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Digital Health and Wellness

N’jemele BushCIED 7601

Summer 2008

Digital Health and Wellness

This Presentation Discusses:

• Use of Ergonomics in the Digital Environment• Examples of Computer Related Disorders (CRD)• Causes of These Disorders• Signs of An Existing Disorder• Strategies to Prevent CRD• Treatment Measures of CRD

What is Digital Health and Wellness?

• Element of Digital Citizenship• Defined as

The elements of physical and psychological well-being

related to digital technology use

(Ribble and Bailey, 31)

Quiz of the Day

Student Self Assessment• Has your head ever hurt after, while, or during your work

on a computer?• Do you ever have back pain or strain in lower spine when

working at your desk?• Have you ever had pain in your wrists, joints or legs once

leaving the computer workspace?• Have you found yourself sitting endlessly on the Internet

and showing no progress? If any of your answers to these questions are yes, you may

be suffering from a Computer Related Disorder

Computer-Related Disorders

Computer Related Disorders

• Computer Related Disorders are health conditions developed from repetitive use of a computer.

• Each is formed due to body positioning and/or habitual behavior.

• These disorders can be prevented, however if you attain them, each is treatable as well as possibly reversible.

According to the Better Health Channel website:Over 25% of all computer users worldwide suffer with at least one CRD with or without treatment.

The US spends over 2 billion dollars a year for not treating a CRD. This money is spent by independent users in purchases of over the counter medication and/or purchasing equipment for comfort at home and work.

It is important to recognize the signs now as well as treat CRDs at their present stage as they can and will get worse.

Statistical Importance of Computer Related Disorders

Causes of Computer Related Disorders

• Poor position of monitor, keyboard, and/or mouse

• Inadequate lighting• Typing or keying too long without a break• Poor posture• Cradling phone between head and shoulder

while working in your workstation

Effects of Computer Related Disorders

There are primarily two effects of Computer Related Disorders

Physical Effect It can effect your physical abilities of your

nervous and skeletal system

Mental/Psychological Effect It can effect how you act and react mentally.

Types of Computer Related Disorders

Example of Physical CRDs

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome• Extensor Tendonitis • Repetitive Strain Syndrome• Neck and Back Strain

Examples of Mental CRDs

• Depression• Computer/Internet Addiction

http://www.healthycomputing.com/health/conditions/index.html

• Computer Vision Syndrome• Electromagnetic Radiation• Eye and vision problems • Ganglion Cysts • Bursitis

Most Common Computer Related Disorder

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move

(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Diagram of Formation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

During carpal tunnel release, the transverse carpal tunnel ligament is severed to relieve pressure on the median nerve. The surgery may be done by making one incision on the palm side of the wrist, or by making several small incisions. (Mayo Clinic Website)

Symptoms of Computer Related Disorder

• Stiffness and Pain in the joints or muscles throughout the body

• Fatigue• Weakness and numbness of the hands, fingers

and various body parts• Lack of circulation to the muscles, bones,

tendons and ligaments• Neck pain and frequent 'cracking' of the neck

Symptoms of Computer Related Disorder (contd.)

• Difficulty using hands for normal activities such us opening doors, chopping vegetables, or spraying using squirt pump handles.

• Tingling, numbness, burning sensation, loss of sensation, clumsiness, or stiffness in the fingers and/or palms of the hands.

• Cold hands and/or fingertips. • Difficulty feeling hot and cold.

Prevention and Treatment Techniques

Digital Health and Wellness

Good News!• Now that you have been fully educated on the signs and

causes of these disorders, we will work on improving these conditions.

• There are methods to preventing these disorders as well as how to treat them.

Ergonomics

What is Ergonomics?

• Webster defines Ergonomics as

an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely

• It is known as the science of “making things comfy”

Using Ergonomics as a Solution

• Ergonomics is commonly used to reduce musculoskeletal injuries.

• It does this by reducing physical and mental stress caused by the workstation setup

• In order to use Ergonomics, it is important to evaluate the work process. This includes job organization, worker rotation, task variety, demands for speed and quality, and the social aspects of work structure and supervision.

• This process must be completed before ergonomics can be implemented

Diagram of Your Ideal Workspace

http://www.openerg.com/dse/ideal.html

Tips to Preventing CRI and Creating Ergonomics in the Workplace

• Sit in a relaxed or slight slouch position• Hands should be upright on the keyboard• Feet should be flat on the floor• Mouse and Keyboard should be adjacent to one another • Position your monitor as far away as possible• Use an adjustable lamp light• If there is a window in the room, open the blinds and allow

sunlight in. • Take a break every 15 minutes• While typing continuously, rest (or pause) every 30 seconds

Let’s View a Video about Creating Ergonomics in the Workplace

Prevention Methods/Solutions

• Build an Ergonomically Sound Workstation• Practice Yoga at Your Desk• See Orthopedic Surgeons or Physical

Therapists if you feel or show symptoms of a computer related disorder

• Reduce your force and relax your grip when writing or typing

Treatment Measures

• Non Surgical Treatment• Modification of how you use your hands and feet as well as repositioning

yourself when using a computer

• Wrist splints

• Medication

• Shoulder relaxation methods

• Surgical Treatment• Heat/Massage • Chiropractic manipulation • Osteopathic manipulation • Water therapy (hydrotherapy)

Interaction Activity

Ergonomic Self Assessment

http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/language/en-US/default.aspx

Choose Your Height on This Website. It will give you the necessary height and weight dimensions of each section.

http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/390/language/en-US/default.aspx

Here you will complete an assessment of your personal workspace.

Let’s Review

• What does CRD mean?• How can you prevent a CRD?• How can ergonomics improve your

workspace?• List three changes that you plan to make to

your own workspace to improve yourself digitally.

RESOURCES

• http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcArticles.nsf/pages/Computer_related_injuries?OpenDocument

• http://www.ergonomictimes.com/carpal_tunnel_syndrome_symptom.php

• http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm#115103049

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/DS00326

• www.healthycomputing.com

Helpful Links to Being Ergonomically Sound

• http://www.openerg.com/dse/ideal.html• http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/language/en-US/

default.aspx• http://www.ehow.com/how_4733_set-work-space.html• http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/healthycomputing/vdt4.html• http://www.msmoney.com/mm/career/finding_balance/

ergonomics.htm• http://www.office-ergo.com/• http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yoga/forward_bend.html

Which Are You?

• People who change their lifestyles, have an ergonomic work station and posture have relatively symptom - free working and better work performance.

• However people who do not make the necessary changes have moderate to severe discomfort and have to fall back on medication and/or physical therapy for relief.

Any Questions?

N’jemele BushBCS Instructor

nb00605@email.georgiasouthern.edu404-271-0325