Ergonomics, the definition of that word must be the ability to contort oneself while remaining completely still in front of backlit screen for hours while tapping just your fingertips on plastic buttons in an orderly fashion to conduct business. Actually to correct definition goes something like the science of man relating to his work and applying efficient usage of human energy.

Up until about a month or so ago I never really paid too much attention to office, or more specifically computer usage ergonomics. I would read about it here and there in magazine articles and hear it on the news but always thought, I sit up straight when I type I’m fine. That was until one recent morning when my neck and back had other ideas and decided to notify me by waking me up so pleasantly with a surprise in the form of neck stiffness combined with a massive migraine headache.

Taking the advice of “mom” I decided to call my local chiropractor and make an appointment for the next day. There I learned all about the proper form when sitting at a computer desk. How to stretch and exercise to relieve built up stiffness and tension.

The importance of proper ergonomics cannot be overemphasized enough. Millions of office workers spend endless hours in front of computers and do not pay proper attention to their posture and positioning relative to the work space. Just as a welder wears the proper mask to protect their eyes, and a surgeon wears the proper mask and gloves to protect themselves from pathogens, the “office” worker should have the proper chair, arm rests and correct computer monitor height.

It’s amazing how we’ll spend thousands of dollars on a computer system and technology and then sit on a fifty dollar chair for hours on end and wonder why our backs are sore?

Do your homework, go online and search for the proper way to sit at a computer. Pay attention to the height of your monitor, the distance you are away from hit. How do you have your keyboard and mouse placed? What’s the angle of your wrists when you type? Are you getting proper back support from your chair? Does it have arm-rests? Are your feet on the floor as they should be? These are questions that you should be asking yourself. During the day when your working be sure to take breaks often. It’s advisable to stand every 30 to 40 minutes. This gets you out of the seated position reliving pressure on your spine. Take time to learn simple stretches that you can do at your desk to relief tension and muscle fatigue. You would be surprised that just taking a few simple steps can greatly improve your “ergonomics” and help alleviate the dreaded “pretzel” shoulder feeling.