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The pain of ergonomics and cumulative
trauma disorder |
by Kendra Muhammad
(FinalCall.com)-- According to Comprehensive Loss
Management, Inc. (CLMI), a common health hazard afflicting workers today
is cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) illness.
Workers have made good use of machinery and other
equipment that is continuously being updated to allow for speed,
accuracy and efficiency, but, "The body has subtle limitations, and
industries are seeing the need to evaluate the relationships and
interactions between workers and the machines they operate."
The science that deals with the study of the
relationship between humans and machines with the focus on
physiological, psychological, and technological requirements is called
ergonomics. Understanding ergonomics as a worker and as an employer is
critical because the idea behind ergonomics is to work smarter, not
harder; and to avoid CTD illness.
Tasks that require a lot of force and/or the worker
to be in an awkward position along with repetitive motion over a long
period of time can create an imbalance in the ergonomic relationship.
This imbalance can cause CTD illness, otherwise known as Repetitive
Trauma and can affect many parts of the body, including your hands,
arms, wrists, elbows, neck, back, hips, knees, ankles, or legs by
damaging the muscles, tendons and joints.
There are two classifications of CTD: Tendonitis and
Nerve Compression. There are many tendons throughout the body. They
connect the muscles to the bones and whenever you move certain parts of
the body, the tendons are affected. Tendonitis occurs when the
tendons become irritated and swollen because of forceful or repetitive
movements.
The swelling of the tendons places pressure on the
nerves resulting in tingling, numbness and burning sensations. This is
called nerve compression and it is associated with tendonitis. Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common type of nerve compression.
There are several factors which increase the risk of
developing CTD illness. Usually the damage has already been done by the
time symptoms appear; sometimes months or even years may pass before a
problem is suspected. For this reason, it is important to understand
beforehand conditions that contribute to the onset of CTD illness and
use preventive measures to decrease risk factors.
Risks associated with CTD illness:
� Poor body posture including sitting, standing,
and moving incorrectly; bent wrists, outstretched arms, elbows away from
body; slumping or slouching; constant bending, reaching, twisting
movements.
� Force including lifting heavy objects
improperly; constant gripping or pinch gripping; consistently pressing
against hard surfaces; using excessive and unnecessary force.
� Repetitive movements including braiding and
other hair styling methods; assembly lines work; stapling; typing.
� Poor physical condition including not warming
up when exercising; loss of strength and flexibility of the muscles,
tendons, and other tissue structures; decreased mobility.
� Direct nerve pressure including using the palm
of the hand as a hammer.
� Cold temperatures including working in the
cold; not protecting wrists, arms, etc. from the cold elements.
� Improperly set up work area including high
stress; excessive noise; poor lighting; improper positioning of chairs
to workstation; out of reach items causing reaching, bending, pulling,
etc.
� It is important to know that one of the risk
factors alone usually does not cause the onset of CTD illness, but
rather a combination. According to CLMI, the more factors combined in a
particular task, the greater the risk of developing CTD illness.
Ways to prevent, treat and manage CTD illness:
Prevention Techniques
� Exercise and stay fit to increase flexibility and
strength.
� Change body positions frequently to increase
circulation and relieve tension.
� Use supports, splints, tool balancers, fixtures or
jigs, and other mechanical assists in relieving force and repetitive
movements.
� Set up safe workstations by using neutral positions
which keeps shoulders leveled and relaxed, head upright, arms and wrists
straight, elbows close to the sides, feet flat on the floor or supported
by a foot rest.
� Adequate rest and stress management techniques.
Management Techniques
� Specific exercises as shown by physician, which may
include shoulder rolls, arm circles, certain body stretches, back and
shoulder arch.
� Temporary immobility to rest affected body parts.
� Frequent change of positions and performing
alternative tasks to avoid stiffness and impaired circulation.
� The use of splints and supports.
Treatment Techniques
� Rest and immobilization to allow acute disorder to
become more manageable.
� Ice packs and ice massages to reduce inflammation
and swelling. Usually an average of 10-15 minutes to effected areas
several times a day.
� Medication as prescribed by physician for pain and
inflammation.
� Certain exercises as prescribed by physician.
� Deep friction massages to promote blood flow within
inflamed tissue.
� Ultrasound to increase healing and blood flow.
� For more information on Cumulative Trauma Disorder
illness, contact CLMI at 1-800-533-2762.
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