In all the outpatient facilities I have worked at, the #1 condition that remains prevalent is… you guessed it, back problems. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to take care of your back. It is one area of your body that remains in constant contraction whether you are sitting, standing or lying. It needs to be strong, it needs to be mobile and most of all, protected at all times. Here are a few figures that will give you more insight in taking care of your back.
- When sitting choose a chair that has a backrest. It should be at an angle of 105-110 degrees to the seat.
- When standing, the work surface should be waist high or slightly below so that the elbows are bent no more than 10-15 degrees below the right angle.
- A worktop that is used for writing or reading should slope upwards 10-15 degrees.
- The distance of eye to a computer screen should be between 50-90 cm.
- If you have to be in stooped position to do something ( e.g. gardening), restore the upright position every 10 minutes.
- For do it yourself home improvement activities (such as woodworking), rest one foot up on a low footstool 10-16 cm. high.