PAST
MEETINGS
THURSDAY, JUNE
22, 2000
LOCATION:
Jenkens & Gilchrist
1919 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 6th floor
(202) 326-1506
HOSTESS:
Rochelle Bungie
TOPIC:
Stress Relief and Ergonomics in the Work Place
Information will be distributed on
ergonomic keyboard trays, furniture, etc.
Since this is our 1-year anniversary
– there will be cake and other surprises! However, you must be present
to win anything and to get all the free stuff!!
FEATURING:
- Dr. Angela Salcedo, Doctor
of Chiropractic – all attending members will receive a free 10
minute consultation with her at her office. She will discuss stress
releasing techniques and other valuable Ergonomic tips.
- Shelly Miles, graduate of
Potomac Massage Training Institute will offer massage techniques for
reducing stress. Also, two persons will win a free massage at the
meeting.
NOTES FROM THE MEETING:
It’s going to be hard
to top this meeting next month! It
was our one year anniversary meeting and we had great food, great turn
out, and lots of prizes and free giveaways!
Thank you to Shelly Miles a graduate
of Potomac Massage Training Institute for giving several members a free
on-the-spot massage. Many of
us walked out very relaxed that evening!
Shelly can be reached in the following ways: Hands-On-Health,
301-297-4380, HandsOnHealthMD@aol.com.
Thank you to Dr. Angela Salcedo,
Doctor of Chiropractic for giving us lots of good tips about the causes of
work related stress and how to avoid and treat them.
She gave me a list of questions you can ask co-workers that may
come to you complaining about work-related pain (see the list below).
You can use this list of question to find the cause of the problem
which leads to the path of healing. Dr. Salcedo also gave everyone at the
meeting a coupon for one
complimentary Spine Consultation. Dr.
Salcedo can be reached in the following ways: 1712
Eye Street, N.W. Suite 1002 (202)296-8817.
·
If pain is in the neck:
ask the person about their telephone usage habits.
Do they cradle the phone between their neck and shoulder?
This cradling habit is very bad for the neck and should be stopped.
If the person needs their hands free while talking on the phone, a
telephone head-set should be employed.
·
Where is the pain?
·
How long does the pain
last?
·
Rate the pain on a scale
of 1-10.
·
Does the person have
pain when they wake up in the morning?
·
Does the person
regularly carry a heavy purse, bag or briefcase?
·
Does the person have
poor posture?
Many spinal stress problems can be caused from poor posture.
A good chair is important with adjustments for height and the back.
Use the backrest of the chair.
Those who sit on the edge of their seat tends to slouch.
Try to sit with your feet flat on the floor, or on a low footstool,
so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips.
Sit firmly against the back of your chair with your neck and lower
back supported.
·
Does the person have bad
sleeping habits? Sleeping
on your stomach is bad for the spine and neck.
Also sleeping with your head on your hands or with your wrist bent
under your chin can cause or aggravate carpal-tunnel syndrome.
·
Does the person exercise
or are they active?
Your body needs regular exercise to stay healthy.
·
What time of day does
the pain occur?
Finding the timeframe of the pain can help determine the cause.
If the pain goes home with them and persists over the weekend (when
they aren’t at work), then the cause must be related to the work
environment. If the pain
persists during all hours of the day and on weekends, a physician should
be consulted for a thorough evaluation.
·
Continuous pain should
be evaluated!
Always encourage someone with long-term pain to consult a
physician.
Also thank you to Russell Wright from
Wordex. Russell is an
Ergonomic Solutions Specialist and Wordex offers ergonomic furniture and
accessories. Russell also
gave everyone a wonderful handout called “Ergonomics is a Philosophy-
Not a Tool!” If you contact
Russell, I’m sure he will send one to you as well.
Russell can be reached at Wordex, 4808 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda,
Maryland 20814; 301-656-4737.
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