WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

The vital importance of sitting right

How much time do you spend at a desk each day? If you’re like most people, probably more than you’d like to, and certainly more than is good for your health.  

In fact, emerging research shows that sitting for long periods of time contributes to the risk of metabolic syndrome, heart attack and stroke, as well as increases the risk of death from any cause.  This is true even if you workout regularly, since it’s the aggregate movement that counts. 

While we aren’t suggesting that you quit your day job and go out and play (as nice as that sounds), there are ways to improve the situation, beginning with how you sit.

Use the following check list each time and soon, ‘sitting right’ will become second nature:

 1.1.       Align your ears, shoulders and hips

 1.2.       Roll shoulders back and down, keeping your back in one straight line

 1.3.       Hold elbows close to the body with forearms level with your table or  keyboard

 1.4.       Adjust your chair height so that hips and knees are at a 90 degree  angle and keep feet flat on the floor

 1.5.       Adjust lumbar support to sit in the small of the back

 1.6.       When using a computer, have mouse adjacent to and at same height  as keyboard

 1.7.       Have monitor roughly an arms length away, with one-third of its view  at eye level

In addition, try to take regular breaks - standing or walking whenever possible to get circulation moving, and invest in the best ergonomic chair affordable.

Need some professional advice about which chairs to choose or if you are properly aligned while seated?  We’re here to help.  Drop by to an upcoming workshop or speak to the doctors during your next visit.

Yours in health,

Dr. David J. Rowe