According to the American Chiropractic Association:

Today, a typical office worker sits hunched over a keyboard for eight hours a day and seldom stands up. When the requirements of a job do not match a worker’s physical attributes, injury and loss of productivity are likely.

Workplace injuries, a common cause of time off, cost employers and employees billions of dollars every year. Some of the more common workplace injuries are carpal tunnel syndrome (a nerve entrapment at the wrist seen in computer users), low-back pain, tendinitis, bursitis, and neck pain or headaches.

Many people express fears that their employer will be inconvenienced or angry if they request an ergonomic assessment or report a workplace injury. This is usually not the case. Across the nation, a growing number of employers are getting ergonomic and safety advice specific to their work environment and staff, often by a chiropractic physician or physical therapist. These employers have learned that simple, effective changes now can often save a lot of pain and expense later.

Having a healthy workplace with good ergonomics usually helps minimize the number and severity of workplace injuries, and that directly results in greater employee productivity and fewer worker’s compensation claims over time. Smaller employers may not have the budget for a workplace ergonomics specialist on their human resources team. This means the employees in smaller companies have an opportunity to make a huge difference themselves, by bringing positive and constructive attention to some of the simple, but effective strategies for reducing workplace injury and thereby increasing worker productivity and retention.

The American Chiropractic Association has a list of tips and tricks for improving workplace safety and comfort, particularly for those of you spending much of your day at your desk, on a computer, or on the phone. To learn some simple and effective ways to reduce the wear and tear your work has on your body each day, check out this PDF on Workplace Ergonomics: HealthyLiving_ErgonomicsMouse

Absolute Wellness Center in Eugene, OR provides sports medicine, chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and more. To learn more about workplace injuries and the services offered at Absolute Wellness Center, please give us a call at 541-484-5777. You might also be interested in reading our blog: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for Workplace Injuries