While the design of our electronic devices has progressed over time to be more user friendly, many of us are still spending long stretches of our days working at a desk with a computer. Setting the work station up properly and maintaining good posture while we’re at it can go a long way toward eliminating the musculoskeletal aches and pains that can come from such work. here are some tips to bear in mind:

Make sure your feet are resting on the floor six to eight inches in front of your knees. Adjust your chair so that there is support for your lower back and that you can lean back at an angle of 100 to 110 degrees. Sitting erect is not only tiring, but is also hard on the muscles between your shoulder blades.

The keyboard should be two to three inches below the level of your wrists.

The monitor should be directly in front of you and about an arm’s length away. Your natural eye, neck and head position should be about two to three inches below the top edge of the monitor.

If you are typing a document into the computer, secure it at the same height and angle as the monitor.

When moving the mouse on a desktop computer, use your whole arm — not just your wrist — to slide the mouse.

Talk with your chiropractor to find out ways to make your home office, or your office at work, ergonomically sound.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com