Injury in the Office

Big and tall office workers have to worry about repetitive motion injuries even more than average size people do. This is because their bodies are more susceptible to the injuries common in the workplace even without the added stress of repetitive motion. This makes it even more important for big and tall people to have office equipment that is going to keep them safe and healthy.

Repetitive motion injuries are actually the most common injury that can happen. These two injuries will often show up as either tendinitis or bursitis. So what is the difference in these two injuries?
• Tendinitis – A tendon is where the muscle attaches to the bone. When this becomes inflamed it is called tendinitis. Often this can occur without injury, seemingly out of nowhere. But often tendinitis can be cause by repetitive motion injury.
• Bursitis – Bursae are small sacs of fluid that help keep the tendons protected. When one of these areas gets inflamed it is called bursitis. The type of bursitis that is caused from repetitive motion injuries is referred to as traumatic bursitis.
What is common with both of these injuries is how they get worse over time with repeated use. The more the area is used the worse the pain and discomfort will be. When these injuries are caused by repetitive motion it is important that the specific motions that cause the problem are stopped. When this is not possible then ergonomics come into play by making sure correct posture and form are used.

What is important to note is these injuries can be avoided. Getting big and tall office chairs that were created specifically for this type of worker is going to go a long way in avoiding carpal tunnel, tendinitis, and bursitis. A chair needs to meet a certain amount of specifications to match the individual’s body. Certain body parts need to stay in alignment in order to prevent these injuries from happening.

By working with someone trained in ergonomics or a Human Resources representative at your office you should be able to get an assessment of how you are sitting to make sure you are using the right posture. When you get measured and know the proper way to sit getting a big and tall office chair is the next step. Between these two things it is easy to avoid repetitive motion injuries and stay comfortable at work.