Sit Up!

As the leaves begin to turn, football games dominate TV airtime and pumpkin flavor items can be found all throughout the grocery store, fall is in the air.  It is also a time to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month. 

As you sit on your computer to read this blog excerpt, let’s pause and take a second to think about your health and well-being.  One area that you can make a difference in right now is computer ergonomics (adjusting the way your computer work environment is set up).  Did you just notice that you sat up and put both feel flat on the floor as I mentioned that?  Don’t worry…you are not alone!  People are now sitting in front of a computer for more and more hours a day without thinking about how it impacts the body.  The United States Department of Labor and Occupational Safety & Health Administration outline simple and inexpensive tips to improve your computer workstation.  Here are a few quick tips to look at right now:

·       Adjust the monitor height to have the top of the monitor at or just below eye level
·       Position the monitor an arm’s length away
·       Adjust the screen position to eliminate glare
·       Position elbows at a 90 degree angle, with elbows close to the body and forearms parallel to the floor.         Keep wrists straight and supported by a foam pad or chair armrest
·       Keep the mouse close to the keyboard, at or below elbow height
·       Choose a chair that supports the lower back and keep the shoulders relaxed
·       Position your chair so that your knees are at or below hip height and thighs are parallel to the floor
·       Position feet flat on the floor

And most importantly, take breaks!  Physical Therapy Department, Celebrate the Children

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/index.html