When Jaws 2 came out in 1978 the tagline was “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water”… well today I’d like to change that to say “Just when you thought it was safe to work at a desk” and look at 4 common injuries due to working at a desk. ~Tim McMahon, editor
Know the Risks! 4 Common Injuries Your Desk Job Could Give You
In recent years, more and more desk jobs have been popping up. Whether it be working in an office-type environment, or in a call center, office jobs seem to be the future. What many don’t realize, however, is that the number of injuries a desk job can cause. In order to educate you on the potential injuries that a desk job can give you, here’s a compiled a list of things to consider:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The first, and most obvious, injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. If your office job involves a lot of typing, you can easily develop carpal tunnel over time—an unpleasant numbness caused by a pinched nerve. Many people might not realize it, but according to ninds.gov, carpal tunnel syndrome is more than 3 times as common in data-entry personnel.
In order to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome in your office job, ensure your posture is good and maintained throughout the day. You should also take occasional rests from typing when possible.
Eye Strain
For those working an office job with a computer, eye strain can be a big issue. You’ll often spend the majority of your day staring at a computer screen—which can slowly damage your eyes over time. Here are a few things you can do to avoid eyestrain. Simply correcting your computer’s brightness levels can also help tremendously. If you’ve adjusted your brightness settings and found it hasn’t helped, consider that glare can be a major cause of eyestrain. If you have a bright window either behind your screen or behind you you may be experiencing more eye strain. One possible solution is it rearrange your desk to minimize glare. Another way to reduce glare is with a special anti-glare screen for your monitor or a sunshade. Another option is anti-glare glasses which are available in a variety of styles. Blinking more often can also be a big help. Blinking will moisturize your eyes. This will make looking at the computer screen for longer periods less of a strain.
Back Pain
By sitting in a chair for eight+ hours a day, you can easily strain your back over time. Many people often slouch over while at work. This can lead to bad back pain in the future. In order to ensure you don’t run into any back pain, always ensure you’re sitting straight. There are also a variety of back supports that can help you maintain good posture while sitting.
If you have a hard time sitting straight in your office chairs, attempt adjusting the backrest of your chair. Having your backrest up too high or too low can often also mess up your posture. This will make it easier to sustain back injuries.
Migraine & Headaches
Finally, one of the most obvious injuries that can easily be tied to office jobs would be migraines. Many people often experience migraines working in an office environment due to the lighting, or having to stare at a screen for too long. If you are one of these people, try to drink more water and limit caffeine intake at work. Water can, for many people, help migraines go away. It will also help you stay more focused on your work.
https://youtu.be/obe82Cc3uvk
All in all, there are a variety of injuries that can be sustained from an office job. If your condition worsens, affecting your employment, don’t hesitate to take legal action.
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