New flexable, nearly flat, water resistant keyboard.

Ergonomic Evolution now offers this great new keyboard – The Rollo Keyboard  by Anatome.

Rollo Keyboard

The Rollo Keyboard is a super-slim, light weight flexible keyboard. It connects via USB / PS2 and is resistant to water, alcohol and other disinfectants, making it an ideal addition to a healthcare environment.(comes with a 1 year warranty)

Rollo Keybvoard tray

This keyboard is also ideal for ergonomic typing.  Simply place it on your work surface and your wrists are placed in a straight neutral position, thus preventing CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).  A great alternative to typing on small and narrow laptop or netbooks and completely portable.

This product is brand new – Contact us today to be the first to get yours. The price is $44.99 plus shipping. Click here to purchase yours online today!

Rollo Keyboard

Rollo Keyboad

Ergonomic questions or behaviors that may apply to you.

Do you find at the end of the day when you get up out of your office chair that you stretch just like when you get out of bed in the morning?

Do you find yourself sitting on the edge of your chair while working at your desk?

Do you find yourself slouching while working at the computer?

If you are right handed, is everything you use on the right side of your desk?

Do your feet fall asleep while sitting in an office chair?

At the end of the work day are you confused as to why you are exhausted and all you have been doing is sitting at your desk?

Do you know why your eyes are fatigued and dry?

Do you have an expensive office chair but you back still hurts?

If you have every asked or wondered about any of these questions or have just noticed these behaviors about yourself, you are not alone. The good news is they all have answers or solutions that are just for you.

Ergonomic Evolution can help with these issues and more that you may not even be aware of. Ergonomics is a process of improvement with the goal of optimum health and productivity. If you or someone you know has ever mentioned the above questions or subjects, a work site evaluation is the answer and Ergonomic Evolution is your source for all things ergonomic. Contact us today to start the path of ergonomic recovery, health, and prosperity.

Office Study Urges Proactive Approach to Reduce Ergonomic Pain

• Oct 25, 2009  Source: OH&S

A proactive ergonomic intervention reduces pain related to poor work postures in office employees, reports a study in the October Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

But just buying ergonomic desks and chairs isn’t enough–setup and adjustment by a professional ergonomist is an essential part of the proactive ergonomic approach, according to the study led by Jasminka Goldoni Laestadius, M.D., Ph.D., of The World Bank’s Joint Bank/Fund Health Services Department.

Prompted by a move to a new World Bank headquarters, the researchers designed a study to determine whether a proactive approach to ergonomics could reduce pain and other symptoms in office workers. One group of workers received new ergonomic office furniture, along with information on how to set it up. Another group also received new furniture and information, plus personalized setup by a professional ergonomist.

The proactive approach reduced symptoms of musculoskeletal pain and eye strain, but only for workers receiving an expert work station setup. This group also had a significant increase in productivity. Neither group had a significant reduction in sick leave.

The reduction in symptoms was clearly related to improved work postures—”Better postures meant less pain,” the researchers write. “This verifies our experience that equipment such as an adjustable chair does not add value unless properly adjusted.”

Reductions in pain and other symptoms were seen only in workers who had such symptoms at the start of the study–fully half of all workers. For employees who were initially symptom free, the ergonomic program did not reduce the rate of new symptoms.

To be effective in reducing pain and improving productivity, a proactive ergonomics program needs to include an individual work station assessment, the study suggests.

“Just providing new office furniture and written instructions is not sufficient to achieve proper accommodation,” Laestadius and co-authors concluded. “Good office equipment is a poor substitute for good working positions.”

 

Ergonomic Evolution is poised to offer anyone a low cost work station evaluations that when addressed properly can prevent long term pain and injuries thus lowering the overall cost of health care for the consumer. Ergonomics is one of the most relevant and proven ways to prevent injuries in the workplace and improve ones overall health.

Contact us today to find out how a work station evaluation can improve your health and your life.

