Office Setup
Office Setup
Is Your Office Setup Letting You Down?
Did you know that your desk position could be causing your neck and shoulder pain?
Do you ever leave the office with tight shoulders, aching wrists, or tired eyes?
Of course, most of us have, and often we associate those pains and discomforts with the demand of the job or the stress in our lives, but what you are feeling could be related to how you sit or stand at your desk!
That’s right, your positioning has a lot to do with how you feel and how well you perform.
Here is what you should feel and look like at your desk:
The weight of your arms is supported so that you are not using your neck and shoulders to hold them in position to type.
The weight of your head should be directly above the neck, not craned forward.
Your chair is as close to your work as possible to avoid leaning and reaching.
Your computer monitor is placed directly in front of you with the top no higher than eye level, and the keyboard is directly in front of the monitor.
Your keyboard and mouse are close enough to prevent excessive reaching.
Your monitor is at least an arm’s length away to avoid eye strain.
Your feet are not dangling when you are seated.
Any changes you need to make?
I spent several months having physiotherapy for pain that was caused by the setup of my desk. I was working in IT at the time, and I then went on and decided to teach others in our office how to sit correctly and set up their desk correctly. It became part of the induction of new staff, and everyone benefited.
If you are experiencing pain in the shoulders or wrists or tired eyes, speak to your HR or IT Department and see if they can help with the desk position.
I hope you have enjoyed this information. Until next time!
Emma Alexander-Cook.
