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Ergonomics and Posture…who cares?!

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For: The Divot
By: Chris Ecklund, MA, CSCS, TPI, PES, USAW

What is Ergonomics?

What is Posture?

Why does it matter to me?

I recently had the opportunity to discuss this topic with a local technology corporation as the employees were looking for more information about how to deal with all the aches and pains that are popping up as well as how to better set up their “day-to-day” workstation arrangement since most of them are on computers and technology all day.

Ultimately the conversation can be fairly straightforward and simple…and the application is wide spreading to general health, tennis, golf…you name it.

Ergonomics: An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use to that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.

          -Merriam Webster

Great…thanks for that, Chris…so what does that mean? 

Simple: FITTING A JOB TO THE PERSON…

          —>INSTEAD OF THE PERSON TO THE JOB

Said simpler: we are focusing on trying to set up the environment of the job better to minimize injury and maximize efficiency (because frankly, we weren’t made to do a lot of the jobs we do).

*And by the way, “job” can also mean daily habits or activities!

Believe it or not, we weren’t created to drive cars (especially for hours on end), or sit at a computer or text on cell phones…

Well that’s great, but who cares?  Why does it matter?

In a study done in 2007, they found that overuse injuries due to posture and repetitive trauma caused the longest absences from work compared to other conditions (US Department of Labor, 2002)

Common disorders:


  • Neck (85%)
  • Lower back pain (68%)
  • Shoulder tendonitis (48%)
  • Neuropathy
  • Tension neck syndrome
  • Trapezius myalgia

“But Chris, I’m retired, so this doesn’t apply to me.”

Of course it does. We all have repetitive positions and activities we do. Golf. Tennis. Watching TV. Reading, Writing. Working on cell phones. It is all additive in it’s effect.

Well, what is good posture then?

Simple answer: one that is CONSTANTLY CHANGING (implication…move more).

But to start with, here is a reference point (see pic):

Side:

  • Ear, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle

Front:

  • Nose, Adams apple, sternum, belly button, zipper, between knees and ankle, feet straight, shoulders level

Poor posture + Time = Aches & Pain & Injuries

Case in point: for every inch (or about 10˚ your head is forward it adds about 10lbs of work to your cervical extensors, trapezius, levator scapulae, etc.  Over time, our necks get unhappy.

Further, if we can’t hold good posture while we are standing still or sitting, how can we expect to have good posture or maintain good positions when we move (as it is even tougher)?

Answer:  practice and feedback. 

Just like feedback on your tennis serve.  Just like feedback on your golf swing.

If you’d like assistance learning about how your posture and daily routine influence your body’s health, please get in contact with us a.s.a.p. so we can help!