Virtual Ergonomic Consultations

Is a virtual ergonomic consultation right for you?

You’ve probably heard of the word “ergonomics” or maybe even have received some advice from your friends and families about ergonomic equipment that you simply “must have.”

You wonder about your workspace and think you MIGHT benefit from ergonomics, but you’re still unclear who to contact or what to ask for. You may not even be sure what ergonomics is. You might have had an ergonomic consultation already through your workplace where someone came in, gave you some equipment, and then left.

But you still feel that you might need something more or something different.

You’ve researched ergonomic equipment that is available (thank you, Amazon). You’d think a few Internet searches would satisfy your curiosity, but it left you feeling more confused than ever. Now, you’re unsure what you need or what is suitable for you.

You CAN only be sure about worsening pain in your neck, shoulders, or upper extremities.

It started nagging you but now feels like it’s screaming. It affects how you hold your pen, put on your shirt, type on the computer, and lift grocery bags.

And it’s especially affecting the way you work.

You can no longer complete your workday without pain and can’t keep telling your coworkers because you’ll get a reputation as a complainer. You’ve become afraid to lift this or hold that because you dread the onset of pain that keeps you up at night.

You’ve stopped wearing your favorite outfits because they’re too hard to put on with your current arm pain.

You’ve stopped going out and having fun because that bowling ball is too heavy to lift with your hand pain.

You’ve stopped your crafting hobby because squeezing the tools hurts too much.

You’ve just stopped… being you.

Simply put, ergonomics is the science of making your workspace better for YOU.

At CHRG Therapy, I can answer your nagging questions, identify whether your workspace aggravates your pains, and guide you on exactly what you need to do about it if this is the case.

When we can control your workspace and symptoms, your pains will decrease so that you can also engage in other life activities.

And we can talk about those as well.

No matter where you work…

Whether at home, a hair salon, a shop, or a factory, I can evaluate your workspace to see whether there are any ergonomic risk factors.

Ergonomic risk factors such as awkward postures, force, repetition, poor lighting, or vibration can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which can become debilitating injuries.

The old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Research has shown that the best course of action is to prevent these conditions from occurring in the first place. These conditions often start as pain that happens one day and then gradually worsens.

Don’t wait to seek treatment before it’s too late. We can prevent you from developing major injuries by making a few simple changes NOW.

I’ll use an ergonomic evaluation checklist that addresses postural risk zones, like your back, neck, hands/wrists, and legs/feet. I will observe the posture of your joints, the position of your body, the way you use/hold objects, and environmental factors such as the height of your work table and the lighting in your room.

I will also be able to look at any ergonomic equipment you may already have and evaluate if it is set up properly for YOU and being used correctly. I can’t tell you how many times I have had people tell me that their employer gave them ergonomic equipment… but they don’t know how to use it and aren’t sure if it’s working. Sound familiar?

By looking at all these factors, I will gain a holistic understanding of exactly what factors might be causing you pain, impeding your function, or setting you up for injury soon.

Here’s what it looks like…

When you contact me, I will send you information on how to connect with me through a video platform. You only need an Internet connection and a phone or computer with a camera.

First, we’ll have a conversation. Sometimes, we all have habits and ideas about things and cannot objectively see a solution.

I will then ask you to set up the camera at different angles so I can look at your space from different angles. This is usually best when people use their phone cameras, but I am flexible.

I also observe you working so I can see what you’re doing in real-time. I will be with you from your computer screen or phone, observing you as you spend a few minutes working. Through this observation, I can look at your body positions, work setup, and even some of your daily habits. This is what I would not be able to do through pictures or in a clinic which is why the video platform is a wonderful thing for me to assess YOU thoroughly.

Once the evaluation is complete, I will send you recommendations to correct your workspace based on what I observed and what you reported.

We’ll then schedule a follow-up visit to ensure the changes are working. Sometimes, it can take several weeks to see improvement after making changes, but it is worth it for your long-term health and productivity, and I am here for you during the process.

I once worked with someone…

… who had headaches and neck pain that gradually worsened throughout her workday. She worked on a computer, and the pain became so bad that she could not meet her deadlines and remain productive.

She felt comfortable at her workspace but thought her headaches were simply a function of looking at a screen for 8+ hours per day… and that her neck pain was simply stress.

After evaluating her workspace, it turns out that the bright office light behind her caused a lot of glare on her screen. To compensate, she slouched forward and squinted all day to read her screen. The computer screen was also too low, causing her to strain her neck as she bent down to view it.

I recommended that she move her desk so that the light was to her side rather than behind, purchase an anti-glare screen, and change the height of her computer screen so that she is not looking down.

After a follow-up appointment two weeks later, she reported no more headaches and a significant improvement in neck pain after following my recommendations.

Learn if your space is set up to prevent avoidable pain and injuries.

Identifying whether your work setup is a cause of your symptoms can be the key to less pain and potential injuries.

Don’t delay until it’s too late!

Contact me today for a free 15-minute screening call to determine if this is the right fit for you: info@chrgtherapy.com.

The consultation is your time to ask all the questions about your pain or workspace. I am patient and a good listener, and I value your opinions since this process is about YOU.