Dr. Romina Ghassemi, Founder of BAX-U, details how to avoid musculoskeletal disorders and injuries in the work from home environment.

155.7 million people are working in the USA today. According to ergonomic statistics, MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders) are responsible for the direct cost of $20 billion a year. Poor posture contributes to more than 60% of MSDs in work-related injuries. Adding insult to injury, the work from home environment increases poor ergonomics and a higher likelihood of RSI (repetitive stress injuries).

At home, employees try to find comfort working long hours in their new work environment. A corporate study conducted by Seattle City Lights documented that posture improvement positively affects physiology, productivity, and cognitive work.

Poor posture can prolong RSIs (repetitive stress injuries), which can cause chronic pain. Unfortunately, one out of five people in the US suffer from chronic pain. RSI also has a somato-psycho effect. People with chronic pain are 3X more likely to develop depression and anxiety than those without chronic pain, having at least twice the risk of suicide than those without chronic pain.

Poor posture is a reflection of poor posture habits. Offering home care solutions can help working employees change poor posture and reduce the development of RSI related symptoms.

When seeking solutions, it is essential to have a systematic approach that impacts both psychosomatic and somato-psychic risks of health. The best results are when these five steps are addressed:

• Detection of the underlying cause
• RSI and poor habits
• Correction of the existing problem
• Protection against further damages
• Prevention of underlying cause occurrences

Successful practice of addressing physical damage reduces secondary problems of somato-psycho impact on improving physical health, which directly impacts mental health. Addressing posture has a double benefit in a person’s health and wellbeing.

As a clinician, I have been recommending to my patients for years to reduce exposure to MSDs. Most patients could have prevented their condition much earlier and led a healthier, happier life instead of scheduling visits to the doctor. Home care is essential to address RSIs and reduce chronic pain. Preventive measures such as home relief kits alleviate common conditions of MSDs and promote better health.

The good news is that while MSDs are very costly to business, they are preventable. 53% of all workplace injuries can be prevented by merely adjusting how workers use their bodies to interact with their environment, work, and home.

A study by Keith Osborne, award-winning ergonomic and wellness specialist, documented a 21% increase in productivity and a 63% improvement in overall MSD discomforts of 53 employees tested when wearing a wearable posture corrector while at work.