As you're reading this article, how far is the paper from your eyes? Is your head bent? Is your torso twisted? If you're sitting, are your feet flat on the floor?

These are just a few of the factors occupational therapists consider when assessing whether your body and environment are a good fit, said Ricky Joseph, OTR/L, assistant professor of the department of occupational therapy in the Medical College of Georgia School of Allied Health Sciences.

The fit is particularly important in the workplace, where many people spend most of their waking hours, Joseph said.

"The goal is to achieve neutral posture in the workplace. If the posture is contorted, pain that might not even be noticeable initially can accumulate and cause muscle tightness, headaches, nerve compressions and other cumulative trauma disorders," he said.

Ideally, he said, occupational therapists start from scratch to create a work environment that emphasizes neutral posture. More often, their task is to optimize the existing environment.

To achieve neutral posture, occupational therapists assess body measurements such as stature, eye height, shoulder height, sitting height and vertical reach.

"In office settings, we start with the desk height and make adjustments so that, for example, the head and neck are facing forward and aligned with the torso," Joseph said. "We also want the trunk to be perpendicular to the floor, the shoulders and arms aligned with the torso, the upper arms and elbows close to the body, the forearms, wrists and hands in a straight line, the thighs parallel to the floor and the feet flat on the floor or supported by a stable foot rest."

Occupational therapists also recommend putting frequently used items within forearm's reach.

"You shouldn't have to reach forward or twist to reach things you often need," he said.

Moderately used items should be within reach of the fully extended arm. The head should be level when looking at a computer screen or documents, and placement of the computer should minimize glare from windows.

Work tables and work benches should be 2 to 4 inches above elbow height if working with light objects, 4 to 6 inches below elbow height if working with moderately heavy objects and 6 to 16 inches below elbow height if working with heavy objects.

"You need your upper-torso weight to push on heavy objects," Joseph said.

He also teaches lifting techniques and suggests ways to minimize the risk of repetitive-motion injuries.

His students' coursework includes assessing work sites and recommending improvements.

"After our evaluation, we make presentations to the management about how the environment can be cost-effectively improved," Joseph said.

For information about ergonomics or to request a work-site evaluation, call Joseph at 706-721-3641or email him at rjoseph@mcg.edu.

— Medical College of Georgia

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