ERGONOMICS ASSESSMENTS

There are several steps to performing an ergonomics evaluation. Depending on whether this assessment is a part of a larger physical therapy treatment plan for a current injury or is being requested by an employer, some or all of these steps may be performed.

1-The therapist may evaluate the larger workplace in terms of frequency and type of workplace injuries as this can help guide their assessment.

2-The therapist will select from a variety of well-respected outcome measures and ergonomics assessment tools available to them that can help them gather objective data about the workspace and its effects on the worker. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and other reputable organizations provide many of these objective measures for free online. Some examples of these tools are:

• The NIOSH Lifting Equation
• The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
• The Liberty Mutual Manual Material Handling Tables (Snook Tables)
• The Hand Arm Vibration Calculator (HAV)

3-The therapist will interview you about your experience in the workplace as it relates to physical comfort and risk. Here are some questions they might ask you to glean more information:

• Are there any times throughout your day where you are sustaining a posture for more than a short time? (Example: sitting at a desk for 4 hours at a time)
• Do you use any hand tools or equipment for your job? How much time do you spend using each one?
• Are you required to lift items throughout your day? If so, how often, from what height and how much do these items weigh?
• Does your job require any repetitive motions? (Example: working on a production line performing a singular task repetitively)
• Do you ever feel unsafe or experience any aches or pains throughout your workday? (Example, wrist pain after working with specific tools)
• Is there anything you would change about your workspace, the tools you use or how you perform your job that you feel would make you more comfortable?

4-After gathering all of this data the therapist will perform an objective assessment. This might include an onsite visit to actually view your workspace or watch you work to look for areas that could use modification. This might also include a physical assessment such as evaluating your posture, your range of motion and flexibility, your strength and balance to determine how these factors may interact with your work environment to increase or lessen injury risk

5-Finally, your physical therapist can make recommendations based on all of this data. If you are experiencing pain or injury your PT may recommend a course of physical therapy to address the injured or irritated tissues so that you can return safely to work. They can also make recommendations to you and your workplace about how to modify your workspace, your technique and other factors to decrease the risk of future musculoskeletal injury. This can include recommendations for equipment like a different keyboard, a standing desk, a lifting belt and so forth.

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your ergonomic related issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized ergonomic physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

FINDING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST EXPERIENCED IN ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics is a subspecialty that many physical therapists are drawn toward because of their excellent observational, clinical reasoning and problem solving skills. Physical therapists do not have to have any special certification to offer ergonomics evaluations and recommendations but many times they will choose to do so after having some experience in the field. Your ergonomic specialist may have a variety of certifications or may even choose to become a Board Certified Professional in Ergonomics (BCPE). If you are interested in an ergonomics evaluation call our office today to find out more about this service at our clinic locations.