Occupational Health and Ergonomics

Conditions / Occupational Health and Ergonomics

With evolving work styles and workstations, we’re seeing an uptick in occupational health issues, most of which are centered around lack of movement and poor ergonomics. 

Ergonomics is the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment. However, for a chiropractor, how the body performs in the working environment is the main focus. We have noticed a pattern of movement disorders in our patients as many have struggled to adapt to new work-from-home setups. 

Chiropractic care is an excellent resource to help your body feel well and free from pain, keep productive, and maintain a high functioning, adaptable body. 

The most common workplace injury involves the musculoskeletal system. Fortunately, this kind of injury can be remedied through reliable in-office techniques and easy-to-implement, at-home movement solutions. 

Dr. Peters performs chiropractic services on a variety of patients who have a variety of jobs, including:

  • Nurses and healthcare workers 
  • Dentists and hygienists
  • Chefs and servers
  • First responders
  • Office workers 
  • Remote-workers (posture)
  • Teachers
  • Jobs that include standing for a living (retail, servers, hair stylists)
  • Trucking and vehicle operators 
  • Manufacturing services 
  • Jobs that include repetitive motion
  • Jobs that include sitting for prolonged periods

 

Chiropractic care provides structural stability, ergonomic improvements, body adaptability, pain relief, and advice on keeping your body safe while working.

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The Benefits of Chiropractic Care For Your Occupational Health

Dr. Peters concerns himself with full body health, which includes the simultaneous continuity of movement, social, and mental health.  When the physical body is under-performing or feeling discomfort, it’s difficult to thrive and feel happy.  

Chiropractic care provides many benefits that improve health and quality of life, including:

  • Pain relief
  • Treats the cause of your pain
  • Promotes good posture
  • Promotes better sleep
  • Promotes a healthy lifestyle
  • Promotes physical activity and energy
  • Provides proactive and preventative care 

Depending on your profession, these items are important to doing your job well and staying focused. A chiropractor’s solutions will help boost awareness, confidence, engagement, motivation, and productivity. 

How Will a Chiropractor Treat My Injury?

We have various techniques to support your wellness goals and help you keep your body safe while working. Whether your job is physically demanding or requires hours in front of your computer, our solutions will benefit you. 

Proper ergonomics are imperative to a healthy body and will support you through grueling workdays. Believe it or not, achieving this isn’t out of reach. We employ a number of posture, movement, and ergonomic solutions that are safe and effective, regardless of your profession. This allows you to focus on the work that really matters.

Chiropractic care for office-workers and remote-workers

Working conditions are changing drastically for many of us. Those who once sat at a cubicle in an office are now utilizing a makeshift workstation in their home. The fact is, even those still working in an office may be being held back by poor ergonomic setups and lack of daily movement breaks.

Having a work area that’s safe, convenient, and set up smartly will do wonders for your body and your productivity. We can help find a workstation that works for you rather than against you. 

Whether you’re at a desk all day or on your feet all day, Dr. Peters has the techniques to help minimize your pain, and he’ll teach you how to help your body become more resilient. 

Some solutions include:

 

We’ll implement a plan that helps you maximize your workspace, get you correct ergonomic and posture support, and keep your body healthy and moving with some easy, at-home strengthening exercises and stretches. 

 
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New remote-workers and their workstations

If you’re newly working remotely and don’t have the proper setup, make that a priority.

If you don’t have a home office, here are some suggestions:

  • Use the kitchen or dining table
  • Invest in an ergonomic chair with lumbar support or get the chair you used in your office 
  • Invest in a small desk on casters for easy movement
  • Consider a sit-to-stand solution
  • Remember your posture
  • Stretch periodically or take a movement break

We’d like to hear about your impromptu work area and give you some specific advice on your space. We have written letters to HR departments regarding standing desks’ safety and reliability for our patients in corporate America and are happy to do that for you. 

These desks allow for movement variability and can reduce neck and back discomfort. Call us today to discuss how to improve your current working environment. 

 

Tips to Support Your Ergonomic Workspace

Finding a work station that works for you rather than against you is not that difficult or expensive. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll be able to focus and complete your tasks. However, during our workday, we often get caught up in the work part and forget about the ergonomic-sensibility or movement-variability part.

If you work for hours a day at a desk, here are some tips to help your ergonomic, movement, and posture goals:

  • Find a desk and chair that fits your body type and that are at the proper height for your body 
  • Keep items used regularly within easy reach
  • Don’t Sit on Your Wallet! This can oblique your pelvis and put unnecessary strain on the lower back.
  • Consider a sit-to-stand workstation and changing work environment
  • Adding an additional lumbar roll or support may improve the ability to sit
  • The best posture is a changing one with low muscle tone; you shouldn’t have to work too hard to maintain a “correct” posture; if you are feeling discomfort or fatigue, it’s likely time to change positions 
  • A headset is a great option for workers that handle lots of phone calls, allowing for better neck positioning and hands-free work
  • Don’t underestimate the value of microbreaks- get up and move every 30 minutes, moving the parts of your body that need it most  
  • If you stare at a computer screen all day, purchase some cheap blue light glasses to help avoid eye strain that may lead to headaches or neck pain 
  • RELAX! Don’t get too worked up about your posture or work environment. Move a little more and worry a little less; posture isn’t as important as you may think

All of these practical tips will help provide a safe, ergonomically effective work area. Dr. Peters is patient-centric and will help you determine your needs and how to best implement these tips. 

Stay focused on minimizing daily stressors and preventing aches and pains by finding a work setup that keeps your body safe and promotes movement. Daily life can be hectic enough (especially these days) without muscle and joint pains disrupting work and play.

Schedule An Appointment

Visit Dr. Peters at OMNE Chiropractic

Often, bodies hurt when they don’t move enough or when they move too much. Don’t let your workday stressors get in the way of your ability to relax and play. Dr. Peters can help find a solution to your workday issues, promoting a healthier and more sustainable work environment that meets your needs. 

 

Here’s a recap:

  1. Workstation Setup!  A desk and chair that fits your body type and promotes movement. Being chained to a desk all day is a brutal way to live. 
  2. Keep your posture in mind but don’t panic. A changing posture that doesn’t require much effort is preferred over slouching or “military posture.”
  3. Added equipment like a headset, lumbar roll, or sit-to-stand workstation are nice but not necessary. Most conditions respond well to movement breaks without the need for fancy or expensive equipment.
  4. Movement variability: take some breaks for exercise and stretching; this is the best way to combat the stressors of sedentary and repetitive work. 

We want you to be as focused and productive as possible. Let our care inspire you to live a healthy life and get the body that you deserve. Call us today to learn more about our ergonomic and movement solutions to your aches and pains. 

“Prolonged sitting has been shown to change the heights and pressures of the lumbar discs at L4-L5. These changes are temporary and can be improved with frequent positional changes.” 

 

“I had a lot of wear and tear on my body from being an ICU nurse and growing up on a farm. After a few visits, Jace has really helped decrease pain and increase range of motion. Thank you Jace.” -Clye P.. // Omaha, NE

“Dr. Peters has made such a difference for me...at high-stress times when I need it most. It is no mystery that high-stress times correlate with greater need for treatment/adjustment. He works with my schedule, and only has me come back when he feels it is necessary. My issues seem to gather in my upper back/shoulders/neck areas. Dr. Peters is always there to give me relief!” -Nancy B. // Omaha, NE

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