AIHA Position Statement on Ergonomics

American Industrial Hygiene Association

Position Statement on Ergonomics

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) believes that ergonomics is a
multidisciplinary science whose primary focus is the anticipation, recognition, evaluation,
and control of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and their risk factors in the workplace.
This is accomplished through the application of principles based on the physical and
psychological capabilities of people to the design or modification of jobs, equipment,
products, and workplaces.

The goals of ergonomics are to:
• Decrease risk of musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses
• Decrease worker discomfort and to improve the quality of work life
• Improve worker performance
Proper application of ergonomic principles can achieve benefits that are significant and
immediate. The benefits of well-designed jobs, equipment, products, work methods and
workplaces include:
• Enhanced safety and health program performance
• Improved quality and productivity
• Reductions in errors
• Heightened employee morale
• Reduced compensation and operating costs
• Accommodation of diverse populations, including those with restrictions or
disabilities
This position statement will serve as the basis for AIHA’s action on behalf of industrial
hygienists and those whom we serve. A summary of AIHA’s major positions is as
follows:
1. A wide range of scientific data clearly demonstrates:
• Work-related MSD are a significant and costly health issue nationwide
• There are plausible biological mechanisms for the association between MSD and
workplace physical exposures
• Working conditions can and do contribute to the occurrence of MSD
• Validated analysis tools exist to effectively assess the risk of injury in the
workplace.
• Modifying physical task conditions can reduce the prevalence and severity of
MSD.
• Modifying psychosocial modifiers may help to reduce the prevalence and severity
of MSD.
2. AIHA considers that guidelines provide useful and effective guidance to those who
adopt them. However, AIHA supports the development of ergonomics-related
reporting, regulations and standards as a more effective long-term strategy.
Regulations and standards should be developed through an open process and focus on
the development of effective health and safety programs that reduce the risk of
musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses.
3. AIHA supports the continued private and governmental funding for research related
to ergonomics. The research agenda should focus on:
• The refinement and validation of models for the patho-physiology of specific
MSD
• The refinement of dose-response relationships between workplace exposures and
the risk of musculoskeletal disorders
• Continuing the improvement and validation of exposure assessment tools that
identify and measure exposures to physical, organizational, psychosocial, and
personal risk factors;
• Identification of best practices for the control of ergonomic risk in general and in
specific industries
• The clarification of case management practices for the treatment of MSD
Comments
1. Scientific Data on Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)-
There is a large base of epidemiologic and scientific literature concerning workrelated
MSD. Based on a review of this literature, AIHA concludes the following:
• Work-related MSD, particularly of the low back and upper extremities, are an
important national health problem, resulting in approximately 1 million people
losing time from work each year. These disorders impose a substantial economic
burden in compensation costs, lost wages, and productivity. Cost estimates vary,
but a reasonable figure is about $50 billion annually in work-related costs.
There is a clear relationship between workplace conditions and musculoskeletal
disorders. For the low back, this includes: physical loads as in manual material
handling, tasks that impose high load moments on the back, or involve frequent
bending and twisting, heavy physical work, and whole-body vibration.
For disorders of the upper extremities, this includes: high physical loads from
combinations of repetition, force, non-neutral (awkward) postures and hand-arm

