Awkward Postures

For Example:

• A monitor positioned too high can cause you to tilt your head back, which fatigues the neck and shoulder muscles.

• A keyboard tray that is too small can cause you to move the mouse to a position of the desk that requires you to reach to perform mouse tasks. This pulls the elbow away from the body and can cause you to support your arm in an elevated position for an extended period of time.

• A keyboard that is too low causes you to bend your wrists at extreme angles, which can cause the finger tendons and tendon sheaths to bend around the bones of the wrist.

Working in awkward postures can irritate or strain the bone-tendon-muscle connections.

• Muscles can be stretched or compressed causing them to be inefficient and resulting in possible fatigue and overexertion.

• Non-neutral postures can pull and stretch tendons, blood vessels, and nerves over ligaments or bone where they can become pinched and restricted.

• Tendons and their sheaths can rub on bone and ligaments, which can lead to irritation and fraying. This can lead to swelling within confined areas such as the carpal tunnel, which then restricts nerves and blood vessels.

• Tingling and numbness of the fingers and hands as well as pain from tendinitis and tenosynovitis (inflammation of a tendon sheath) can result.

A properly adjusted workstation can help minimize awkward postures. Place the monitor in front of you at a height where you can look straight ahead and not tilt your head forward or backward. Place frequently used items, such as keyboards and pointing devices where you can reach them easily. Adjust and arrange keyboard trays and chairs so you don't have to bend your wrists up, down, or to the side. Adjust your chair so your feet and back are well supported. Proper neutral postures allow you to work with minimal stress on the musculoskeletal system.