Mobile Ergonomics

Finally, a new year, a fresh start, a great time to get organized. Face it, working from home may be here for a while so what better time to de-clutter and improve your workspace organization.

We’d like to look at this from an ergonomic perspective (what else would you expect). Cleaning off your desk the “ergonomic way” can result in increased productivity and reduced discomfort.

1) Reclaim your desktop space.

Lift your monitors off your desktop by adding monitor arms. Not only will this open desktop space, but also better position your monitors at eye level, eliminating neck strain from improper monitor positioning. If your laptop is your main monitor, use a laptop riser or laptop jack to raise it up and add a separate keyboard and mouse, keeping your hands, forearms and neck in neutral position and improving your comfort.

What about that printer? Move your printer off your desktop to a mobile printer caddy on the floor next to your desk or underneath your desk if you have enough room. Get a CPU holder mounted under your desk or a tech dock laptop drawer to hold your laptop under your worksurface.

2) Declutter your desktop and underneath your desk.

Keep only the things you use daily on top of your desk. These should be within your primary reach zone on your desktop. This is the area in which you can easily reach without pulling forward in your chair or overextending your arms and shoulders.

This might be a pen, notepad, stapler and your phone. Clear off papers and other desktop accessories like paper clips, extra post-it pads, and scissors. If you’re right-handed, try to position items that you frequently access on the right side of your desk. Your phone could be positioned on the left freeing up your right hand for note taking.

Need more storage?  Add desk drawers under your desk or mobile pedestal file to clear files off your desktop but easily within reach. Scan documents that you need to keep and recycle the rest to get rid of the paper clutter.

Declutter underneath your desk so that you have room for your legs and feet. Your feet should be flat on the floor or supported with a footrest for additional support. And you need room to stretch out your legs.

3) Clean your keyboard and mouse!

Sanitizing your keyboard helps to reduce the spread of germs in the office and at home for a healthier work environment. Tap crumbs loose or use compressed air to blow dust and debris out from the crevices of your keyboard. Isopropyl alcohol and some cotton swabs can be used if more cleaning is needed for sticky keys. UV-C wand lights may further help sanitize your desktop electronics.

Maybe it’s time for a new keyboard. Why not make it an ergonomic keyboard to help keep your wrists and forearms aligned in a neutral position.

4) Manage your cables.

Cables hanging down from your desk not only clutters your desk, but also can get caught on your feet and legs. Cables are also an easy target for young ones and pets to play with potentially damaging or pulling your monitor or electronics off your desk. Simple Velcro strips, cable clips and plastic zip ties can easily tame and organize wires gone wild. Wire managers “snakes” attach underneath your desk and help conceal wires.

Avoid trip hazards from cords stretched across the floor with Secure Cord Cable Covers.

Add a desktop power outlet or mount a surge protector to the underside of your desk to minimize wires hanging down from your desk.

5) Use Proper Placement to Promote Good Posture.  

Don’t forget good ergonomic posture tips. Keep the weight of your head in line with your shoulders and your shoulders balanced over your hips. Place your monitor and keyboard directly in front of you to minimize turning your head to one side.

Minimize stretching forward to reach things on your desk, remembering the basic ergonomic principles of keeping frequently used items within your primary reach zone.

Document holders or slant boards provide a designated spot for your papers but more importantly minimize neck twisting and bending to view documents. The VuRyte MemoScape Plus provides a fun, colorful support for your documents, mobile phone and note pads.

Monday was National Clean Your Desk Day so it’s a great time to reclaim, declutter and clean your desk and computer accessories for an organized and healthy start to a new year. With so many of us working from home, we need to do everything possible to feel good about our workspace and control what we can for a healthy year. 

To promote a healthier, organized and safe work area, we are offering FREE Mini-Remote Ergonomic Assessments of your workspace. Contact us today to schedule your remote session and start the new year off with desk health and organization. Call 844-994-0500 or 314-994-0500.

Time For An Ergonomic Tune-Up

Working from home is something that won’t be going away any time soon. It is yet to be determined whether this is a long-term solution or a short-term, but we do know it’s your daily reality for now.

Perhaps you’ve dismissed a not so perfect desk setup, but now it’s time to take a more serious look at your comfort. Honestly, this isn’t just for your comfort but for your overall well-being (and perhaps your family’s as well). A proper workstation setup workstation can help reduce work stress and have positive effects on your health.

