When we think of injuries in the office workplace, we most often think of back and wrist injuries. The fact is there are a multitude of office injuries that can result from improper back supports and lack of an ergonomic seat to give us the support we need. Chronic wrist and back pain are the most common, but an improper work station can also cause knee, leg, eye and even ankle strain.
General muscle aches and strains include tired legs, aching backs, stiff knees, shoulders and neck muscles. When you get home at the end of the day and feel tired all over, this can be the result of a poor workplace set-up.
Wrist pain such as carpal tunnel results from repetitive motions such as typing without having proper support for the wrist. The nerve that travels down the arm and through the wrist becomes compressed, resulting in pain and sometimes a tingling and numbness in the fingers. Carpal tunnel can be improved by the use of a wrist brace, although sometimes surgery becomes necessary.
Eye strain is another common complaint among office workers. Poor lighting is often the cause and can even lead to stiff and aching neck and shoulder muscles from hunching over to see things clearly. This in turn can cause headaches and blurred vision as well as irritated watery eyes. Occasionally accidents may occur when people have to move from a brightly lit area into a darker one. For safety’s sake, lighting should be consistent throughout the workplace.
Lower back and leg pains can result from poor or lacking lumbar support and improper back support. When we sit at a desk, our feet should always rest flat on the floor and our thighs should be parallel to the floor. This alleviates stress and strain on the lower back. Armrest should also be in the right position so that we don’t slouch or bend to rest our arms.
Another less commonly known injury in the office setting is a static posture injury. This most often involves hip and knee strain. It results from moving too quickly into an active position after sitting or standing in the same position for long periods. The sudden movement causes strain to the muscles and can wear down ligaments causing serious pain.
All of these office workplace injuries can be avoided by the use of an ergonomically designed seat which provides proper back and lumbar support as well as a design that allows fluid movement between positions.
Having your office station set up with the proper lighting, seat and placement of equipment will help to ensure your comfort at work and at home at the end of the day!
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