Technology certainly has its benefits, and it gives freelance writers more opportunity and better efficiency. Clients can be found all over the world. Communication is easy and convenient with email. The Internet is great for finding the latest research. Parents can stay home with their kids and work without commuting.

Unfortunately, with the benefits there comes a price. That price is aches and pains. You may suffer with sore hands, back, neck, shoulders, and even knees. You may take more aspirin than you would like, or even spend money on new office furniture in an attempt to soothe your aches. However, many factors may contribute to the pain, including poor posture, poor ergonomics, and/or remaining sedentary. Repetitive tasks are one of the more popular things that can cause some work-related injuries. This risk of injury is reduced by ergonomics.

What is ergonomics?

According to an article in IFMA Journal, ergonomics matches the task, tool and environment to fit the needs of people. It is a goal is to better fit the worker and environment to achieve a healthy and productive workplace. There needs to be a certainty with the design of office furniture specific to the person and their capabilities.

Example of poor ergonomics –

According to Mary Ellen Modica, PT, MHS, a Physical Therapist for 22 years who Specializes in treating orthopedic patients and workers injured on the job:

A computer workstation for a short person would not be set up the same as a station for someone 6 ft. tall. The short person would be looking up and elevating their shoulders and flexing wrists to adapt. The tall person in a "short persons" workstation would be flexing there neck, rounding their shoulders. As you see, posture is poor in either scenario.