries and errors. CPA firms that attend to staff members’ comfort and health are rewarded with greater work performance and job loyalty.

A neat, clean and comfortable work environment is important. It could mean the difference between having a superstar or a mediocre person come work for your firm.

To begin a program, CPA firms can create an internal ergonomics committee to gather information and seek training or hire a consultant. Ergonomics committees should involve the human resources department in the design and implementation of new programs.

The ergonomics committee should look at the postures people assume at work, the tasks they perform, the office lighting and temperature, and the furniture and workstation arrangements. A firm that is outfitting an office with ergonomic equipment should seek out only durable, adjustable, high-quality products.

There is no one-size-fits-all workstation arrangement. One absolute: Equipment should be at a distance that doesn’t cause employees to twist their heads, necks or bodies.

Applying ergonomic principles in the workplace doesn’t call for NASA scientists or a big budget. From setting the right temperature in the office to providing chairs with back support and lights that minimize eyestrain, CPA firms that attend to staff comfort and health are rewarded with greater productivity and job loyalty.

BUT HOW TO BEGIN?
Whether you’re expanding or changing locations, designing a more ergonomically sound office can yield big rewards whatever your firm’s size. If your firm is large, form an ergonomics committee to ask employees or the human resources department about any physical issues that have arisen and to research what type of ergonomics program is best. Any time a firm introduces new equipment or technology to the office, employees can feel anxious, alienated, overworked and vulnerable, so it’s wise to involve HR in the design and implementation of new programs.

It will be helpful if the committee can determine whether particular departments or tasks carry a higher rate of repetitive stress injury (RSI) than others. The committee also can review the types of ergonomic products available and attend some ergonomics training before developing a program budget.

“Programs don’t have to be too formal,” Hedge says, “but some formality helps keep enthusiasm from waning.” He suggests smaller firms designate a few staff members as ergonomics champions to organize periodic awareness meetings, help employees get ergonomics training (see www.healthycomputing.com) and monitor the program’s performance and success.

Most ergonomic changes involve little or no cost, Hedge says. For instance, you can move equipment closer so people can reach it without straining and without awkward postures, he says (see “Case Study”). For a small cost, the firm’s managers can make sure employees have well-designed chairs and learn how to sit properly in them. The most important thing is to listen to and involve employees in the process of improving their workspaces."    (Continued via The Industrial Athlete, Journal of Accontancy)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Stand-up Workstation

Start 2008 With a Safety Audit

Safety starts with knowing the workplace problem areas ...

"Get a safe start to the new year by conducting an environmental, health and safety audit to assess hazards and reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) points out that an audit program is an important tool that can protect workers and identify safety hazards that affect the organization’s bottom line. ASSE not only urges companies to consider such a program, but also is conducting its own audit early this year.

“Audits are one of the key tools we, as occupational safety, health and environmental practitioners, use in our ongoing efforts to reduce on-the-job injuries, illnesses and fatalities worldwide,” said Michael W. Thompson, ASSE president.

According to ASSE, safety professionals should be prepared to take the following steps when designing a comprehensive audit program:

* Identify the audit objectives.
* Define and plan the audit.
* Conduct the audit.
* Analyze the audit findings.
* Develop and implement correct actions.
* Develop and implement methods to track corrective actions.
* Establish metrics to gauge the audit process.
* Create a final report of the audit results and conclusions.

"Basically, the auditor assesses the real time status of the entity's [environmental, health and safety] program, diagnoses weaknesses and strengths and prescribes a course to recovery and/or moving forward,” Thompson said. To do this, he added, safety professionals should have a strong knowledge of audit principles and regulatory requirements, as well as being objective, open-minded and diplomatic."    (Continued via Occupational Hazards)    [Ergonomics Resources]

How Railroad Injury Attorneys Analyze Ergonomics to Prove Railroad Negligence

Preventing injury in the railroad industry ...

"What does ergnonomics have to do with railroad worker injuries involving heavy lifting or even repetive stress injuries? Alot, and even the railroads held seminars in 1990 to learn how ergonomics could prevent a wide variety of railroad worker injuries.

