Ergonomic Seating, Lifestyle Seating and Bedding.

What an exciting day out on site. Backcare & Seating Brighton have been busy setting up 4 floors with our super slick Selectric sit/stand desks. For more information on how a Sit / Stand desk could benefit your health contact us at: [email protected]

Many aches and pains can be relieved by changing your working posture or work patterns. Here are a few tips to make your workplace more comfortable.

We would like to thank all of the health professionals for joining us this week at our 'Introduction to Seating and office Ergonomics' Presentations.

Our Backcare & Seating OT"s were thrilled to have the opportunity to provide you with knowledge and awareness of the most recent developments in ergonomic philosophy, its application and benefits through products for clients or patients.

Sore neck and shoulders after a day’s work on the laptop?

The main problem with using a laptop for extended periods of time is the height of the screen and the fact the keyboard is so small. When you are using the laptop, you are required to look down at the screen. This can cause you to place undue strain on the muscles in your neck, if used for extended periods of time.

The convenience of using laptops is great however ensure that if you are using them for long periods of time that you have a rest break or do some ergonomic exercises.

If you travel with a laptop there are laptop solutions – such as portable laptop stands, that you can get a small keyboard and mouse to use with it.

Penclics’ Mini Keyboard creates a healthy working position while working in front of the computer. The compact size allows for a more relaxed and centered working position.

Not reaching for the computer accessories whilst working helps reduce RSI issues from occurring. It has an optimal 5 mm profile which decreases the strain on the wrists, while the mini keyboard is able to tilt slightly upwards to suit many different user needs. Penclic Mini Keyboard’s comfortable Quiet-Touch keys minimises noise and provides good tactile feeling while you are working. Only small keystrokes are needed and minimal pressure is required when typing, creating a relaxed and efficient time in front of the computer.

Standing for a portion of your day may be the simplest and most effective way for longevity.

Backcare & Seating has a great range of Sit / Stand that could suit you - visit us today.

The Ergotron WorkFit-T, Sit-Stand Desktop Workstation is now available In store!

Presenting an ultra easy standing desk solution, which quickly converts a tabletop into a healthy sit-stand workstation. Simply place the WorkFit-T on an open surface and you’re ready to work!

WorkFit-T saves space because it moves straight up and down, always staying within the footprint of your desktop. The platform is extremely stable throughout its range of motion—one can freely lean on it while working without worry of tip or height-drop. 

Office workers need to get on their feet

New research suggests that office workers need to stand and move more frequently as part of their working day to prevent serious illness and premature death.

Desk jockeys should make a point to stand up for at least two hours during the workday in order to avoid the negative health consequences linked to too much sitting, new research suggests.

Illness and premature death

Gradually break up periods of prolonged sitting until you're on your feet four hours a day, advises a panel of international experts. Aside from taking regular walks throughout the workday, desk-bound employees can opt for sit-stand desks or workstations that require them to stand.

Read: Too much sitting increases heart, diabetes risk

The recommendations are based on an analysis of research that links prolonged periods spent seated with a heightened risk of serious illness and premature death.

"The evidence is clearly emerging that a first 'behavioural' step could be simply to get people standing and moving more frequently as part of their working day," the study authors reported online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Increasing the amount of time that people stand could be a more achievable goal than encouraging more daily exercise, the researchers said in a journal news release.

The report was commissioned by Public Health England, which is an agency of the U.K. Department of Health, and another British organisation, Active Working Community Interest Company.

Among the panel's other recommendations for office workers:

Move around. Standing in one place for too long can also have harmful health effects. Changing your posture or position, or going on a brief walk can reduce the risk for musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

Employers can warn their staff about the health risks associated with prolonged sitting or being sedentary both in the office and at home.

Employers can invest in the health of their staff by designing working environments that encourage more activity.

The researchers acknowledged that the materials they reviewed don't prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between prolonged sitting and chronic illness.

Still, they believe on-the-job adjustments are in order. "While longer-term intervention studies are required, the level of consistent evidence accumulated to date, and the public health context of rising chronic diseases, suggest initial guidelines are justified," the panel wrote.

Chester University research says workers should use sit-stand desks for two, eventually fours hours daily

OFFICE workers should use sit-stand desks to ensure they are on their feet for a minimum of two hours a day during working hours, according to new recommendations.

This daily quota should eventually be bumped up to four hours a day, breaking up prolonged periods of sitting with standing-based work and regular walkabouts, the guidelines say.

The research, by the University of Chester and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, was commissioned by Public Health England as a growing body of evidence links prolonged periods of physical inactivity with a heightened risk of serious illness and premature death.

The authors point out that in the UK sedentary behaviour now accounts for 60 per cent of people’s waking hours.

“For those working in offices, 65 per cent-75 per cent of their working hours are spent sitting, of which more than 50 per cent is accumulated in prolonged periods of sustained sitting,” they write. “The evidence is clearly emerging that a first ‘behavioural’ step could be simply to get people standing and moving more frequently as part of their working day,” they say, adding that this is likely to be more achievable than targeted exercise.

They said that as well as encouraging staff to embrace other healthy behaviours, such as cutting down on drinking and smoking, eating a nutritious diet, and alleviating stress, employers should also warn staff about the potential dangers of too much time spent sitting down at work or at home.

“While longer term intervention studies are required, the level of consistent evidence accumulated to date, and the public health context of rising chronic diseases, suggest initial guidelines are justified,” they added.

PICTURE:  A healthy work choice ... Stacey Seeto, an employee at Flight Centre in Brisbane CBD stands at her desk. Picture: Mark Cranitch. Source: News Corp Australia

Is it possible to be incredibly fit yet still be at high risk of premature death and disability due to inactivity?