Physio Field Trip

Some of the injuries that are commonly found in those who work in web design are: Carpal Tunnel Syndrom, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Eye Strain and Sciatic Nerve Irritation.

Allof the injuries are overuse injuries. There are normally signs and symptoms that are precursors to the actual injury. Some common signs and symptoms to watch for are: Tightness and ache in forearms, Knots in shoulders and neck, Tension headache, Tingling or numbness either intermittent or prolonged, Pain that can not be relieved with stretching, Decreased range of motion in neck, shoulders, wrists and lower back.

Almost all of the injuries are caused by changes in posture. Before the symptoms become too aggressive, it is important to do some intervention. If left un-treated they will limit your ability to do your job. Normally due to the cause of the injuries, surgical interventions have limited success.

If you are experiencing sign and symptoms, even mild, you should see a therapist to learn what you can do to prevent further damage.

No matter how well a workstation is designed, problems may arise if attention is not paid to the way the work is done. Working at a computer often involves very few changes in body position. This lack of movement can lead to muscle pain and strain. It is recommended that a 5-10 minute break is taken every hour.

Vary the work tasks. Break up keyboarding tasks work by doing other job duties or tasks that involve moving around or changing body position. Try to stand up and move around. Look away from the screen occasionally and focus your eyes on an object far away. Relax your muscles, stretch and change position.

There are three contact areas in the work space that affect the workers posture: the seat, the work surface and the floor. To ensure the most comfortable posture possible, two of these factors have to be adjusted.

If you can afford to do nothing else, a fully adjustable chair is the undisputable must. The other, and perhaps the most preferable option, would be a fully adjustable desk.

The body positions held while typing and individual typing styles are so significant in the cause of repetitive motion injuries that their impact cannot be overemphasized.

Slouching while sitting with the back slumped against the backrest of the chair compresses the spine and can lead to low back pain. It also puts the head in an imbalanced position contributing to neck and shoulder problems.

Additionally, a slouchy, sitting position encourages the worker to rest the wrists on the edge of the desk in the dorsiflex position (ie hands bent upwards at the wrist) This is one of the most important MUST NOT DO's in RMI prevention.