Ergonomy at work

This situation will sometimes surprisingly quickly lead to problems from various parts of the body, with wrist pain, neck pain and lower back pain being the most common. Muscle aches, tennis elbow and shoulder pain are other common problems, closely followed by neck stiffness and general poor posture - including the familiar "vulture neck". 

The muscles and joints of the hands are not spared either; hand-intensive work affects a host of small muscles, joints, tendons and nerves, which can cause pain locally in the hands and fingers, but also pain that spreads to the wrist, elbow, shoulder or neck. Problems can sometimes manifest as numbness, tingling or weakness.

Overworking the body without moving

Sitting in front of a computer all day is not often considered physically demanding. "Strenuous physical work" is usually associated with heavy lifting, back-breaking movements and muscular effort. But many people who are seen as barely lifting a finger during working hours have nevertheless become painfully aware of entirely new and unfamiliar structures, from the hips up to the base of the skull.

Sedentary work often involves an imperceptible, low-intensity war against gravity: muscles struggle incessantly to hold up the weight of various body parts, in a fixed, static position. The muscles never relax, nor do they really stretch. Eventually, it starts to hurt.

Is gravity your worst enemy?

Muscles, tendons and joints can be pushed to perform far beyond their capacity just by resisting gravity. It's enough to hold a body part in a static position that requires continuous muscle tension - even without it simultaneously requiring strength, power or even movement. A tense muscle becomes short, stiff and has a reduced blood supply. It is the opposite of the kind of work the body is designed for.

Moreover, the strain increases significantly if the body is incorrectly loaded. Holding up a head hanging forward over the spine - for example, bent over a screen - requires much more of all the muscles, joints and tendons involved. The same conditions apply to the rest of the body.

Correct posture and good blood circulation help

In short, the skeleton is designed to be loaded in a way that doesn't wear down the tissues that hold it together; in a balanced and even way with well distributed weight. Muscles are designed for dynamic work, movement and variation; this increases blood circulation and makes the muscles stronger. Anything that deviates too much from these ideal conditions requires compensations and adaptations, which are harmful in the long run and often end up causing stiffness and pain.

The small, minute movements in front of a keyboard can cause a straight line of pain running from the working fingers up to the head, via the wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders and neck.

Some pain conditions are caused by the wrist being held in an unfavourable position, slightly raised over the computer mouse with the arm being repeatedly moved back and forth. This strain can develop into inflammation of the muscles or pinched nerves.

Discover braces and supports with therapeutic effect

Back on Track offers a variety of joint and muscle supporting products that can be helpful in both preventing and alleviating problems arising from monotonous movements and sedentary work.

All supports, braces and protections are lined with our unique textile technology, Welltex®, which can increase circulation, soften tense muscles and aid in recovery by reflecting body heat in the form of far infrared energy (FIR).

Our wrist braces in firm, elastic materials provide light support and may also help reduce stiffness and inflammation in muscles and joints. The Carpus I Wrist Support with Splint, stabilises the wrist with the extra reinforcement of wide splints on either side of the hand. Carpus II Wrist Support with Splint and Cushion also includes a soft gel cushion for the palm.

For those who sit down a lot, pain in the lumbar region can easily become a problem. In this case, one of our back braces with a removable cushion can provide extra support to the muscles in the lower back area.

We also offer, in collaboration with Swedish Posture, a firm Posture Vest to help you maintain a correct working position and a good posture, as well as a Sports Top that improves your posture by reminding you to keep your shoulders back.

Our popular tape with Welltex® can both improve posture and help relieve problems with stiff muscles. Similarly, our neck braces and neck protections can help balance the head and/or keep muscles and tendons soft, flexible and warm - thanks to their energy-reflecting mineral content.