The field of ergonomics has been around for at least 50 years, but only the past decade or so has it become something of a buzzword. Countless products now exist that claim to be “ergonomic” and meant to improve your workstation or other settings with the most cutting-edge design available. Though some of these products may be worthy of consideration, ergonomics is more of an approach to analyzing and modifying how tasks are performed. By having an ergonomic assessment and making necessary changes, you won’t have to spend big dollars on products that may or may not actually work.

Ergonomics is essentially the science of fitting the job to the person, rather than forcing the person to adapt to the physical parameters of the job. This is accomplished by identifying strategies to allow you to perform your job in the most efficient manner possible, with the least amount of strain on your body to reduce injury risk.

Good ergonomics results in increased efficiency and productivity, as well as improved health. Poor ergonomics, on the other hand, can lead to common workplace injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tendinitis and back or neck pain. On-the-job injuries like these can wind up being costly to employers, employees and insurance companies, and dealing with pain regularly can affect workplace performance and lead to absenteeism, which highlights why it’s necessary to focus on ergonomics.

If you’ve been performing the same job for a long period of time without acknowledging or adjusting ergonomics, it may be time to make some changes. The more forcefully and the longer you complete a task, the more important it becomes to pay attention to its ergonomics and make modifications to improve it.

At CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services in Parkville, MD, we can perform ergonomic assessments for your work or home environment, and then make necessary recommendations. Our Parkville ergonomic assessments typically include the following:

• Work site analysis, including desk height, chair design, location of computer station and various other components that may require adjustment
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of work areas for temperature, height and lighting
• Identification of any risk factors that can lead to an on-the-job injury
• In some cases we may videotape the worker performing the essential activities typically completed in a work day to detect any potential dangers
• Based on the results of this assessment, we will then provide employers with written reports to summarize our findings; we will also:
  • Suggest the best possible options for solving any ergonomic safety issues
  • Help employees identify hazards in the workplace
  • Help establish or improve worksite injury and illness prevention programs
  • Recommend training and education programs to promote safety and increase productivity

Parkville ergonomic assessments can make a major difference in the office or at home, and significantly reduce your risk of experiencing an injury in either setting. To find out more about how to arrange for an assessment, or for any other aches or pains you may be experiencing, contact CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services, where we have four locations in Laurel, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale/Bowie and Parkville, MD at 301-853-0093.