Right Tool for the Job:

Part of a healthy ergonomic mindset starts with the selection of ergonomically correct tools and workstation. You’ve heard the phrase “the right tool for the job”. This doesn’t just refer to hammers and wrenches but also applies to ergonomic “tools” that you use while working at a computer on a daily basis. Injuries are often caused by using inappropriate tools or makeshift devices. 

Using the right tools is vital to your ergonomic safety.  In previous articles we’ve discussed a variety of topics related to selecting a good ergonomic chair and various ergonomic checklists on how to set up an ergonomic workstation, but if you still haven’t gotten around to it then read on. And even if you have already put in place some of the suggestions, it doesn’t hurt to keep reading for additional tips.

Review your Current Workstation:

Please take a moment now and reevaluate your current home office setup. What is your body telling you – any discomfort or increase in pain? These are indications that your body needs something to change. Does your chair encourage good posture? Bad posture can trigger back and neck pain which can easily be minimized with a more supportive chair or some simple modifications using cushions. Are you still working on your laptop? It might be time to get a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse to help position your neck and wrists in a neutral position or to just be able to see your monitor better.

Remote Ergonomic Assessment Assistance:

Need more assistance? We are now offering Remote Ergonomic Assessments to help you identify areas of fatigue or discomfort while you are working and to implement changes that will improve your comfort. It starts with a simple checklist to provide us with some information regarding your areas of concerns, along with some pictures showing us various postures while you work (side profile, front view, back view and even a shot from above) and some measurements including your height and your desk height. Then we’ll set up a conference call or zoom meeting (don’t you love those!) to discuss this information and help you make some adjustments and if necessary, explore other recommendations.  We’ll focus on identifying the key ergonomic risk factors:  force, frequency, posture and duration and make recommendations to minimize these factors. Our clients tell us our recommendations have made a significant difference in their work comfort.

It’s clear that this pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways, from how we work, shop and even walk outside. Once a vaccine becomes available and we rediscover social interaction without masks, it’s unlikely that everything will just go back to the way it was. 

What are you doing to take care of yourself? What else can you do to maximize your wellness?  Do you have the right tools for your job?  In the current environment, ultimately you are responsible for your home office comfort and the ergonomic design of your workstation. So let's partner to make it as comfortable as we can.

Contact us today for your remote ergonomic assessement! Call 844-994-0504 or 314-994-0504, email [email protected]

Working from home can be more stressful than working in an office. Whether it is kids, pets, outdoor noises, or other distractions, your new environment can take a toll on your mental and physical health. There are some changes that you can make to provide a healthier work from home workspace.

Neutral Posture

• Your muscles and ligaments are most relaxed when you are in a neutral position. 
• Keep your wrists and forearms straight to reduce the risk of tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Use a wrist rest and mouse rest or a separate ergonomic keyboard and mouse. 
• Neck should be straight with head aligned above shoulders and hips and your chin level. When you bend your neck at a 30-degree tilt to look at your laptop screen, it is equivalent to 40 lbs. of pressure. Neutral neck positions can reduce risks of headaches, neck strain, neck pain and back pain. Use a laptop riser to raise your laptop to eye level.
• When sitting your back should be resting against the back of the chair with your shoulders back. Avoid hunching your shoulders up or forward. Arms and legs should be resting parallel with the floor. Legs should not be bent under or dangle not touching the floor. Feet should be flat on the floor or supported with a footrest.     
• A standing neutral position has some of the same recommendations. Keep your head over your shoulder and hips and at chin level facing forward. Your arms and shoulders should still be relaxed and parallel with the floor. Use a standing mat to alleviate foot and back fatigue.

Avoid Static Postures

• Follow the 20/8/2 Rule; Sit in a neutral posture for 20 minutes, stand in a neutral posture for 8 minutes and move for 2 minutes. 
• The movement can be gentle stretches or a short stroll. Use alarms on your smartwatch or smartphone to help remind you to move.

Review Workspace Lighting

• Frequently overlooked, but an important consideration. Having the proper lighting can boost productivity and reduce headaches. 
• Do not place your desk where the laptop or monitor is facing a window. The direct glare from the sunlight can cause the brain to have trouble adapting between the bright window and dark screen. Instead face the screen sideways to the bright window. When in a room with direct sunlight, always have window coverings to shade the light.
• Add a task light if you are in a room without sunlight or if the sunlight is not bright enough. The best task lights are those that can change brightness and color.