vibration.
• The basic biology and biomechanics literatures show that there are plausible
mechanisms for the association between MSD and workplace physical exposures.
• There are a number of analysis tools available for determining the extent the risk
for an MSD in the workplace. There are numerous highly credible methods for
conducting exposure assessment. These tools have been developed, published in
the peer-reviewed literature and validated for determination of risk. Sources
include those from North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
• These tools can also contribute significantly to the identification of risk reduction
interventions. Modification of the various physical factors can substantially
reduce the risk of symptoms for low back and upper extremity disorders. Many of
these interventions are inexpensive, help improve productivity and can
significantly reduce the likelihood of further MSD. Additionally, modifying the
psychosocial factors may help to reduce the risk of these same symptoms.
2. Regulatory approach-
AIHA supports the development of ergonomics-related regulations and standards.
Guidelines are considered to be a good way of communicating good practices. Those
organizations that have adopted them have generally had good results in reducing the
number of MSD and their associated costs.
However, the number of organizations expected to use the guidelines is limited. Wellstructured
regulations and standards would have a greater impact and chance to
reduce the impact of work-related MSD. The development process should be
conducted in an open manner where all affected parties can provide input. The debate
should focus on the development of effective health and safety programs to reduce
the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Toward that end, AIHA recommends the
following approach:
• Those industries and organizations that have addressed MSD in their workplaces
should continue their efforts. Additional efforts should be focused in needed areas
to further minimize the risk of MSD injury or illness for employees.
• Those industries and organizations that have not addressed MSD in their
workplaces should expeditiously evaluate the extent of the musculoskeletal
disorder problems and implement a program or process to deal with the problems
found such that the risk of MSD injury or illness for employees is minimized.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration should develop a strong and
clear minimum standard for the recognition and abatement of hazards that result
in MSD or “ergonomics injuries or illnesses” based on the best available scientific
and medical knowledge. In the absence of a Federal standard, state OSHA
programs should be encouraged to adopt standards to address these hazards.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in conjunction with the
Bureau of Labor Statistics should continue to require employers to record MSD or
“ergonomics injuries or illnesses” on OSHA’s Form 300, Log of Work-Related
Injuries, and to tabulate the appropriate statistics. AIHA supports the inclusion of
a separate column for MSD on the OSHA 300 log as required in the originally
published record keeping standard that went into effect in January 2002.
• Voluntary consensus standards and guidelines should continue to be developed in
addition to federal or state standards. They would play an important role in
preventing work-related MSD and provide wider recognition of the issue
including workplaces not covered by federal and state OSHA.

3. Need for continuing research-
Although precise dose-response relationships are not available for all exposure
situations, there is a significant and growing body of knowledge related to the
relationship between the physical work environment and MSD. Knowledge related to
the roles of personal, organizational, and psychosocial factors is limited. They may be
moderating or predisposing factors that interact with the physical risk factors.
Increased risk may be reliably predicted under selected conditions, such as ‘extreme’
levels of physical exertion and posture. The tools used to assess exposure and predict
risk need additional development and validation. Research supporting the
development and validation of reliable, accurate, and predictive exposure assessment
tools needs to continue.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health should take the lead in
developing uniform definitions of MSD for use in clinical diagnosis, epidemiologic
research, and data collection for surveillance systems. These definitions should (1)
include clear and consistent endpoint measures, (2) agree with consensus codification
of clinically relevant classification systems, and (3) have a biological and clinical
basis.
A research agenda is needed that includes (1) improving tools for exposure
assessment, (2) improving measures of outcomes and case definitions for use in
epidemiologic and intervention studies, and (3) further quantification of the
relationship between exposures and outcomes. Also included are suggestions for
studies in each topic area: tissue mechanobiology, biomechanics, psychosocial
stressors, epidemiology, and the effectiveness of workplace interventions.

References

1. Research Council and the Institute of Medicine (1998), Work-Related
Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review of the Evidence, Steering Committee for the
Workshop on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries: The Research Base,
Committee on Human Factors, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and
Education. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

2. National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine (2001), Musculoskeletal
Disorders and the Workplace: Low Back and Upper Extremities. Panel on
Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace. Commission on Behavioral and Social
Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

3. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Musculoskeletal Disorders and
Workplace Factors: A Critical Review of Epidemiology Evidence for Work-Related
Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremities, and Low Back, DHHS
(NIOSH) Pub. No. 97B-41, Cincinnati, OH, 1997.

