The terms “good ergonomics” or “ergonomically designed” are often thrown around when talking about many implements or objects we use in our day to day lives, especially when referring to office setup. The oxford dictionary defines ergonomics as the “The study of people’s efficiency in their working environment”.   Every day new ideas crop up about how to improve efficiency and reduce fatigue and pain via good ergonomic design.

Here at Brighton Beach Physiotherapy Centre our patients who work office based jobs often suffer from neck pain, headaches or lower back pain. Part of our management of such patients is offering advice on office setup and safe work practices.  Here are a few tips below which may help if you work in an office and suffer spinal pain.

• Ensure your feet are flat on the ground  (or footstool)
• Have your knees and hips bent to 90 degrees
• Ensure you are sitting right back in your chair
• Ensure the top of the computer screen is at eye level
• Take regular rest breaks, stand up and move about every 30-45minutes

If you do all of the above and the desk is too high then you require a foot stool f possible the desk to be adjusted. 

Good office equipment is only half of the solution, education on how to sustain good posture, loosening of tight muscles and stiff joints as well as strengthening exercises are also vital part of managing posture related spinal pain.

Any of our highly skilled physiotherapists would be happy to help you to overcome your office based aches and pains, call us today we are open well before and after standard office hours!!