Air & Surface Quality (an often forgotten or ignored issue)

• There are millions of microbes in residential indoor air, including chemicals, fibers, viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, etc. To make your work from home space healthier, invest in a room air cleaner. There are some small desk top units that will clean the air around you.
• Eliminate surface contamination by frequently cleaning your monitor screen, keyboards, mice, phones and other devices. You can purchase a UV-C light wand or disinfect with Clorox. Another option is to purchase products containing Microban like keyboards and mice.

Mindfulness

• One of the most important changes that you can make is to be mindful of your body and what it needs.
• The stress of the new environment, virtual learning for our kids and other distractions can take a toll on mental health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We all need to take care of ourselves not only physically but mentally as well.
• Start by taking 15 minutes, go to a quiet place, no phones, or devices, and just focus on breathing and yourself. Do this once or twice a day to reduce stress and become a healthier you.

This may be our new normal for a while so let's make it as healthy and as comfortable as we can.

To promote a healthier work from home atmosphere and space, we are offering FREE remote ergonomic assessments of your workspace (offer expires 6/30/20). Contact us today to schedule your remote session and be one step closer to comfort. Call 844-994-0500 or 314-994-0500.

References:

http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/CUESitStandPrograms.html

When choosing a chair for your home office you might first look at on-line office supply stores, one of the many on-line furniture companies or even Amazon. You may find some low-priced choices that look nice but are they comfortable? Ergonomic chairs range from Good, Better, and Best and prices may range from $100 to $1,000 or more. Chairs touted as “ergonomic” may look good but the old saying “you get what you pay for” still rings true.

How do you select a chair that fits your needs and budget, and most importantly is comfortable to sit in all day?

Good Ergonomic Features:

A basic chair may be a good option for you if you just need a simple chair and don’t have any existing back issues. Ideally, the chair should have the ability to adjust the back and seat angle independently with a height adjustable lumbar support that provides back support where you need it while protecting your lower back and spine. Chair arms with some height adjustability will support your arms and forearms and help reduce the stress on your upper back and shoulders. The chair should have a 5-star base for stability and allow the seat height to be adjusted up or down. The control mechanism should allow the chair to rock or lock into place. 

A seat slider is recommended to allow the seat depth to be shortened or lengthened to better fit your height but isn’t critical IF the depth of the chair fits you properly. When sitting with your back against the chair back, a proper fitting chair will allow about two fingers’ spacing between your calf to the edge of the seat. If the seat is too long, the seat edge may touch the back of your calves and leave a gap between your back with the chair back providing little or no back support. A seat that is too short leaves too much of your legs extending over the front of the seat and does not provide sufficient support for your legs.

The seat pan on a basic level chair often has cut-foam construction which may be adequate when used for a few hours but results in increased seated pressure over longer time periods. Pressure mapping shows significant areas of heightened pressure areas in these types of seats. A simple test to determine seat foam quality is if you can push your thumb on the seat and feel the seat pan, you’re going to bottom out when you sit on it. Inferior foam thickness and quality can cause pressure points when sitting for long periods causing pain and discomfort. If you have a hard floor, you’ll want to find a chair that offers hard floor or urethane casters so the chair doesn’t slip out from under you or damage your floors. 

Chairs at this level may range in the $100 - $400 level. Many lower-end chairs are imports with a maximum of 250 lbs. weight capacity, and limited warranties.  Look for chairs that are made in the USA for easier warranty and generally better quality.

Better Ergonomic Features:

Too many times, we hear that customers have purchased a basic chair, and after working longer hours at home, they begin to complain “my butt hurts” or “my back is killing me”. They need a chair with better support and comfort.

The next step up adds better quality, molded contoured foam seats with waterfall front edges which distributes weight more effectively and reduces seated pressure points. An upgraded control mechanism with more adjustments provides a better fit for improved back comfort. These adjustments include independent back angle and seat angle with forward tilt capabilities allowing the user to easily vary their position and reduces pressure on the back of the thigh.  Chair arms with a softer arm pad and pivot options provide full forearm support and minimize pressure on the elbow and ulnar nerve.

The chair may come in different seat sizes ranging from petite to extra-long with back heights from mid-back to high-back for improved upper back support. Many will provide standard weight capacities of up to 300 lbs. or more for plus-size needs. Warranties may extend up to ten years or limited lifetime from US based manufacturers. And you may be able to select from a wider range of fabrics for increased comfort.

