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Non Drug Pain Management Ideas: An Ergonomics Primer

What is ergonomics? *
Ergonomics is the science of work.
Ergonomics derives from two Greek words: ergon, meaning work, and nomoi, meaning natural laws. Combined they create a word that means the science of work and a person’s relationship to that work.
In application ergonomics is a discipline focused on making products and tasks comfortable and efficient for the user.
Ergonomics is sometimes defined as the science of fitting the work to the user instead of forcing the user to fit the work. However this is more a primary ergonomic principle rather than a definition.

Most workplaces are required by OSHA to meet certain standards to prevent accidents and injuries for people in their employ.  In the home, many of the same principles can be applied to help prevent problems associated with everyday chores and routines. By using these principles one can perform tasks in a way that is more comfortable, and less likely to cause pain or repetitive injury.



Here are a few items that are available in ergonomic design--

  1.  keyboards              
  2.  wrist braces
  3.  jar openers
  4.  snow shovels
  5.  knee pads
  6.  computer mouse
  7.  bathing brushes
  8.  knives
  9.  garden tools
  10.  pens & pencils
These items are available from a number of sources.  My first suggestion is to do some internet searching--there are some online stores where they can be found readily. You may also find these kinds of items in your local stores. 









*Source:About.com: Ergonomics
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