The word ergonomics has several definitions, but most experts agree that it involves designing workplace tools or equipment to make them more user-friendly and safe for workers. Most of us are familiar with lawn and garden tools that are made with a handle or grip that is more comfortable, and this is a very basic form of ergonomics. However, the field involves not only changing a grip or a way to hold a tool, but more broadly involves changing work tasks themselves, to prevent repetitive stress injuries before they ever happen. Changing the way work tasks are done is known as an "administrative change." Changing the actual tool or the equipment is known as an "engineering change." These are the two most common ways ergonomics affects railroad workers and workers in any field that repetitively use hand tools or power equipment, that is used nearly every day at work

Although there were discussions about repetitive stress injuries earlier, it wasn't until 1990 that the Association of American railroads decided to hold seminars to explain how ergonomics could help railroads reduce injuries in the workplace. Our law firm has obtained many of the materials which were shared with the nation's railroads, which were a part of these AAR trade organization educational seminars in 1990 and 1991, including "draft" materials. At first, the major railroads were eager to learn about ergonomics--it made sense to learn how to avoid injuries in the workplace because it saves the railroads money in the long run. It was only after rail worker attorneys used the very same materials AGAINST the railroads that the discussion of ergonomics seemed to go "underground." On the one hand, the AAR championed ergonomics, but then when the railroads failed to carry through the prevention methods to various types of rail workers, the same materials are irrefutable proof of railroad negligence in avoiding preventable injuries--that are continuing to occur."    (Continued via Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Some ergonomic tools aren't. Here's how to conduct a 'feel test' before buying

Tips for selecting ergonomic garden tools ...

"Gardeners with painful disabilities needn't have such a tough row to hoe.

Nearly one in five U.S. adults - some 46 million people - has arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So it's not surprising that scores of ergonomic toolmakers target this sizable group.

Bruce Butterfield, research director for the National Gardening Association, said most gardeners are over 55, and "looking for garden tools that are easier to use and help prevent aches and pain."

A great many garden tools are marketed with the word "ergonomic" in bold type on the labels, meaning they're intended to maximize the efficiency and quality of someone's work.

But claims are one thing and performance is quite another, said Bob Denman, a blacksmith, tool designer and consultant from Boring, Ore.

"Some garden tools are being developed without a great deal of study," Denman said. "The manufacturer builds in a bend here and incorporates a twist there and calls it ergonomic. But then other tools are extremely well thought out."

There are several factors to consider in choosing a proper tool. First, it's important to know that grip strength declines an average of 15 percent by a person's early 50s, said Jeffrey Hoyle, an ergonomist with The Ergonomics Center of North Carolina, a research and consulting arm of North Carolina State University.

And while women are about two-thirds as strong as men in general, studies indicate that their grip strength is about half that of men.

It might seem logical, then, to focus on the tool's grip. But it's weight and power that make a tool truly ergonomic, said Olavi Linden, chief designer for Finland-based Fiskars Garden & Outdoor Living.

"Handles are actually a very small part of the equation," Linden said. "More power is what helps you avoid tendinitis. Extra-long, lightweight handles help prevent back pain."

Gardeners shopping for the right kind of ergonomic tool can weed out a large amount of discomfort and expense by "feel testing" in stores before they buy.

"I've spent a lot of time watching people shopping for garden tools and most are bewildered," said Denman, who does new product consulting for Corona Clipper Inc., a tool manufacturer in Corona, Calif. He said most make choices based on cost, not quality or feel. "Most people just don't know how to buy ergonomically."

Here are some suggestions from Corona Clipper:

-- Check for weight. Any tool that feels heavy may become tiring with hard and repetitive use. Conversely, any tool that feels too light may be too flimsy to last. Look for tools that feel sturdy while providing control and reducing effort.

-- Test for balance and sensitivity. Tools should distribute their weight evenly or toward the working end, such as at the head of an ax or the point of a shovel.

-- Study grip size. Find something soft and comfortable. Overlarge grips can tire muscles and strain nerves in fingers and wrists over time. Non-slip grips generally are safer and help prevent blisters."    (Continued via The Reporter)    [Usability Resources]