1. Work
Ontario Chiropractic Association 

2. Office Ergonomics Today we will:
Identify the risks for poor spine health at work
Provide prevention of office related injury
Suggestions how to improve poor ergonomics

3. Your back supports your upper body while protecting
your spine and allowing for flexibility.
Four natural: neck, middle back, lower
back and tailbone
Your spine contains 24 vertebrae
separated by discs to absorb shock,
fluid inside the discs allows movement
Too much of the wrong movement
can cause wear and tear
Jill A. Hayden, Maurits W. van Tulder, Antti V. Malmivaara, and Bart W. Koes Annals 2005
142: (in ) Meta-Analysis: Exercise Therapy for Nonspecific Low Back Pain
SURVEY OF CANADIAN ADULTS:BACK PAINPrepared for: The Canadian Chiropractic Association
Prepared by: Environics Research Group Limited May 2003

4. Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common causes of lost time at work:
Low back pain affects 85% of working
population
Over 50% of sufferers find back pain
affects their quality of life and limits
recreational activities
Jill A. Hayden, Maurits W. van Tulder, Antti V. Malmivaara, and Bart W. Koes Annals 2005
142: (in ) Meta-Analysis: Exercise Therapy for Nonspecific Low Back Pain
SURVEY OF CANADIAN ADULTS:BACK PAINPrepared for: The Canadian Chiropractic Association
Prepared by: Environics Research Group Limited May 2003

5. What is Ergonomics?
Using scientific information and techniques to position
your body relative to your surroundings to minimize
Physical Stress.
For example, positioning your desk
chair at the appropriate height.

6. Identifying the Risks Common causes of back strain at work:
Lifting heavy/awkward loads
Long periods of standing
Long periods of sitting
Poor posture
Poorly designed work stations
Poorly fitted chair
Computer screens sitting at wrong height or angle

7. Preventative Tips If your job means you’re sitting all day:
Never cradle the phone between your neck and shoulder
Avoid sitting with your legs crossed at the knees
Try to arrange your desk so items are within arms reach
Centre your computer monitor so the first line of text is eye level
People affected include:
Office workers
Teachers

8. Preventative Tips Think Outside the Box Get a good chair Sit right
Home offices can also be changed to help your spine:
Get a good chair
Sit right
Check your computer set-up
Reduce eyestrain
Stretch

9. Tips for Posture and Sitting
Do:
Sit close to your work
Sit on a chair and place feet on floor
Support your back in an arched position
Avoid repetitive bending, twisting and reaching
Use arm rests to reduce stress to the upper body and neck

10. Tips for Posture and Sitting
Don’t:
“Slump-sit” – lower back should be supported
Lean forward/downward to reach work
Sit for long periods of time- GET UP
Sit on the floor
Cradle the phone in the crook of your neck

11. Chiropractic Care Chiropractors use manual therapies to treat neuro-
musculoskeletal disorders, including:
Acute and chronic injuries and conditions
Back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, chronic pain, osteoarthritis and many more
Chiropractors also assist their patients with: nutrition, exercise programs, lifestyle and work habits

12. Chiropractic Care Chiropractic is a regulated health profession
More than 6,500 chiropractors in Canada
Each year more than 4 million Canadians visit a chiropractor
Chiropractors are primary health care professionals.
4. Miller W. Use of Alternative Health Care Practitioners by Canadians. Canadian Journal of Public Health 1997;
5. Government of Canada’s Chiropractic Act, 1991

13. Chiropractic Care Chiropractors consistently receive among the highest
patient satisfaction ratings because patients report:
Chiropractors listen
Chiropractors understand
their condition
Treatment was effective

14. Ontario Chiropractic Association
More Information
For further information, please contact my clinic or:
Ontario Chiropractic Association
Victoria St., Toronto, ON., M5C 2N8
Web:
Phone: 