Laptops - Muscle Tension & Back Pain

Ergonomics is Important Even When Using a Laptop Computer

May 6, 2009 Cheryl La Rocque

Laptop computers are so portable and flexible, but you need to work in an ergonomically correct position.

Have you ever noticed an increase in neck and back muscle tension and/or pain while using your laptop on a daily basis? If you do, this is likely due to the incorrect positioning of your work station - your laptop on your lap, and poor posture while sitting.

It all comes back to good posture. Sit up straight, put your shoulders back and lift up your head and keep your eyes focused directly in front of you.

For years, parents, teachers, and health practitioners have been advocating good posture, but there is an increased concern that people, especially students, are spending more and more time working on computers and laptops increasing their risk to develop repetitive-stress injuries.

Ergonomics Streamlines Work Productivity and Reduces Muscle Tension, Strain, and Pain

It is important to use your laptop computer in an ergonomically correct work position to reduce and/or eliminate muscle tension, repetitive strain injuries, weakness and pain.

Ergonomics is a fancy term which means "the study of the relationship between people and their working environment." Simply put, ergonomics intended use is to increase your work productivity, prevent work place injury, and ensure the overall safety and health of people in the workplace. Its principles can be applied to everything you do, including shoveling snow and working on laptop computers.

Adjusting your work station and applying the principles of ergonomics for your laptop computer use means finding a permanent office solution. However, when you are not in your office and working on your laptop, you will need to remember to apply the principles of ergonomics in your temporary working environments. Or, limit working on your laptop to avoid neck and back muscle tension.

Poor Posture When Working Causes Back & Neck Pain

Back and neck pain is a leading cause of disability and lost workdays, so working comfortably and safely is important. This means applying the principles of ergonomics, which means you should consider your needs -- knowing what will allow you to work in a safe and healthy way by eliminating work place injury, and to increase your work productivity. Remember, if you are working on your lap there is likelihood you may find yourself slouching more often.

Tips to remember:

When working at your desk adjust the height of your chair.
You may need a foot rest.
If you use a table make sure it is at the appropriate height for your physical requirements to sit at and work comfortably.
Good posture is important. To maintain correct sitting posture means sitting comfortably in a chair.
Some people may need a chair with arm rests so they can rest their elbows.
The armrests assist in decreasing shoulder, neck, and upper back strain.
Have both feet planted on the floor.

Assess Your Work Space

Consider reassessing your office space to see if you will need to redesign your work station to meet your needs for efficient and effective work productivity as well as to decrease and/or avoid back and neck muscle tension/pain.

For more information and a visual aid in determining and designing your work station consider Health Canada's web page - Environmental and Workplace Health

Working in a safe and comfortable environment is important to reduce the risk of injury and maintain health.

For more information on computer ergonomics consult your country's department of labor and/or occupational safety and health administration. Or you can use -- BUBL LINK Catalogue of Internet Resources Occupational health and safety web link for assistance.

The copyright of the article Laptops - Muscle Tension & Back Pain in General Medicine is owned by Cheryl La Rocque. Permission to republish Laptops - Muscle Tension & Back Pain in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.