A younger generation of workers are suffering from work related injuries, and it isn’t your granddad’s brand of back pain. According to the Deccan Chronicle, people aged 20 to 30 are experiencing work related pains and injuries, which largely stem from poor office ergonomics. Some of these include things like wrist, hand, and finger strain, back pain, and shooting pain in the limbs and back. What accounts for the shift of pains from previous generations’ work pains to the most recent? It’s likely from the nature of the work they do — sitting for long periods of time hunched over computer screens and devices and performing repetitive tasks like typing.
Back pain is another major ailment that the younger working crowd are beginning to suffer from, but they are not the only ones. The American Chiropractic Association estimates that about 31 million Americans are experiencing lower back pain at any given time. There are some things that all workers can do to prevent injuries like strains, pains, and carpal tunnel syndrome. To combat these, taking frequent breaks, maintaining good posture while sitting, and stretching and walking are all effective. One of the easiest and most important things to do is to improve office ergonomics.
Some say that “sitting is the new smoking.” According to EHS Today, a new sutdy published by the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reports that two hours of sedentary behavior like sitting, driving, and watching television can be just as harmful as 20 minutes of exercise is good.
Office ergonomics can be improved with the right furniture. One way to avoid sitting all day at work is to, well, stand. Standing desks are not generally visually pleasing, but according to The Wall Street Journal, a new German standing desk has mastered both standing desk functionality and aesthetics. The Crescendo C2 Maximus M22 is made from a beautiful sustainable wood, and is adjustable and adaptable to a user’s needs and work habits.