Computer Posture: Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Ergonomics, or the study of workplace design, is more a case of common sense than hard science. When arranging your workstation, there are two main considerations: comfort and safety. By comfort, we mean that you shouldn’t have to crick your neck to see the monitor, prop yourself up on cushions to use the keyboard or crawl under the desk to reach your computer’s CD drive. By safety, however, we must consider the dangers of using a computer for prolonged periods. Chief amongst the hazards is Repetitive Strain Injury, or RSI, involving such unpleasant complaints as tenosynovitis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Regular breaks and stretching exercises are advisable during a long session at desk but equally important is adopting a sensible posture. Above all, any discomfort is a sign of stress, so respect your body’s signals and take action before it is too late. RSI is a debilitating and often agonizing condition.