This category includes: ergoCentric Seating and Office Master chairs

Best Ergonomic Features:

The truly ergonomic chairs will provide superior comfort and the best seated pressure reduction. It’s like finding the right pair of shoes for the best comfort. It’s the ahhhh feeling when you sit for long periods and can still get out of your chair without aching all over. 

The best ergonomic features include air lumbar or lumbar depth adjustment features to control the depth and firmness of the lumbar support; control mechanisms with a greater range of adjustments and independent back and seat angle control; custom options such as thoracic back foam build-ups or coccyx cut-outs for even more pressure reduction and support. 

Along with height and width adjustable arms, padded arm pads with 360-degree swivel movement and lateral motion allows the user to find the perfect fit and position the chair arms by their sides avoiding elbows winging out when arms are too wide. To alleviate discomfort, shoulders should be relaxed with forearms neutral, and elbows close to the body. Having fully adjustable arms helps support your arms and shoulders in a neutral posture and reduces muscle fatigue from holding your arms up. 

Several manufacturers provide contoured seat designs ranging from a minimal contoured seat, moderate contour, and high contoured seats. A contoured seat design made with quality molded foam can bring a better chair into the best category. Memory foam can be added to reduce seated pressure and certain fabrics, like knit fabric, give more and allows for a softer sit.

At this level, expect limited lifetime warranties and some may even include labor for any service repairs that may be needed. The best ergonomic features provide the most comfort and increased productivity during a full workday, every day and the best return on your investment. 

This category includes:  BodyBilt, Neutral Posture, Sit-Matic chairs

It may be worth finding an ergonomic chair vendor who has the experience and expertise to help you. Your chair should last for many years so take time to carefully select and get the right chair to fit your needs. Call us today at 844-994-0500 or email us at [email protected] to discuss your comfort needs and we can fin the right solution for you.

You’ve been working from home for the past few weeks and have made quick fixes to your work area to get by for a short term.  But a few weeks is now dragging into a few months or possibly more.  Now is the time to reassess your ergonomic needs not only for your personal comfort but also for your productivity and improved organization.

Let’s face it, working from home can be challenging enough with the demands of homeschooling kids, limited space, technology obstacles, not to mention the countless other distractions.  Unless you have the right setup, you will end up with back, neck and shoulder pain sooner or later.

Now might be the time to invest in a comfortable ergonomic chair. But where do you start with so many choices?  Buying a chair on-line without having a chance to do the “butt test” makes it a bit harder to pick the right chair for you. Your chair is the most-used work tool and can have the biggest impact on your work comfort.

For the best comfort look for chairs that have a high-quality, supportive foam seat pan.  A slightly contoured or moderately contoured seat will work best for dispersing seated pressure on your Ischial Tuberosity, or “sit bones” which absorb your weight when you sit.  If you’re feeling a pain in your buttocks then this will provide the best support. Many inexpensive, imported chairs have cut-foam with inferior foam which may feel good at first but over time will compress and bottom out. 

For good back support, look for chairs with independent back angle adjustments so that you can adjust the angle to fit your position.  Many chairs don’t angle far enough forward and provide little if any upper back support. A quality ergonomic chair will have lumbar support that is height adjustable and if available, an inflatable air lumbar. A mid-back chair may be enough if you just need lower support but a higher back chair will provide better upper back and thoracic support. The choice between a mesh-back and a foam back depends on your needs but whichever you choose make sure that it has good adjustment range and lumbar support options.

Investing in your comfort will pay for itself.  Quality ergonomic chairs are meant to last for years.  An investment in a $600 chair equates to $1.65 per day over the course of a year and will lead to better back health not to mention an increase in productivity as a result!

So many chairs claim ergonomic design – but don’t be fooled by marketing.  Labels and looks don’t mean much if you’re not comfortable or if the chair doesn’t provide you the support that you need.  The cool looking chair may not be the most comfortable.

We are here to discuss your needs and to help you select the chair that best fits your body and needs.

Reference:

I’ve discussed ergonomic workstation set-up in other articles, but here’s a quick reference from Mayo Clinic for your review.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169

October is an exciting month for us. Not only is it National Ergonomics Month, but it’s also National Women’s Small Business Month! Laurie started Advanced Ergonomic Concepts in 1996 wanting to balance being a mom with being a working professional. Her mission was to provide quality ergonomic solutions that work and make a positive impact on the customer’s comfort level.

