Ergonomics and Posture
Monday, December 14th, 2009Ergonomics is big business these days. A quick look at any web site that sells ergonomic office products will have you astonished by how many products are available and how expensive they can be. It seems as though there is a product out there for nearly any workstation improvement that you can think of.
I invented and manufacture a product called the Ergo Nav. It is a chair mounted ergonomic mouse platform that is intended to keep you from having to lurch over your desk to reach your mouse. I will be the first to tell you that buying my product will only provide minimal benefit if you don’t also have your keyboard situation sorted out, or if your monitor is not positioned correctly or if your chair does not properly support your back.
Most of our issues with ergonomics involve poor posture. Poor posture is a learned behavior that can and does affect us regardless of whether or not our work stations are riddled with the latest ergonomic contraptions. That being said, when ergonomic devices are present, they can help us better control our posture by not forcing us into posturally stressful positions.
For example, my Ergo Nav positions your mouse relatively close to your body which makes leaning forward for your mouse unnecessary. However, without being consciously aware of your posture, even with my Ergo Nav properly attached, you can still work with a slumped posture or if your monitor is not positioned correctly you can expose your neck to loads of postural stress.
My point is this. Ergonomic things won’t eliminate postural stress on their own. Reduction of postural stress requires a conscious effort on your part. Remember that the next time you are considering spending hundreds of dollars on that keyboard tray.
Here’s To Your Health
Dr. Jones
(619) 280-0554 San Diego
Economical Adjustable Mouse Platform
