Employees are now spending more and more hours in their offices and behind computers. This has resulted in an increasing number of employees suffering from joint and muscle pains. Occupational therapist Mia Vermaak held a presentation for staff members on the subject of how they can make small adjustments in order to make their offices work for them.

Ergonomics, which studies the relationship between one’s work and the environment, aims to make the carrying out of tasks safer. Mia sought to improve staff’s sensory intelligence and informed them on the basic ergonomic changes they could include to their working rituals.

“Sitting behind the computer is an unnatural position,” as Mia explained, and along with all the administrative tasks we perform, it lends to the long-term damage and stress of muscles. Just as most people think ergonomics is only about posture, the crux of the study reveals that it is indeed more than posture, while posture is more than just sitting upright.

“It begins in the hand,” Mia stated. By this, she revealed how the simple task of operating a mouse in the office affected muscles. Moreover, staff members were informed on how stress can be reduced on senses, or through one’s senses, while in the office. It is small adjustments employees need to make in order to have their office work for them.

- Hatsu Mphatsoe