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Ergonomics is sometimes referred to as human engineering. It is the science of arranging and designing things that people use to make them more efficient and safer.
Ergonomics is important to everyone because we all do things that we know are not in the best interest of our body. Do you sit in a chair that is not properly aligned for your body? Does it have armrests? Are you using a dining room chair in front of your computer? You get the idea, but it is actually much more comprehensive than these basic ideas.
OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) estimates that $9.1 Billion dollars per year would be saved by adherence to their guidelines. While it is the law that your employer provides an ergonomically safe work area, many of us are very lax when it comes to our homes. Here are just a few of the medical conditions that OSHA identifies on their web site as possible injuries or conditions that may be related to ergonomics:
- ganglion cysts
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- bursitis
- tendonitis
I am not trying to say that your work area needs a complete overhaul. However, for your own health and safety, it is probably a good idea to have a look at both your work area and areas at home to see if you can improve the conditions that could result from poor ergonomics. My mother-in-law suffered from terrible wrist pain, but was never diagnosed with carpal tunnel. Once she started doing some strength training for her forearms and bought an electric mixer for the kitchen, the pain eventually subsided.
I see a lot of people who self-diagnose. You need to visit your doctor and get a diagnosis and treatment regimen, if you have not done so. Even if you think this is a recurrence of a previous condition, your doctor is the best person to help you lay out a treatment plan and to help you determine the cause of the pain.
If you find that ergonomics are a major cause of the pain, it should be easy to fix to prevent future problems.

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