Everyday Ergonomics for a Better Life
By Sara Butler
How much time do you spend each day thinking about proper ergonomics? Probably not as much as you should! Ergonomics are central to preventing pain and injury as you move through the motions of your day and something chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic believe to be an incredibly important part of continued health and wellness. Plus, you’ll just feel better as you work through your day! Here are some chiropractic tips for everyday ergonomics you need to take note of.
When You Lift
It doesn’t matter if what you’re lifting is large or small; you still need to take care when you do it by following a few ergonomic tips. You should:
- Keep your back straight
- Bend at the knees
- Lifting using the power of your legs and hips
- Never bend at the waist, always squat
You should also remember never to twist your body when carrying something and keep it close to your body. If you’re carrying an item and need to turn, then pivot your feet to change direction instead of twisting your torso. Twisting while carrying something can strain your back muscles and lead to an injury. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help if something is too heavy to carry.
When You Drive
How much time do you spend in your car? Probably more than you want to admit to. That’s what makes proper ergonomics in your care even more important. To keep your spine healthy when driving you should:
- Adjust the angle of your seat to 90 degrees
- Never slouch, you should sit up straight with your head as close to the headrest as is comfortable
- Make sure the steering wheel is at a comfortable distance so you don’t have to reach
If you’re going to be in the car for more than an hour, then you should get out at least once and stretch. Sitting in one position for too long can be detrimental to proper posture and endanger the health of your spine.
When You Work
A lot of people spend all day in front of the computer at their desk. You may not think this exposes you to injury, but it does. The muscles that support your spine and joints become weaker if you sit with poor posture each day. To improve the ergonomics of your workstation, you should:
- Have a good chair that fits you, provides arm support, and supports the lower back
- Use a footrest if your chair is too tall
- Keep things you use often close to you so you don’t have to reach
These are only a few quick ergonomic tips to help get you through your day. If you need more advice on how to improve ergonomics, then discuss it with the chiropractors at The Joint!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in St. Louis, Mo.