Office Health: Ergonomics
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This video first ran in February 2011.
In this segment Adam discusses the reality of workplace ergonomics.
Adam Ridgewell: Ergonomics these days are designed to make sure that you stay in your workplace for longer hours. Because your deadlines now in this competitive world, especially now in this economic turn down, we’re looking at trying to create as much revenue as we can, so that means more work, more deadlines to meet. Your bosses are going to want you stay in your seat for longer hours and some manufacturers have gotten hold of this idea and have done for years.
So what they’re doing is fitting you with ‘ergonomic‘ chairs. Ergonomics is just a fancy way of saying, ‘we’re going to keep you supported in your seat for longer hours.’
Now that’s like putting your whole body into an orthotic, which may go into your shoe, but you’re putting your whole body into something like that. You’ve got lumbar support, arm rests that are perfect height, and you’ll stay like that because it’s comfortable. But what’s going to happen is as soon as you leave that environment of support, that’s when you’re going to end up injuring yourself.
If you’re spending two thirds of your life in bed sleeping and you’re spending the rest in a supported chair or some sort of ergonomically supported environment, you’re going to end up with a very small percentage of your life actually moving the way the human body is supposed to move.
In this way, yes, your ergonomics are going to keep you comfortable and that’s what you’ll find at most work places, but for me, and I do spend some time at the computer as well as treating patients, but this (large ball) that I’m sitting on is the correct ergonomics for me. It’s keeping me active whilst I sit so I can move around from side to side, back and forth. And I can actually use the buoyancy of this ball to get up a lot easier all the time.
Other titles in this series:
The truth about ergonomic office furniture
Adam Ridgewell is an Osteopath and the owner the Fredericton Centre for Osteopathy in New Brunswick.
Awesome stuff.
I actually tried using a swiss ball for work last year for my chair, but I kept sliding off the ball and could not get comfortable. I think the ball was too big for me. Anyone know if there are different sizes available, and if so, how do I know which one is right for me? I am 5’8.
Hey there Margaret!
Thanks for your post. The best balls out there are Duraball Pro (www.fitter1.com- This is a locally-based distribution company (Calgary). These balls are made in Australia, from a very good non-slip material(Duralon). In fact I’m sitting on one in the video! You’ll need a 55cm ball, based on your height. They’re about $85-90, which is a bit of a bulky bill for most folks but it’s going to last a lot longer, in terms of buoyancy and shape, than your regular department store ball at $40; which will look like an egg in a few months! If you’re wearing a skirt, this may be a cause of you slipping on the ball. Once you’ve got your new ball pumped up, your knees should be about 1-2 inches BELOW your hips, when sitting on it, without heels. You might also be interested in a saddle seat too- check these out at http://www.bambach.com
Good luck with everything! I hope I answered all your questions!
Adam