Ergonomics is a term which defines maintaining a good posture in a work place to minimize Joint pains and probable future conditions. Ergonomics also concerned with designing and arranging the things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.
In ergonomics we take into consideration the anatomy and biomechanics part (means the human body mechanics) to deal with postures, positions and alignments in relation to the objects used for e.g.:-table,chair,height of Computers, height of the bed etc, so the numerous numbers of painful conditions which is related to work environment can be treated and prevented.
Some of the conditions which is related or rather say directly attained from work place are Mechanical Lumbar Pain, Kyphosis, Structural Scoliosis, Knee Bursitis, Patello femoral arthritis, Piriformis etc.
Physiotherapy can play a good role in preventing and modifying the posture of the person and the work place environment with different exercises and advices.
Posture
It is the attitude assumed by the body either with support during muscular inactivity or by means of co-ordinated action of many muscles.
Postures are mainly 2 types:-
Inactive –During Rest or Sleeping.
Active – Static ->Sitting, Standing, etc.
Dynamic->Running, Jogging etc.
In brief posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting or lying.
Good Posture.
It is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity.
Without posture the muscles that control it, we would simply fall to the ground.
How to develop a good posture.
*Keep bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly.
*Prevent the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal position.
*Prevent Fatigue.
*Prevent strain or over use problems.
Correct sitting Posture :-
*Keeps feet on the floor or on a foot rest.
*Don’t cross the legs.
*Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and front of your seat.
*Relax the shoulders and keep your forearm parallel to the ground.
*Avoid sitting in some position for long periods of time.
Correct standing posture.
*Bear weight primarily on balls of the feet’s.
*Keep the feet about shoulder width apart.
*Let the arms hang naturaly down the sides of the body.
*Stand straight and tall with shoulders pulled backward.
*Tuck the stomach in.
*Do not push the head forward, backward or to the side.
*Shift weight from toes to heels or one foot to the other, if need to stand for a long time.
“Goal is to stand like an exclamation mark and never become a comma.”