How many of you at home have a laptop and use it for either work or personal use in the following ways?
It would be very difficult for many of us to say that we have never used the laptop in the ways as demonstrated above. So, what can you do to improve your current home or work laptop ergonomics?
Laptop Accessories
Probably the easiest way to change your laptop working ergonomics and posture is to invest in a quality laptop stand, separate keyboard and mouse. It is almost impossible to have good posture when using a laptop as you are required to flex your knee, often slouch and type or use the mouse tracking pad with internally rotated shoulders. Whilst these postures are generally ok for periods of short term laptop use. Long term laptop use in these postures is only going to increase your risk of developing neck, shoulder, back and upper limb strains and sprains. The image below is a great example of what our posture can be like when we use a laptop on a couch or desk. The far right image represents a much improved ergonomic workstation set up with the worker using the laptop stand, keyboard and mouse.
The image below is a great example of a worker who has modified his workstation to improve his laptop ergonomics.
This image below is a close up of the equipment used to improve ones laptop workstation ergonomics.
The image below is an example of a portable laptop stand with keyboard. Whilst there are much better stands to use for a permanent workstation area, this is a great example of how one can improve their workstation when travelling.
If you are required to work from home or whilst travelling, then be sure to chat to your Occupational Health and Safety Rep or Human Resources about how to improve your laptop workstation ergonomics. For more information on ergonomic risk assessments, be sure to check out Corporate Work Health Australia, one so Australia’s leading providers. Corporate Work Health Australia has trained Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists conducting ergonomic risk assessments across all major cities in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Canberra and Hobart). Check us out online at www.corporateworkhealth.com.
This blog was written by Osteopath Heath Williams. Heath is the director of Principle Four Osteopathy and Corporate Work Health Australia. Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD 3000 leading Osteopathic clinics. The clinic is located in the heart of the Melbourne CBD at 29 Somerset Place (near the corner of Little Bourke & Elizabeth St). Appointments can be made by calling 03 9670 9290 or booking online @ www.principlefourosteopathy.com.