“Sit up straight!”

“Stand tall or you’ll get rounded shoulders!”

I can recall my mother telling me these things frequently when I was growing up. It was embarrassing at times! But now, as an adult, I do notice the number of people around me who have terrible posture, including plenty of rounded shoulders and big bumps on necks and backs. Sometimes there are people who were once young and nimble who now are not even all that old, but find themselves unable to straighten up. My mother may not have known the term “ergonomics” at the time, but she understood the essence of creating the right environment for our bodies to function in a healthy way.

I thought I just naturally tended to slouch, but many conversations with health providers have convinced me that workplace ergonomics exist because no one naturally slouches. Our bodies are actually beautifully designed; slouching comes from not putting our back and abdominal muscles to work doing what they are intended for (keeping things straight). I have always admired professional dancers for their beautiful posture. Although their work can lead to repetitive strain injuries, they carry themselves very well.

So the question becomes: How do we strike a balance and maintain a healthy body without strain or injury?

Applied ergonomics can help! Dancing in a way that builds strength and muscle without the harm of overworking knees, hips, and ankles is very healthy. I was never much of a dancer, but I did play in concert and marching bands for many years. You have to sit up straight to get the air to blow into a wind instrument and you have to stand straight in the marching band in order to play and move at the same time.

Whether we dance, play musical instruments, or are avid runners, it’s all about taking note of where our body parts are and adjusting them when needed. At work, it means using the right tools for the job. Adapted handles to fit the way our hands grip and work, chairs that adjust to fit a range of sizes and body types, and even the weight of doors that we push or pull, all affect how ergonomic our environment is.

This doesn’t mean that we all have to take up an instrument, dance, or run. The point is to take note of what you are doing, what your body is doing, and then make a conscious decision to do it properly. Stand straighter, line your back up straight, and sit well at equipment that you use at work (whether it’s a piece of moving machinery or a computer). Grab a few friends and hire an instructor to lead a class where you can learn how to develop muscle tone, support your frame, and help you to stand straight and tall. That’s ergonomics at work and play.

For a great place to learn about workplace ergonomics, visit www.velsoftcourseware.com. Check out their training courseware for Workplace Ergonomics: Injury Prevention Through Ergonomics.