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There are many factors influencing comfort and performance and as a physiotherapist I would say that stress and pain are the most common and the most debilitating. Stress is now the biggest cause of absenteeism in the UK, overtaking musculoskeletal aches and pains like neck and back pain and repetitive strain injuries. But I think a lot of previous statistics claiming pain was the main reason were underestimating effects of stress. Pain and stress are always very closely linked to each other. Stress causes pain and pain causes stress.

One of the main reasons people suffer from simple aches and pains in the office is because they don't move enough. Exposing your body to the same stresses and strains and the same loads over long periods of time makes them sensitive. Not moving for long periods reduces blood flow in the tissues. Both can then lead to pain.

Commonly we see people who have this type of simple problem who end up having a scan which shows some unrelated pathology (studies have shown that most findings on an MRI scan in someone who has pain are also shown in people who don't have pain) and they then think there is something more serious wrong with them.

Most of these problems could be avoided simply by moving more and changing position regularly. I like the point made in the article that you can give someone all the new equipment but it doesn't necessarily mean they will use it properly. Commonly we will see people who have had a workstation assessment and have been given new equipment without being given the understanding of how to use it. Often someone comes round with a clipboard and makes a few changes without educating that person about what they can do themselves. The fact is that staying in the same static position for a long time will cause problems even if you are in the ideal posture. Movement is critical.

It has also been shown that performance is affected by concentration levels. Sounds reasonable. And that people who take regular breaks to change position and activity remain more productive for longer.

So by taking regular breaks and moving around more it doesn't cost time and slow you down. It is likely to make you perform better for longer as well as reduce the risk of pain and stress and therefore reduce the level of absenteeism caused by it.

Chris Pinches, Outpatient Physiotherapy Manager, St Johns Wood

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Too hot and not a window in sight: How comfortable are you in the office?

In response to http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/01/too-hot-and-not-a-window-in-sight-how-comfortable-are-you-in-the-office-3520303 highlighting the effect of poor lighting on comfort and therefore performance in the workplace.

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News

Central Health Physiotherapy Blog

View by date:

Too hot and not a window in sight: How comfortable are you in the office?

In response to http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/01/too-hot-and-not-a-window-in-sight-how-comfortable-are-you-in-the-office-3520303 highlighting the effect of poor lighting on comfort and therefore performance in the workplace.

What do you think? Join the debate on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/centralhealthphysiotherapy

return > maintain > build > your health and fitness

What do you think? Join the debate on our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/centralhealthphysiotherapy