Perhaps no occupational malady is more studied and less understood than Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Most experts agree that "repetitive action" is a common component and it is clear that keyboard intensive work requires precisely this type of activity. However, there is a large body of clinical study that attributes the problem more directly to genetic or general (seemingly unrelated) health issues such as obesity.
It is clear that an ergonomic keyboard, for example, offers at least the strong possibility of changing the dynamic side of the Syndrome's causes. As well, these keyboards and related products such as gloves and wrist splints, if nothing else, enable users to more comfortably (in the immediate short term, anyway), operate. However, we believe that a more global approach that considers collateral mitigation makes a lot of sense. As well, these complementary practices carry little or no counter party cost concerns.
We have written elsewhere about the serious health issues that have recently been raised by large scale studies of the "sitting disease" phenomenon. As populations become more sedentary (spending more time in cars, sitting in front of the television, clacking away at keyboards at work and home) an American Cancer Society Study over a 10 year period concluded that long periods of "sitting" are as big a health risk as smoking! Especially among women, mortality rates comparing sitting for 6 or more hours a day to 3 hours or less determined that, among a control group of over 70,000 women, death rate during the study was 94% higher among the "sitters".
There are chairs, such as the line designed by Peter Opsvik, that directly address this segment of the issue and their use is highly encouraged. These chairs, which are quite stylish and comfortable themselves nonetheless require more or less constant small adjustment. These adjustments are essentially not "noticed" by the user, but create minute but critical variations in muscle flexion, blood flow and respiratory modulation. When combined with an ergonomic keyboard and, if appropriate, a wrist brace, it is quite easy to set the stage for desk bound worker to labor in a manner that is at once comfortable and significantly much healthier.
As we study work related environmental and ergonomic consequences in space and equipment planning for the modern office, we realize that there is no magic bullet to halt or even palliate Carpal Tunnel Sitting Disease or any of the ills brought on by less active lifestyles. We advocate a suite of solutions that include intelligent seating, smart keyboards and designing work stations and office settings that encourage movement. Where possible it is a great idea to alternate work assignments in a team office and to force breaks and small windows of time to simply "walk around" for thirty seconds every half hour.
Individually, all of the above can have one to one incremental benefit, but when all are brought together in a single environment, genuine synergistic health benefit can be substantial. Its all about getting a grip and moving around.
Event Horizon is a specialist in a sprawling market. The company concentrates its product lines into the very specific electrical outlets, wire systems, grommet selections, data cables, ergonomic keyboards, power configurations and related items called for when systems need to be "user friendly". Nick and his support staff are thoroughly knowledgeable about the technical and practical applications of the products that transform panels and pieces of furniture into cohesive and productive work spaces. Find us athttp://www.eventhorizonpvdc.com
No comments:
Post a Comment