Ergonomics: A Big Word With A Simple Meaning
When people see the word “ergonomics,” they are often confused about what it means. This word is being used more and more and rather than shy away from ergonomic products, people need to understand what it means and why it is important.
Understanding the history of ergonomics can help put everything in perspective for most people. Injuries related to work dates back into the sixteenth century, when a medical journal by Bernardino Ramazinni documented complaints from his patients. In 1857, Wojciech Jastrzebowski actually created the new word “ergonomics” when writing about the science of nature. “Ergon” means work and “nomos” means natural law, so “ergonomics” describes “how to work according to nature.” In other words, when people practice ergonomics, they are living and working as nature intended them to. People today have a tendency to push their bodies to the place where they are hurting and not able to work to their fullest capacity.
So, ergonomics is a good idea, but you may wonder what this has to do with you and your life. One thing you may want to consider is where and how you work. Do you sit at a desk most of the day, working at a computer? You can feel better and be more effective at your work by taking advantage of various ergonomic products.
One thing you will want to consider is your office chair. There are some important things to consider when you realize that your chair is probably the most frequently used piece of furniture in your office. Is it comfortable, adjustable, and effective for you? How do you feel after sitting in your chair for an hour or two? Are you ready to tackle more work or are your legs and back sore? How do you feel when you stand up? After a short break, are you stiff and achy, or are you ready to get right back to your work? Face it, people take their office chairs for granted, without any thought of the true capability that the chairs may or may not have.
Although they may differ depending on brand name, ergonomic desk chairs are usually made with the following: adjustable seat height, back rest, and seat pan (this is where you sit). It may also have soft seat padding, seat shape that is slightly concave, backrest that tilts, adjustable padded lumbar support, full back support up to the shoulders, arm rests, casters that roll easily, and anti-static material. While sitting in your ergonomic chair at your desk, you will be able to make these adjustments without getting up. As important as your chair is, it’s not a bad idea to consider ergonomic computer workstations as a whole.
In other words, you need to consider every area of your desk and your computer to see how it may be affecting you. For example, if you are working at a computer, you are obviously using a keyboard and mouse. If your arms, hands and wrists have no support while you type and work at your computer, they will get overly tired and your muscles will become stressed. You need some sort of support under your wrists so that you do not stress the muscles in your wrists and hands. Without necessary support and repetitive use of your wrist and hand muscles, you are at risk for developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Another thing to consider is the location of your monitor. If it is too close or too far from you, you will strain your eyes and also possibly lean forward or backward in your chair to see better, which can cause unnecessary strain to your back and neck muscles. Ergonomic desks are adjustable, so you can get closer or further from your monitor as needed.
The more comfortable we are, the more productive we are. We are not going to feel like working at all if our muscles feel stressed and strained. However, if our muscles and bones have the proper support, we are able to work longer hours without feeling any tension. Ergonomics is not something to avoid. The meaning of ergonomics is quite simple and makes sense for everyone.