From the early days of a one-woman home office to our current location in Westport, Advanced Ergonomic Concepts has grown to be a successful business.  AEC has become a trusted ergonomic source for major local companies as well as their branches throughout the United States.

Advanced Ergonomic Concepts is WBE certified with the State of Missouri and participates in local Supplier Diversity events and Corporate Programs.  We encourage you to establish or participate in diversity programs and opportunities to buy from women-owned businesses when possible.  According to research conducted by WEConnect International, women-owned businesses earn less than 1 percent of the money spent on vendors by large corporations and governments.

The National Association of Women Business Owners has some interesting statics on women-owned businesses.  For example, women-owned firms account for 39% of all privately held firms and contribute 8% of employment and 4.2% of revenues.  Click here for additional information.

Sources:

https://weconnectinternational.org/en/corporate-membership/why-buy-from-women

https://www.nawbo.org/resources/women-business-owner-statistics

The use of mobile devices provides even easier access to the office and their use has become pervasive in businesses.  The rate of tablet ownership is expected to continue to grow.  Is this increased usage giving us back pain or creating other ergonomic challenges?

Researchers found this love of our new mobile devices promotes poor postures which strain the upper back, neck and shoulders.  All of t...

You may not think ergonomic office furniture when you think of safety but did you know over 33% of workplace injuries are caused from overexertion such as repetitive motions? 

With June being National Safety Month, it is important to recognize safety precautions within the workplace. Make sure to take frequent breaks by going on short walks, using good posture, resting your eyes, and performing erg...

When it comes to working as comfortably and efficiently as possible, don’t overlook the role of lighting and glare. As more and more workers, employers and HR personnel become aware of the importance of ergonomically-correct chairs, desks and keyboards, it’s vital to remember that the job’s only half done.

Improper lighting can cause eye strain and headaches, but did you know that it can contribute to strain on the neck, shoulders and back that often results from sitting incorrectly in order to see better or to avoid glare from improper lighting.

Too Much Light Or Not Enough?

Low lighting vision accommodations such as leaning forward in the chair, bending the neck downward to view documents, and extending the head forward to see the monitor are common. These awkward working postures reverse the natural curvature of the head and neck, push the spine out of alignment and add significant stress to the neck and shoulders.

In contrast, high luminance environments may cause direct glare and excessive light contributing to eye strain, headaches and other visual discomforts. Older offices and facilities were designed before employees used computers extensively. The lighting was designed around working with paper documents not computers, and the belief that more is better. Fluorescent light fixtures lined the ceilings in nice even rows most likely providing more light than needed and little or no flexibility for the user.

Good lighting has many benefits:

• It enhances your well-being
• It improves performance and efficiency
• It creates a positive work environment
• It adapts to your specific needs
• It is ergonomically correct
• It reduces the risk of headaches and tiredness

Proper Lighting Considerations

Determining the proper lighting for an area must take several factors into consideration including the nature of the work, the work environments, daytime or nighttime lighting needs and glare or reflections from both inside and outside. Other factors must be considered to determine the correct amount of lighting for an individual. Adjustments may need to be made based on the age of the worker, the task being performed and the size of the work area.

The eye changes with time, and by the time most people reach their forties, they will likely notice deterioration in eyesight. In addition to glasses, they may require more light to be able to carry out the same tasks. The need for light increases dramatically as we age. A person in his/her forties requires double the amount of light as a 20 year old.The high contrast between light and dark areas of the computer screen, your desktop or horizontal work surface, and the surrounding areas can cause eye fatigue and headaches.

In order to address the needs of a varying employee base and the variety of tasks performed, individual adjustable lighting should be considered. Different people want and need different levels of lighting. For optimal productivity, providing individual lighting allows each person to control the light levels in their own workstation to best meet their needs.

Remember the 20/20/20 Rule

In addition to the correct lighting, vision related musculoskeletal discomforts can be relieved by regular Ergo Breaks. When taking these breaks, it also is a good idea to stand up and stretch to relieve muscle tension in your neck, back and shoulders. Remember to allow a break for the eyes too. Look up and away often when performing prolonged near vision tasks. For computer users, a helpful tip is to remember the "20-20-20 rule” - every 20 minutes, look away from your computer screen and direct your gaze at an object that is at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye reducing the risk of eyestrain and eye fatigue. It also relaxes eye alignment muscles used to converge your eyes for near work

Correct lighting simply helps users work better and be more productive.  In addition, light influences people. The right lighting can have significant influences on you and your employees.

