Why Having An Ergonomic Workstation Is Important To Health?

January 10,2022 – BY DR. HAMAD SHAFQAT

You may not realize that many of your health problems are persisting due to a poorly design workstation or a computer table. You might be feeling discomfort in your neck, shoulders, and back, in your wrists and hands, and even experiencing chronic eyestrain or headaches.

The solution to all this is very simple. You can eliminate many of your health problems with properly designed workstations. You might never know that making simple adjustments in your posture can work wonders.

How Long Working Hours Affect the Health of Working Women?

An increasing health hazard in women is musculoskeletal disorders. Most post-menopausal women suffer from osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, or osteopenia (1). Additionally, women who are working professionals who either have to go to corporate offices or perform their duties from the comfort of their home, often suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) (2).

Such women spend extended periods sitting and working. As a result, their back muscles weaken over time. Since they have to sit for the majority of their work hours, they hunch their shoulders and tilt their head forward. This causes the chest muscles to become tight and the upper-back muscles to weaken. This all leads to chronic pain in the back region and shoulders (3).

How Ergonomics Can Help Working Women?

The study in which a workplace is customized according to the needs and requirements of a person is known as ergonomics (4). A workstation designed ergonomically aims to create such a workplace for working women in which their risk of health and well-being minimizes. 

Keeping in mind the need of an individual woman and then adjusting the workstation according to her need, alignment of her body becomes much better, her body posture improves and the muscles stay in a comfortable and supported position (5).

If you are a working woman suffering from back pain, hunched shoulders, or a slouched posture, it is high time that you have your workstation, either at your home or at your office, designed ergonomically.

Improving sitting posture will not only help you to reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorder. You might be trying to get rid of that flabby tummy but with no success. One of the reasons may be your weak posture. A weak posture may result in a forward tilt of your pelvis making your tummy look bigger. Sitting or standing a long time at your workplace in the wrong position can cause a weak posture (6).

Sitting or standing taller also helps you to breathe better because your lungs get more space to extend (7). Good posture will help you feel more confident and grounded (8). You will feel a lot better about yourself and will be able to carry yourself a lot better among other people.    

When you are at your workplace and sit in an awkward posture, you either start feeling too cold or too warm, which may force unintentional repeated body movements. Hence, your body may start showing symptoms of pain, discomfort, and even fatigue. This is the sign that you might be developing problems related to musculoskeletal system. This is where ergonomics comes in to play and saves the day! (3).

The Bottom Line

Being a professional working woman, your life is already filled with tremendous responsibilities and work-related stress. The last thing you need in your life is avoidable chronic aches and pains. Hence, ensuring a healthy posture should be of paramount importance. Your health and wellness will not only benefit you but is also crucial for your loved ones and your family!

References:

⦁ Khadilkar SS. Musculoskeletal Disorders and Menopause. J Obstet Gynecol India. 2019 Apr 1;69(2):99–103.

⦁ CDC. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders & Ergonomics [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Mar 24]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/health-strategies/musculoskeletal-disorders/index.html

⦁ Musculoskeletal disorders and prolonged static sitting: OSHwiki [Internet]. [cited 2021 Mar 24]. Available from: https://oshwiki.eu/wiki/Musculoskeletal_disorders_and_prolonged_static_sitting

⦁ U.S. Department of Labor. Ergonomics - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration [Internet]. [cited 2021 Mar 22]. Available from: https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics

⦁ Salina. The Body and Mind Benefits of an Ergonomic Workstation [Internet]. workingwise. 2019 [cited 2021 Mar 22]. Available from: https://workingwise.nz/the-body-and-mind-benefits-of-an-ergonomic-workstation/

⦁ Wilke M. Belly not budging? It might be your posture [Internet]. Health24. [cited 2021 Mar 22]. Available from: https://www.news24.com/health24/fitness/news/belly-not-budging-it-might-be-your-posture-20200727

⦁ Jonaitis J. 12 Benefits of Good Posture — and How to Maintain It [Internet]. Healthline. 2018 [cited 2021 Mar 22]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/posture-benefits

⦁ Frey M. 5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Posture While Losing Weight [Internet]. Verywell Fit. [cited 2021 Mar 24]. Available from: https://www.verywellfit.com/easy-ways-to-get-better-posture-3495400