Lower back and neck pain are extremely common injuries we see as physical therapists. In fact, upwards of 85% of individuals will experience lower back pain or neck pain at some point in their life. What can we do about it?
As workplaces and work becomes more remote and employees are now working at home, ergonomics have never been more important. At CMPT, your physical therapist will evaluate your surroundings and equipment, making the necessary recommendations to reduce stress and strain on your body. Remember: a 30 second hip flexor stretch or even an hour-long massage will never offset 8 hours in front of a computer with bad posture.
Who would benefit from an Ergonomic Assessment?
There are 2 scenarios in which you should receive an ergonomic assessment:
#1: You sit at a desk and experience an increase in neck or lower back pain as the day progresses.
#2: You are not experiencing pain, but your job/life requires you to be at a desk, computer, on a phone for a significant portion of the day.
How and where does an Ergonomic Assessment take place?
CMPT offers several options to complete an ergonomic assessment. Your therapist may ask for a series of pictures, at varying angles, of you sitting at your workstation. Your therapist will review these pictures and make recommendations on positioning and additional ergonomic equipment that has been found to be helpful.
Another option would be for a CMPT therapist to travel to your home and perform an in-person assessment.
How is a CMPT Ergonomic Assessment different from others?
CMPT has never been a “cookie-cutter” or “one size fits all” treatment clinic. We understand that everyone looks and moves differently. In order to create an optimal work environment, we need to evaluate both the workstation and the person. As part of the ergonomic assessment, a CMPT therapist will also perform a movement assessment on the individual who will be using the workstation.
How much does an Ergonomic Assessment of my workstation cost?
Ergonomic assessments can be performed during one of your physical therapy visits, and insurance will cover this service.
If you are not a current patient, but would like an ergonomic assessment, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at 508-852-3700.
