January 2012 brings you the third instalment of ‘Health in the Workplace’, produced in conjunction with Search Office Space – the Office Space Search Experts, and London Laser Clinic’s Consultant Surgeon and Health Expert, Mr Mike Dilkes. This month, we aim to bring you some expert advice on how to prevent back pain, repetitive strain injury (RSI) and some top tips for looking after your joints or any soft tissue injuries.
“Did you know that back pain and musculoskeletal disorders are the UK’s second and third major causes of long term sickness and absence from work?” says Mike Dilkes. For employers, this is a worrying fact as the ill-health of your staff can affect your business hugely. It is also important for workers to understand that there are measures you can take to prevent injury or sickness of this kind.
Many people assume that back injuries only occur in workplaces associated with manual labour, as heavy lifting is often involved. However, back injuries can, and do, affect workers in all industry sectors. “Bad posture or sitting at your workstation for long periods of time can contribute to back pain, joint problems and RSI due to keyboard and mouse use in a set-up which is not ergonomically sound. One of the best ways of prevention is to manage pain before it strikes” says Mr Dilkes.
Search Office Space and Mr Dilkes suggest these top tips:
- Take short breaks away from your desk and ensure you take a lunch break away from your computer.
- Regular stretching exercises can be done at your desk which also helps muscular pain and circulation.
- Asses your posture – is your chair at the optimum level so that you are sitting upright rather than hunched over your keyboard?
- By ensuring the arm of your chair is level with your desk means that your arm will be in line with your mouse and reduce the risk of RSI.
- Try to vary your role each day so as to prevent fatigue and reduce stress levels which could cause you to hold your body in a rigid fashion.
- Bend your knees, place feet shoulder width apart and keep your back straight when lifting heavy objects. Tightening your abdominal muscles when lifting will also prevent any excessive force on your spine.
- Lastly, if you do feel a twinge, or the beginnings of any type of pain, inform your employer sooner rather than later, as the necessary rehabilitation techniques can be put into place.
“Repetitive strain injury (RSI) affects an estimated one million people in the UK and is the major cause of absence from working environments, which means employers have it in their best interest to help staff minimise the risk of injury or pain. Another top tip for joint or soft tissue injuries is to follow the ‘RICE procedure’ which involves Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation of the injured limb. After two days of this treatment, heat can also be applied to the injury which will encourage blood flow and help speed up the recovery process” says Mike Dilkes.
