There used to be so much hype at work about proper body ergonomics. That seems to have fallen by the wayside. Is it still important?

Ergonomics literally means the law of work. It is the study of human factors affecting work. This includes physical, psychologic, and social factors. In recent years, the term ergonomics has been closely linked with matching the work place and its tools to the human body for the purpose of preventing injury and disability.

But a series of studies on ways to decrease stress on the spine hasn’t proven that proper ergonomics prevents back injuries. Studies in automobile manufacturing plants did not show any fewer sick days due to low back pain than before ergonomics were started.

In fact, a study of Boeing factory workers in Seattle, Washington showed that psychosocial factors played a big part in back pain. It appears that the physical stresses of work weren’t as disabling as the psychosocial stresses. These findings have been repeated in study after study.

So, the emphasis on ergonomics is less today for two reasons. One, many more people have already adopted ergonomically sound concepts at home and at work. And secondly, there is less focus on the topic in general because of these research findings.