There are many strategies that Physical Therapists can use to manage musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain. When it comes to work environment and increased sedentary demand, there are ways to mitigate and even prevent chronic musculoskeletal disorders from propagating. One of the best ways is through ergonomic training.
What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the process of placing workplace conditions and job demands in a biomechanically leveraged position to increase the body’s working capacity. Ergonomics is designed to modify the work environment to fit the needs of the worker. Executed properly, ergonomics can reduce or eliminate overuse injuries, bad posturing, and hazards.
How can you apply Ergonomics in the workplace?
Ergonomics can be taught through education, skills training, and job analysis. A basic example of this would be a worker that is required to lift boxes off the ground everyday. Regardless of the weight, the repetitive motion can cause unnecessary strain on the back if the mechanics are executed improperly. Education of proper lifting techniques can reduce back strain and improve the efficiency of workers. Another example would be an employee that spends 8+ hours a day on a computer. Overtime, postural fatigue will place stress on passive structures resulting in dysfunction. Using a Physical Therapist, they can strengthen areas of the body using muscle re-education and reduce stress on passive structures through manual therapy techniques.
There are some other strategies Physical Therapists can utilize such as:
Education on environmental controls
Storing and transporting equipment/stock
Workstation layout
Administrative controls such as scheduled rotations
Allowing increased recovery time
To find out more about how Avion can improve your work environment, reduce your current pain, and improve your work lifestyle, contact us today for a consultation. Make sure to check out our “Industrial and Corporate Health and Wellness Program” and see what we can do for you.
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