Posture is the standing or sitting position of the body. When working on a computer workstation, one must take adequate care of posture. Many computer workstation users end up with health problems such as stress and strain on the muscles, tendons and skeletal system and are also susceptible to developing musculoskeletal disorders. Even good posture, when held for a long time, can lead to problems like fatigue and discomfort.

Correct Workstation Posture

One should try to maintain a neutral body position while working at a computer workstation. Neutral body position is a comfortable body posture in which your joints are naturally aligned. In a neutral body posture, the hands, wrists and forearms should be straight, in-line and almost parallel to the floor. The wrists should rest flat on the keyboard and not on a hard or sharp surface. The head should be level or bent slightly forward. It should be forward facing and preferably in-line with the torso. Shoulders should be relaxed with the upper arms hanging along the side of the body.

In the neutral position, workstation users should also keep the elbows close to the body and bent between 90 and 120 degrees. The feet should be flat on the floor. In case the height of the desk is not adjustable, the feet should rest on a footrest. Proper lumbar support for the back is very important in neutral positioning. The thighs and hips should be supported by well-padded seats and should be placed parallel to the floor. Also to avoid frequent changes of focus, try to maintain the same distance between your eyes and the display screen.

It is necessary to keep in mind that even if you maintain the best workstation posture, working in the same posture or sitting still for longer periods of time can be harmful. Hence users must change their working position frequently throughout the day by adjusting the chair or backrest and stretching the hands, arms and torso. It is also advisable to stand up and move around for some time periodically.

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