4. U.S. General Accounting Office, Report to Congressional Requestors, Worker
Protection: Private Sector Ergonomics Programs Yield Positive Results, Report No.
GAO/HEHS-97-163, August 1997.
Original Position Statement Adopted by AIHA Board of Directors in 1997

AIHA Comments and Position on OSHA Proposed Ergonomics Standard – 03-02-00
Amended AIHA Statement on Ergonomics – 03-05-01
Position Statement Updated and Approved by AIHA Board of Directors – September 14, 2003
Position Statement Updated and Approved by AIHA Board of Directors – October 4, 2009

Insurance benefits going away? Shrinking is more like it.

Beware of The Incredible Shrinking Insurance Benefit

By Ken Terry | Oct 26, 2009

The nation is starting to reconsider whether all of the services customarily covered by insurance really need to be included. Some plans, for example, now exclude services such as diabetes care, organ transplants and chemotherapy, which always used to be covered. The national reform legislation might include a lower level of benefits for “young invincibles” to encourage young people to buy health insurance.

Even some state benefit mandates are being reconsidered. The Georgia legislature, for instance, may soon have to decide whether to allow employers to offer policies to their workers that don’t include all state-mandated health benefits. State Rep. John Lunsford, the Republican lawmaker who is considering whether to introduce this measure, says that it would make health plans more affordable. Young people, he pointed out, might not need all of the coverage of older folks (that is, until they get sick).

Currently, Georgia requires all health plans sold in the state to include particular tests and procedures, including mammograms, pap smears, colorectal screening, ovarian cancer screening and prostate cancer screening.

Most states have numerous insurance mandates, and new ones are proposed every year. For example, 25 states have laws requiring that insurers that cover prescription drugs also cover FDA-approved contraceptives. Legislators in 41 states and Washington, D.C. have introduced legislation to require, fund or educate the public about the HPV vaccine, and 19 states have enacted this legislation. And 28 states require coverage of prostate cancer screening, despite disagreement among medical experts about whether this test does more harm than good.

Some of these laws were passed as consumer protection measures; many others have been proposed, and some enacted, to satisfy various interest groups such as podiatrists or chiropractors. There is little doubt that these mandates add to the cost of insurance and the underlying cost of health care: when something is covered by insurance, people are more likely to use it.

But I have some questions about the ad hoc nature of legislative decisions to add or subtract health benefits from insurance policies. Does it make sense for politicians who know nothing about medicine to decide whether or not insurance should cover a service on the basis of testimony by interested parties? Should they make such decisions based on the testimony of aggrieved patients or relatives of patients who did not receive coverage of the care that their doctors said they needed? And should different decisions on these matters be made in each state?

My own preference is that 1) decisions on the services to be covered be made by a national body of disinterested experts, shielded from interest groups; and 2) that we have a national standard benefit package. Such a package should cover all the care that medical experts believe is necessary. Anything more could be covered by insurance, if people were willing to pay more for it. But no insurance company should be allowed to offer a policy that covers less.

Ergonomic Evolution is poised to offer anyone a low cost work station evaluations that when addressed properly can prevent long term pain and injuries thus lowering the overall cost of health care for the consumer. Ergonomics is one of the most relevant and proven ways to prevent injuries in the workplace and improve ones overall health.

Contact us today to find out how a work station evaluation can improve your health and your life.

Ergo Expo draws big names in Ergonomics

Ergonomics Event Draws Top Names

A host of well-known ergonomics experts are heading to Las Vegas next month to help attendees prosper when the economy improves.

• By Jerry Laws
• Oct 02, 2009

The 15th Annual National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition will take place Nov. 17-20 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, with its focus directed at helping businesses survive the downturn and prosper as the economy improves. Five educational tracks are featured (Program Management, Office Ergonomics, Industrial Ergonomics & Material Handling, Healthcare & Lab Ergonomics, and Design for the Aging & Diverse Workforce).

Organizers say the event is the largest U.S. ergonomics event of the year and is the best opportunity to learn how ergonomics will:

• protect a scaled-back, aging workforce
• improve safety, efficiency, morale, and productivity
• reduce absenteeism and worker’s comp costs, and
• boost profitability.

