Signs and Symptoms of ergonomic injury

I spend many hours in front of the computer and in the past noticed my neck cramping up and wrist getting strained. These are some of the beginning signs of ergonomic injuries. They are related to an individual’s interaction with a task, including all physical aspects of performing the work. Here are some other signs to look out for:

Symptoms of non-ergonomic workstations/ work habits:

• back soreness or pain

• wrist pain

• neck pain

• shoulder pain

• arm pain

• headache

• eyestrain

• tingling, numbness in hands and fingers

• loss of strength

Warning Signs

• pain

• numbness

• tingling, burning

• stiffness

• swelling

• change in skin color

• decrease in range of motion

• decreased grip strength

Risk factors

• repetition- this is what we often hear with such injuries as carpel tunnel syndrome (repetitive movement/motion of the wrist)

• extended duration

• excessive force

• excessive reaches

• non-neutral positions

• awkward positions

• poor environment or set up- creates unnatural positions

• individual factors (previous trauma, medical conditions, weight, fitness, etc.)

Tomorrow’s blog will be on some of the steps that have helped me in preventing ergonomic injury.