Small changes to how you sit and work can take strain off your back, neck and wrists.
Ergonomics is the study of how people move at work. It aims to prevent soft-tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders caused by sudden or sustained force, vibration, repetitive motion and awkward postures. Ergonomists help companies set up workspaces around what people’s bodies can comfortably do.
Helpful resources
- UCLA Ergonomics: workstation set-up and office ergonomics
- Cleveland Clinic: the health effects of poor posture
- ERGO Healthy: self-care and work-at-home ergonomics
- Aspen Risk Management Group: ergonomics programs
Workstation guides (PDF)
- Ergonomic Workstation (PDF, 63 KB)
- Quick Steps: Setting Up Your Workstation (PDF, 371 KB)
- ERGO Healthy: 12 Steps of Self Care, by Kate Montgomery (PDF, 1.1 MB)
- ERGO Healthy: Work at Home, Remote Ergonomic Assessment (PDF, 312 KB)
- General Ergonomics Solutions (2019) (PDF, 935 KB)
- Stretch & Flex (MCLB) (PDF, 961 KB)
Draft: The six PDF guides are the ones from the old Ergonomics page, at their old addresses (#164). Four old links were dropped: two now redirect to unrelated pages, and two (CDC, Mayo Clinic) couldn't be checked automatically.
Pain from your desk setup?
Dr. Fred offers ergonomic and postural evaluations. A first-time consultation (5–10 minutes) is free.