Sitting in an Office Chair for Long Periods Can Cause Back Problems Unless Seated Correctly

The term "ergonomics actually is derivative of the two Greek words: "erg" which means work and "nomoi" which translates to natural laws. Really ergonomic studies focus on the relationship between the human capabilities of the body and the demands of the daily work and tasks.

If all employees were able to focus more on their posturing and positioning while seated at work, they would be able to save themselves from long term back problems, carpal tunnel and other such workplace injuries and save their employers from long term medical bills.

Recently, most ergonomists have seem focused on defining the correct postures which, when used in the workplace and sitting in the average office chair, can minimize the forces that are acting on the body. It was as early as the 18th century that doctors took note of the fact that some workers had tasks which required them to maintain the same body position for periods of time that were not wise.

In the last 10-20 years of the computer and technology age with all of us sitting for longer periods, research has been able to clearly establish a connection between job tasks and repetitive stress injuries, or as they are also known as RSI's.

Even a comfortable position requires some musculoskeletal effort and some tasks require much more. Let's take an example such as the standard computer programmer stuck in front of the monitor for hours at a time just trying to work out the code. This requires the body to keep the head and torso upright requiring either small or great amounts of effort to hold depending upon the actual efficiency of the actual position we choose to sit in.

Everyone would significantly reduce our risk of injury if we could adhere to some basic ergonomic rules. Mainly we should try to remember that all workplace activities should be done with the joints at about mid-point of their range of movement and no more to minimize strain on muscles and constant force acting upon our bodies.

This range of motion applies to both the head and trunk as well as the upper arms. Try to remember that all work activities should allow the worker to adopt different but equally safe postures.

Author Amy Pedersen works in the ergonomics and office furniture industry and is an expert in her field. Please visit her ergonomic websites to see more information and details on executive, mesh, leather, task and ergonomic office chairs and furniture to maintain your workstation. Offering a wide variety of executive and task office chairs with an online sales catalog as well as providing ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating at the workplace.

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