A remote work space needs the same amount of care in setting up as an office space - complete with ergonomic furniture. In technology, workers can spend up to 12 hours sitting in front of a screen, sometimes longer. Taking breaks, exercise, and healthy eating are desperately needed in that situation, but finding the best ergonomic setup for your office space is important, too. Wrist, back, shoulder, and neck problems often occur from sitting too long in front of a computer. Repetitive stress injuries are common as well, which can result in injuries ranging from tendonitis to carpal tunnel syndrome. Before investing in expensive chairs or other equipment, talk to your doctor. They might recommend an ergonomic evaluation or assessment which will guide you in purchasing ergonomic equipment to help avoid injuries. They might also recommend physical therapy if there is a recurring issue.

Most Common Ergonomic Equipment

Chair

There are many ergonomic chairs on the market, but some are better at addressing specific posture problems more than others. Height, back support, and armrests are a few of the features that will vary from chair to chair and be specific to an individual. Try a few chairs in an office store’s showroom. Also, talk to your doctor and ask for an ergonomic assessment if you want specialized suggestions. Ergonomic chairs range in price from a few hundred dollars into the thousands. Research and professional opinions can help make the investment worthwhile.

Footrest

If purchasing a new ergonomic chair is not within your budget, then a footrest might relieve some stress from sitting. In order to maintain a neutral posture while working, feet should be flat on the floor. The Mayo Clinic offers a tutorial graphic and other suggestions on their website to address ergonomic concerns.

Standing Desk

Studies show that sitting for too long is associated with a number of health problems. A standing desk can build movement into your day without taking you away from work. Remember, for both eye health and overall health, moving every 20 to 30 minutes is recommended by most health professionals. Get your doctor’s input to create a work routine with breaks. And discuss exercise goals. Your doctor can help tailor any routine to your specific health needs.

Keyboard and Mouse

Repetitive stress injuries are serious and can lead to more debilitating conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. Try a few ergonomic keyboards in an office store showroom. In order to maintain a neutral position of the wrists and elbows, a few setups might have to be tried along with your work chair and desk. Check the Mayo Clinic’s website for a full description of proper arm placement. Also, take your keyboard and mouse to your doctor and show them how you’re working. Your doctor might immediately observe where the problem in posture is occurring, which can save you from purchasing extraneous equipment.

Accessories

These include a document holder for transcribing paper documents or a laptop stand. Both help position your work so that your head and neck can remain in a neutral position.

Performing an ergonomic audit of your work space before problems begin will save money, time, and your health. Talk to your doctor and enlist their aid in choosing ergonomic items that will support your individual body’s needs the most. This proactive measure can help you remain focused and productive while taking care of your health.

*It is the reader’s responsibility to evaluate their own medical and physical condition and independently decide how to use the information in this blog post. Always consult your doctor before undergoing any sort of health or health-related treatment.