Lighting and glare rank right up there with posture and ergonomically-correct chairs, desks and keyboards when it comes to preventing eye and neck strain, but they can be addressed with some forethought and common sense. The right lighting solutions help create the experience of comfortable, flexible and stimulating working environments.

Mobile working offers you freedom from the office and increased flexibility to work from anywhere.  Sometimes this means you may end up working in spaces and places that weren’t designed with comfort in mind not to mention ergonomics.

The use of iPads and other touch screen devices provides even easier access to the office and their use has become pervasive in businesses.  The rate of tablet ownership is expected to continue to grow.  Recently a client advised me that they had approved iPads for their employees to use when traveling or working outside of the office which led me to thinking… Is this increased usage giving us back pain or creating other ergonomic challenges?

“...love of our new mobile devices promotes poor postures...”

Yes, according to a study out of Harvard.  Researchers found this love of our new mobile devices promotes poor postures which strain the upper back, neck and shoulders.  All of the ergonomic evils of the laptop are present in these popular devices:  Stressful non-neutral neck postures while looking down at the screen, repetitive forward reaching of the shoulder (shoulder flexion) when touching the screen, and a rotated forearm (pronation).  We have some real concerns with the ergonomic implications of these touch screen devices when used for more than a short period of time. 

“The beauty of tablets and other mobile devices is their flexibility,” says Dr. Jack Dennerlein, director of the Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomic Laboratory at HSPH (Harvard School of Public Health). “You can use them almost anywhere and in different ways.  You can hold them in your lap, you can hold them in your hand.  The problem is that some of the postures people are in when using a tablet can be awkward and lead to discomfort with prolonged use.” 

Research conducted by Dr. Dennerlein and his colleagues at the HSPH studied four ways that people use tablets:  Lap-Hand (tablet held on the lap); Lap-Case (resting the tablet in its case at an angle on your lap); Table-Case (tablet placed on table in a case angled at a low angle); and Table-Movie (resting the tablet at a steep angle on a table).

The worst way to use your iPad is on your lap which forces the neck to bend forward too much, straining and possibly even injuring muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or spinal discs. Their research showed that simply placing a tablet on a table propped at a higher angle in a tablet case or support (Table-Movie position) can reduce neck strain and potential pain.  These cases reduce the need to grip the device, and also allow it to be propped up at an angle that keeps the user’s head in a neutral position, minimizing neck strain. And second, give your neck a break.  "Usually we tell people they should change their position every 15 minutes," says Dr. Dennerlein. "Just change your hands, shift your weight. Stand up or sit down."

So, keeping your head in a neutral position may make all the difference in minimizing “iPad” neck strain!

Keep in mind that tablet use also increases the user’s wrist extension when holding the tablet for long periods or when keying.  Gripping an iPad can be forceful in terms of the forearm muscles so if you do need to hold it for extended timeframes alternate left and right hands to avoid static wrist flexion.  Using a grip strap may minimize awkward wrist postures, and avoid a pinch grip when holding the tablet.  It may also prevent an iPad from slipping out of your hands.

The iPad’s compact design with an integrated screen and keyboard forces you to choose between good hand and wrist posture versus good neck posture.  Your best posture depends on how you’re using the tablet. 

If you’re simply viewing the screen without needing to touch it, then elevate the screen and angle it in an upright position.  Touchscreen typing is another story!  Typing on an iPad keyboard for more than a few paragraphs can be frustrating (at least I found it so).  Touchscreen typing is not ergonomically sound and is even more difficult when typing while standing up or holding the iPad with one hand. 

In addition, the screen has a different “touch” than a regular keyboard.   For intensive inputting (keying), consider using an external keyboard that links with Bluetooth connections.  Sit in a comfortable position with your shoulders relaxed and elbows close to your body.  Keep your hands, wrists and forearms in a neutral position. 

If you choose to use an iPad or tablet, remember these were not designed to replace your laptop computer but rather for shorter, quick interactions.  The lightweight and compact design along with its direct access makes it easy to carry and stay connected.   I love the convenience of my iPad and keep finding new ways to increase my productivity.  Keep it short, keep it safe and enjoy your iPad.