I had heard the word "ergonomics" many times in the past and frankly I just wasn't interested. It's an ungainly kind of word in terms of aesthetics, and its meaning was slightly threatening.
To open the door to ergonomics was to take a look at my own role in my physical discomfort. To realize I was causing some of my own problems by slouching through my day.
I didn't like the word, didn't like its implications about my character, or what steps it dictated that I should be taking to remedy my flaws. It insinuated that I wasn't doing things right. That I needed to roust myself to make hard changes.
I'm not talking about hard life changes like leaving an unhealthy relationship, or moving to a new town or even deciding avoiding junk food.
I'm talking about trying to change lousy posture I've practiced all my life, like slouching, sitting curled up on a couch or sinking down into a chair that wasn't a good fit.
I'd have to start reminding myself in earnest to stand taller, sit straighter, and keep my feet on the floor while seated. And I know I'd have to remind myself all day long, because I would constantly be catching myself reverting to lifelong bad habits.
That was what ergonomics meant to me.
Tossing the loveseat that was too low, my couch that was too soft, my chair with arms that were too hard ... Proper ergonomics would be an expensive undertaking and one I had not the slightest inclination toward.
But I have discovered that ignoring ergonomics makes about as much sense as ignoring gravity.
I have had tendinitis and screaming pain in my hands and shoulders due to sitting at a computer in the wrong chair with the wrong desk set-up.
Spent money on chiropractors, acupuncture (both of which worked by the way but I kept going back to the same desk and chair and hurting myself again).
I have had messed-up knees, ankles and feet from sitting in a chair that was too low, with my feet turned sideways and knees bent funny.
I have a messed-up knee right now as a matter of fact. I am pretty sure I did it to myself and I can't tell you how annoying that knowledge is.
Ergonomics is so much on my mind these days.
I still don't like the word, or anything related to it. But stubborn resistance to change seems a poor choice over learning new ways that might lead to living pain-free.
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger