Osteopathy and Ergonomics

Osteopathic Medicine:
Removal of mechanical impediments allowing optimal body fluid flow, nerve function, and restoration of health.

Osteopaths are qualified to diagnose any medical or musculoskeletal problem within the body. A consultation involves case history and physical examination, including orthopaedic or clinical tests, where necessary. Issues are often a combination of a recent injury/trigger on top of a series of ‘insults’ such as repetitive strains, trauma - emotional or physical, work-related strains, childbirth-related issues, road traffic accidents, surgery, dental.

Osteopaths use manual techniques to unfold these compensations, revealing the restriction that is holding the pattern. This enables recovery and restoration of health.

Ergonomics:
• Work-related injury prevention

• Work station assessment
• Return to work
• Prevention of reoccurrence

Lift and extend the body to become more confident, comfortable and healthy in the office:

There is a legal requirement to employers to undertake workstation assessments for computer users and to provide them with information about the risks of prolonged computer use. These can include online self assessments and in-house training.

Principals of good posture and sitting:

The key to good posture is the position and state of your spine. Your spine has four natural curves - at your neck, mid back, low back and sacrum. Correct posture should maintain these curves, but not either exaggerate or decrease them.

Your head should be ‘stacked’ on your neck and shoulders, with no forward head carriage, and your shoulders should be ‘stacked’ over the hips.

Sit on the sitting bones (ischial tuberosities) and try to ‘lift out’ of the pelvis. The abdominal muscles should be doing the work to hold you up, with gentle integrity, compared to slouching which compresses the lumbar spine/low back and shortens important postural muscles.

Feet are flat on the floor, supporting your upper body. This is a relaxed, alert and responsive posture and maintains good circulation.

Any mouse use should be with a relaxed grip and with the whole area and shoulder; the upper arm hanging close to the side; the elbow bent at 90 degrees. Don’t use a wrist rest. Take frequent breaks (at least every 30-45 mins.) Drink water throughout the day, approx. 2l.

Adjust your eyes with/focus on the horizon periodically, to relax the ‘short distance muscles’ of the eye.

Stress-reducers:

Houseplants, eg succulents such as aloe vera, broad lady palm, chinese evergreen, kentia palm, rubber plants, bamboo palm, peace lily; all air-purifying.
Aroma humidifier with pure essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus or peppermint to freshen, frankincense for focus, lavender or bergamot to calm: https://www.doterra.com/SG/en_SG/blog/healthy-living-a-day-in-the-office
Fresh air; the windows slightly open top and bottom for circulating air
Diet: Have fresh, organic, seasonal fruit/veg to hand such as a Riverford Organic weekly delivery: www.riverford.co.uk/refer/Ym- TS4hgNubQLCw6gKX_rQ - £15 credit here :)
Sit with a ‘radiant heart’ and gentle integrity in the abdominal muscles
Exercise that combines balance and strength
Quit smoking/other intoxicants
Remove items from back pocket, eg mobile, for even sitting and reduced EMF exposure

Anapana meditation to increase concentration of mind: 15 min. intro., 10 min. practice: https://www.dhamma.org/en/about/ mini_anapana.
Vipassana meditation courses: www.uk.dhamma.org

Osteopaths see a variety of patients complaining of many problems, including but not limited to:

low back and neck pain;
repetitive work-related injuries or strain;
effects of trauma such as whiplash;
asthma and other breathing problems;
colic and irritable bowel syndrome;
postoperative pain and adhesion problems;
back, joint and soft tissue pain during pregnancy;
postpartum pelvic problems, including pelvic floor injuries;
headaches and TMJ (jaw) pain;
ENT (ear nose throat) problems;
Developmental, feeding, sleeping and other problems in babies and children.

Katy has been in private practice since 2008 after a four year full-time honours degree in Osteopathy and 2 year postgrad. in Paediatric Osteopathy, the treatment of babies, children, adolescents, pregnancy prep., pregnant women and new mothers.

Please feel free to write/call with any questions or simply book a consultation online at: www.katyteasdale.com Seaforth House, Bath Road, Lymington SO41 3YL.

Listen to your body

Katy Teasdale
Registered Osteopath
PHYSICAL MEDICINE
BSc (Hons) PsySc., BSc (Hons) Ost., DO, DPO

www.katyteasdale.com

A radiographic-style image comparing two skeletons sitting at a desk facing each other/their screens; one with poor, flexed posture and the other with ideal, straight neck and back posture

Four cartoon images of a man at a desk inn ideal and three other various poor postures

A cartoon image of a man and woman at their desks facing each other sitting in an ideal ergonomic posture annotate below with description of this

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Osteopathy and Ergonomics