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September 7, 2007

Figuring Out An Ergonomic Way

I have a client who works at an assembly plant and does repetitive tasks for about two hours before changing to another work station. They were assigned a new job that required that they reach across the assembly line in a non-ergonomic fashion that resulted in back pain.

My first course of action was to determine where the client hurt. From just below the scapulae down to the low back and gluteal region the muscles were in a contracted state. Second I wanted the client to demonstrate the task, indicate the height of their workstation and show me how far they had to reach to accomplish their assignment.

Then came time to evaluate their movements and make suggestions for how they could change how they use themselves and preserve their body. Reaching across the assembly line proved to be the most detrimental action so I tried to explain how to change that action. The client bent at the hips and reached for me like I suggested but was still putting undue strain on their back. I demonstrated what I meant and had them imitate me. I was surprised to see them imitate me incorrectly! I had to figure out how to communicate what I meant for them to do. I thought about this client and their history of exercise using Pilates DVDs and had an "Aha" moment. I suggested they perform the action as though they were getting ready to do a squat which would transfer the stress of the action to their legs and away from their back. The client got it then and performed the movement perfectly.

After that I performed the massage with the confidence that the muscles I was working would not go back into an unhealthy state as soon as they returned to work.

tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health ergonomic massage

Posted by linda at September 7, 2007 7:08 AM