Ergonomics

er·go·nom·ics – The study of efficiency in working environments.

Many ailments can be provoked or prevented depending on how you use and position your body every day.

 “You’d better quit making that silly face, or it might get stuck that way for good.” –Aunt Creep

 

                 Somewhat of a joke and somewhat truthful; the soft tissues surrounding your spine include muscles, joints, ligaments, and intervertebral discs. These soft tissues have scientifically demonstrated what is called creep or hysteresis. This is observed when a force or pressure is applied to an area over a period of time in which the soft tissues then mold and reform to its new resting position. Not so scary when talking about a silly face, but a monster of a problem when applied to your spine. This includes cases where a patient has slouched so often for so long, that they lose the normal, healthy lordotic curvature in the lumbar and cervical spine. Or maybe a patient simply falls asleep in an awkward position, only to wake up feeling extremely stiff and restricted. A patient might habitually tuck one leg under their butt when sitting down to the point where it feels weird and uncomfortable to be sitting any other way.

            Take some time to think about what positions that you are putting your body in throughout the day (and night). Are these ideal postures for your soft tissues to be adapting to? Break up the longest periods of positioning with some range of motion exercises and stretches. If you work at a desk, seriously consider building or buying a standing workspace or at least boost your computer monitor up with some books to eye level. If you already have years of dysfunction built up from awkward positioning, choose chiropractic care to help you relieve some of that tension and teach your body a more efficient way of doing what you love to do.

Move your body,

Kelly Baltuska, DC