Good Ergonomics to Promote Health and Wellness for Children  Occupational Therapists assist people with a broad range of health and wellness issues that affect their ability to participate in and enjoy everyday activities. Occupational therapy practitioners (OT's) are trained in the structure and function of the human body. One specialty area of occupational therapy is ergonomics. OT's that specialize in ergonomics identify the components of the workplace that facilitate a healthy and efficient environment and ones that could cause injury or illness. An occupational therapist can help employers identify hazards that may contribute to on-the-job injury, and determine how it can be eliminated.
Good ergonomics prevent injury and promote health, safety, and comfort for individuals of all ages. Occupational therapists also work to promote good body positioning and body mechanics for children. Here are some ergonomic tips to facilitate health and wellness for the school aged child: For a school aged child, the backpack is a source of concern for many occupational therapists. Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain and strain. It is important to take steps to help children load and wear backpacks the correct way to avoid health problems. Loading a Pack: * A child's backpack should weigh no more than about 15% of his or her body weight. This means a student weighing 100 pounds shouldn't wear a loaded school backpack heavier than about 15 pounds. * Load heaviest items closest to the child's back (the back of the pack). * Check what your child carries to school and brings home. Make sure the items are necessary for the day's activities. Wearing a Pack: * Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort. * Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied. * Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the child's back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles. * Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack's weight more evenly. * The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child's waistline. Children are becoming proficient with computers at younger and younger ages. Many children of all ages spend hours behind a computer screen. Occupational therapists understand how the body and mind work together. Proper body positioning is important in maintaining a pain-free computer experience. Proper Computer Position: * Your head should be level with the monitor, with the top of the screen at eye level. * Your forearms should be parallel to the keyboard and held only slightly above it. * Your lower back should be supported while sitting in front of a computer. If your chair doesn't allow this, place a small pillow or rolled up towel between your lower back and the chair for back support. * Your feet should rest flat on the floor or on a footrest. If you cannot reach the floor, stack boxes or telephone books so you can rest your feet comfortably. * Take a 2-minute stretch break away from the computer every 30 minutes. (information retrieved from www.aota.org)
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April is national occupational therapy month. The purpose is to spotlight the importance of occupational therapy and what it entails. In the simplest terms, occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes (retrieved from aota.org).