Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Injury Prevention

Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Injury Prevention Scott Michaels D.C., M.D. practice presently limited to chiropractic

Dr. Scott Michaels Doctor of Medicine (MD) Dec 2008 Saint Matthews University School Of Medicine Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) Dec 1986 Texas Chiropractic College Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) Logan Chiropractic College Bachelors Degree Psychology Degree Stony Brook State University of New York

Dr. Scott Fechter Clinical Supervisor Doctor of Chiropractic Sherman Chiropractic College Bachelors Degree Physical Education Flagler College National Federation of Personnel Trainers Certified

Work activities (ergonomics) • Greek words ergon [work] and nomos [natural laws] • Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with designing according to human needs, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. [2] • The field is also called human engineering, and human factors.

Five aspects of ergonomics • safety • comfort • ease of use • productivity/performance • aesthetics.

Safety • Medicine bottles: The print on them could be larger so that a sick person who may have impaired vision (due to sinuses, etc.) can more easily see the dosages and label. Ergonomics could design the print style, color and size for optimal viewing

Comfort • Lumbar support in a car seat. • HUD in aircraft

Ease of use • Street Signs: In a strange area, many times it is difficult to spot street signs. This could be addressed with the principles of visual detection in ergonomics. • User friendly computers, intuitive

Productivity/performance • Voicemail instructions: It takes too long to have to listen to all of the obvious instructions. • Ergonomics could address this by providing more options to the user, enabling them to easily and quickly skip the instructions • Equipment can be ergonomically designed for handedness and gender. • Knee replacement prosthetics • Why?

Aesthetics • Signs in the workplace: Signage should be made consistent throughout the workplace to not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also so that information is easily accessible.

Domains • Physical ergonomics: • Cognitive ergonomics: is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (education) • Organizational ergonomics

Heads up display F16

HUD GPS

Ergo Chair

Ergonomic design features to avoid mechanical trauma • Lifting (Macro Trauma) • Driving • Carrying • Sitting • Computers • Sleeping • Overuse (repetitive micro trauma)

Posture: efficiently opposing gravity

Exercise in the work place • Increases productivity • Decreases injuries • Employees want exercise programs to help relieve mental and musculoskeletal stress.

Proper Lifting Improper lifting results in disability

Evolution?

Sitting 7

Misalignment and or Fixation of the Joints Joints of the spine or any of the articulations of the body can become fixated or “locked up” due to: • Trauma • repetitive micro trauma • Wear and tear • Aging • Muscular imbalance • Tissue Scarring of: • ligaments, fascia, muscles or capsules

Rehabilitation • Strengthening of supportive muscles.

VOTED BEST of Saint Augustine Record 2008 • We Offer: • Quality Chiropractic Care • Physiotherapy • Massage Therapy • Affordable payment plans • Insurance Assignment • Preferred Provider Blue Cross of FL • Preferred providers for Saint Johns county teachers

Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Injury Prevention