“The speaker faculty knows that it’s all hands on deck at every workplace in the nation. Th ose coping with scaled-back workforces must ensure that their most valuable resource is able to work safely and at peak capacity. The faculty is prepared to share their secrets to ergonomics success for any budget, in any type of workplace,” said Walter Charnizon, president of Continental Exhibitions, Inc., the event’s owners/producers.

Keynotes and Educational Program

Keynote speakers are Frank Maguire, a founder and former senior vice president of FedEx (10:15-11:15 a.m. Nov. 18); (9:45-10:45 a.m. Nov. 19); Dr. Brent Pawlecki, corporate medical director for Pitney Bowes, who will discuss its ergonomics and wellness programs; and David Cochran, Ph.D., PE, CPE, professor in the Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who will deliver the 5th Annual State of the Industry Address (9:45- 10:45 a.m. Nov. 20).

This event features a who’s who of ergonomics leaders, several of whom have held leadership positions at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. The long list of speakers includes these names:

• Mark Benden, CPE, Ph.D., professor of Ergonomics at the Texas A&M Health Science Center
• David Brodie, MS, CPE, director of Ergonomics Services for Atlas Ergonomics, vice chairperson for the Ergonomics Branch of Industrial Hygiene Specialty Group, a practice specialty of the ASSE, and a BCPE director
• Peter Budnick, Ph.D., BS, MSE, CPE, president and CEO of Ergoweb, Inc.
• Jerome Congleton, Ph.D., PE, CPE, professor in the Safety & Engineering Program of Texas A&M University
• Woody Dwyer, MS, CPE, CIE, senior ergonomics specialist for Travelers and a member of its Human Factors and Ergonomics unit
• Arun Garg, CPE, Ph.D., professor, chair of the Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department, and director of the Center for Ergonomics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Camille Major, BSIE, MSIE, MBA, ergonomics specialist with Raytheon Company

Attendees who hold a certification with ABIH and BCSP will qualify for certification maintenance, and BCPE testing will take place Nov. 16 at Caesars Palace. Registering by Oct. 11 secures a savings of up to $250, according to Continental. The conference program and other information are available at www.ErgoExpo.com.

Workshops and Expo

Exhibitors will be demonstrating ergonomic seating, computer accessories, material handling equipment, lighting, software, consulting services, training, lifts, and office productivity solutions. The expo will be open from 11:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and also 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 (the latter session is a networking reception); 11:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and also 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 (the afternoon portion is another networking reception); and 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Nov. 20. Full-day and half-day workshops are scheduled for Nov. 17.

This article originally appeared in the October 2009 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.

Ergonomic Evolution will be attending the Ergo Expo and will be submitting updates on twitter. Follow me on Twitter for updates, ergonomic tips and information. Have a specific need or question?  Contact us today, we are happy to be of assistance.

Workmans Comp Insurance company needs fixing. State government to vote on Bills.

Voting on Pinnacol bills expected today Peter Marcus, DDN Staff Writer Friday, October 16, 2009

Lawmakers today are expected to vote on several bills aimed at solving “serious problems” with the state’s workers’ compensation insurer of last resort.

The Pinnacol Interim Committee has been investigating Pinnacol Assurance for the last several months despite cries from Republicans and the business community that the investigation into the quasi-governmental agency is nothing but a “witch hunt.”

The bills proposed would increase transparency and government oversight, say Democratic supporters.

Rep. Joe Miklosi, D-Denver, is pushing a bill that would create a so-called “workers’ bill of rights.” The measure would notify workers about their rights under Colorado law.

His legislation would also appoint a previously injured worker and a designee from the Department of Labor to Pinnacol’s board of directors.

“Injured workers should be active participants in the workers compensation process,” said Miklosi. “Informing workers of their rights helps the workers comp system work more effectively.”

Sen. Mary Hodge, D-Brighton, is proposing legislation that would require an annual online report based on an exit satisfaction survey taken with all injured workers.

Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, chair of the Pinnacol Interim Committee, is proposing legislation that would put an end to paying bonuses to deny claims or medical care. Lawmakers heard testimony of incentives to deny claims and medical treatment.

“These practices are unacceptable,” said Carroll. “They are so obviously wrong it is hard to believe legislation is necessary to stop this behavior, but it is. We cannot in good conscience allow this practice to continue.”

Rep. Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, is proposing legislation that would limit spying by Pinnacol on injured workers. Concerns were raised about the company spying on injured workers to validate claims.

Pace’s bill would only allow surveillance with reasonable cause.

“We should be taking care of our injured workers and giving them time to heal,” he said. “They should not be followed and spied on like criminals.”

Other proposed legislation aims at reducing workers’ compensation rates for small businesses; increasing transparency with more extensive reports; and doing a better job enforcing current workers’ compensation laws.

Pinnacol executives last month argued that no legislative changes are needed. The insurance company argued that the system is not broken, so it should be allowed to continue operating as it has — including tax-exempt status and offering employees membership to the state’s retirement system.

“There’s no need for any tinkering with the laws regarding Pinnacol’s assets, or its legal stature,” Ken Ross, Pinnacol chief executive, said at the time.

Ross and fellow Pinnacol executives remain insulted that lawmakers this year attempted to raid $500 million from its surplus to close the state’s $300 million budget shortfall. They have the support of the local business community, which encouraged the company not to introduce any legislative changes — such as offering to pay taxes in exchange for autonomy — but instead to push for business to continue as it has.

Pinnacol supporters point out that Colorado has the seventh lowest workers’ compensation premiums in the nation, and that Pinnacol has reduced its rates 42 percent in the past four years.

“It’s been clear that our business model puts a top priority on stable rates, injured worker care, workplace safety and operational efficiencies,” said Ross. “Pinnacol’s success and business model were validated multiple times in testimony heard by the interim committee during the first four meetings.”

Employers offering Wellness Programs and Incentives is on the Rise

Jonathan Edelheit

Oct 5, 2009

Worksite Wellness/Corporate Wellness programs are on the rise and more and more employers are implementing wellness programs and giving incentives to their employees to be healthier.  With healthcare costs rising, wellness programs seem to be one of the only ways to stem the increasing cost of health insurance premiums and curb the decline in Americans health and wellness across the nation.

A recent survey by Health2Resources that was in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers found that from 2008 to 2009 the cash incentive employers offered increased from $204 to $329, almost 61%.  Many employers are starting to utilize gift card companies, and incentives for health and wellness could become one of the fastest growing marketplaces for gift card companies.

The Most important result from the Health2 Resources survey is that today 73% of employers monitor the results of their corporate wellness programs versus 14% in 2007, and that an amazing 83% said they normally get higher than a 1:1 return on investment in their corporate wellness program.

A recent Pricewaterhouse cooper survey found an increase of 7% of employers who give incentives to employers to fill out HRA Health Risk Assessments, 57% in 2008, to 64% in 2009.   The Pricewaterhouse cooper survey found that when a gift card is offered to employees for taking a health risk assessment that offers $50 to $299 then 49% of employees participate compared to 42% for gift cards with $50 or less.  The majority of employers realize that they must provide significant incentives to have employees change their behavior and engage in a healthy lifestyle.  Without the proper incentives most employees will not engage in wellness programs voluntarily.

One of the most positive parts of  the Pricewaterhouse cooper survey is that it found that 67% of respondents taking the survey are looking at expanding and making their current corporate wellness programs more efficient.   There is no doubt that corporate wellness programs and incentive programs are on the rise and that more employers are seeing a significant return on their investment.  Employers are realizing it can be profitable to be involved in wellness!

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Good information for you.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain, tingling, and other problems in your hand because of pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.

The median nerve and several tendons run from your forearm to your hand through a small space in your wrist called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers (not your little finger).

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Pressure on the median nerve causes carpal tunnel syndrome. This pressure can come from swelling or anything that makes the carpal tunnel smaller. Things that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Illnesses such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
• Pregnancy.
• Obesity.
• Making the same hand movements over and over, especially if the wrist is bent down (your hands lower than your wrists), or making the same wrist movements over and over.
• Wrist injuries and bone spurs.
• Smoking, because it can reduce blood flow to the median nerve.

What are the symptoms?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in the fingers or hand. Some people may have pain in their arm between their hand and their elbow.

Symptoms most often occur in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. If you have problems with your other fingers but your little finger is fine, this may be a sign that you have carpal tunnel syndrome. A different nerve gives feeling to the little finger.

You may first notice symptoms at night. You may be able to get relief by shaking your hand.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your health and activities. You also may have some tests.

Your doctor will ask if you have any health problems—such as arthritis, hypothyroidism, or diabetes—or if you are pregnant. He or she will ask if you recently hurt your wrist, arm, or neck. Your doctor will want to know about your daily routine and any recent activities that could have hurt your wrist.

During the exam, your doctor will check the feeling, strength, and appearance of your neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands.

Your doctor may suggest tests, such as:

• Blood tests to see if any health problems might be causing your symptoms.
• Nerve testing to find out if the median nerve is working as it should.

How is it treated?

Mild symptoms usually can be treated with home care. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of stopping symptoms and preventing long-term damage to the nerve.

You can do a few things at home to help your hand and wrist feel better:

• Stop activities that cause numbness and pain. Rest your wrist longer between activities.
• Ice your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes 1 or 2 times an hour. Try taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
• Wear a wrist splint at night to keep your wrist in a neutral position. This takes pressure off your median nerve. Your wrist is in a neutral position when it is straight or only slightly bent. Holding a glass of water is an example of your wrist in a neutral position.

See your doctor if your symptoms do not get better after 1 to 2 weeks of home care, or if you have had bad symptoms from the start. You may need medicine for carpal tunnel syndrome or for a health problem that made you likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome.

Surgery is an option. But it’s usually used only when symptoms are so bad that you can’t work or do other things even after 3 to 12 months of other treatment.

During surgery, the doctor cuts the ligament at the top of the carpal tunnel. This makes more room in the tunnel and relieves pressure on the nerve. Surgery usually works to ease symptoms. But in some cases it does not completely get rid of numbness or pain.

Source – Yahoo Health.

If you have any questions about Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Ergonomic Evolution is your source for tips to treat and prevent this issue. Contact us today, we can help.

What are the symptoms? This website is a great resource for you. http://health.yahoo.com/nervous-symptoms/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-symptoms/healthwise–hw213335.html

Ergonomic Evolution promotes National Ergonomics Month

National Ergonomics Month

October is National Ergonomics Month!

Ergonomic Evolution is your source for everything ergonomic. To promote National Ergonomics Month,we are offering the following specials:

All Standard Workstation Evaluations are 50% off regular hourly rates! A standard workstation evaluation includes:

• An in-depth analysis of an employee at his or her workstation. This takes an average of one hour.
  
• A written report with observations and suggestions for changes or improvements.
• Topics addressed will include proper chair setup, proper keyboard tray placement and use, correct monitor positioning, healthy mousing techniques, micro breaks and stretching, lighting and environmental concerns, hydration importance, and other ergonomic training tips and practices as applicable.
  
• This service is our most popular and is ideal for documenting and tracking worksite improvements. It also allows employers to monitor the recommendations to ensure improvements are being followed, and to determine if a follow-up evaluation is necessary.
• A Standard Workstation Evaluation is $120/hour- mention this promotion for 50% off ($60/hour) if you book your appointment during the month of October!
  

10% off of all ergonomic equipment!

• Keyboard trays, chairs, monitor arms, ergo mouses, task lighting… anything you need to improve your space (ergonomically speaking) will be discounted by 10% during National Ergonomics Month.
• Freight, delivery and installation charges not included.

Contact us today to take advantage of these specials. Start your own evolution!