about

Ergowellness offers hands-on ergonomics training and consulting, including workplace wellness seminars for computer users and individual workstation and evaluations. How many risk factors do you or your business face for repetitive strain injury? We help you prevent and identify potential injury by training you to adjust your movement habits and workstation set up, and to support your body with comfort and ease. Let us help you set up your ergonomics office! Individual workstation assessments are available in Missoula, MT and outlying areas, for both business and home offices.

Founded in 2010, after the owner experienced an acute muscular skeletal disorder due to repetitive strain injury, Cheyenne became a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist, dedicated to helping others in proper workstation set-up, education and prevention of repetitive strain injuries. Additionally, Ergowellness provides interactive and powerful presentations on an ongoing basis including collaboration with Missoula professionals: Brent Dodge of Alpine Physical Therapy, Anthony Lambert of Lambert Family Chiropractic and Holly Greenwood of Real Cooking.

Ergowellness cares about the total health and wellness of individuals sitting for long periods at their desk. We are dedicated to taking preventative measures to help individuals and employees prevent  injury while computing and to promote complete health and well-being. This vision takes the commitment and dedication of supervisors and individuals to support happy and healthy work habits which will in turn create energized and productive outcomes!

Give yourself, business and/or employees the opportunity to learn more to stay healthy and safe while computing.

 

Benefits:

• prevent repetitive strain injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis), learn tips and techniques

• alleviate eyestrain

• feel more alive, alert, healthy and productive at work

• save money by reducing costly workers compensation expenses –or for freelancers, save your savings account!

• comply with OSHA health and safety requirements

 

Are you aware?

RSI (repetitive strain injuries)

RSI are the fastest-growing occupational hazard (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics), Missoula, MT searches on Google 22,000 times per month for repetitive strain injury (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal)

CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome)

The average carpal tunnel syndrome claim costs between $14,039-$22,000  (source: national council on compensation insurance, Inc.), Missoula, MT searches on Google 27,100 times per month for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal)

CVS (computer vision syndrome)

Computer vision syndrome affects almost 66,000,000 people. 91% of all computer users suffer from eye strain (Source: the national Institute of occupational health and safety)

 

We want to help!  We want to increase your awareness about repetitive strain injuries and provide you with the basic information you need to know in order to prevent injury. We are interested in your overall well-being and recognize that equipment modifications are only a part of your health and safety in your workplace environment.  We also collaborate with health care professionals and actively refer in order to ensure total well-being. We’re interested in how you interact with your workspace. In addition, we would love to make recommendations on workplace efficiencies and productivity so as to integrate a wonderful work/life balance. Learn how to position and support your body and avoid fatigue and strain that lead to injury.  You will find yourself working better and feeling better with the proper tools and techniques in place.

Repetitive strain injuries are preventable, and we specialize in practical ways to avoid injuries.

Missoula Ergonomics

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  • Quick Tips
    Here are some quick tips to feel energized while working at the computer! Implementation and commitment to health and wellness while computing will help you feel relaxed energized and more efficient throughout your work day!


    Do:

    1. Energize and Exercise!
    2. Warm up
    3. Workstation is comfortable for your body:
     • alignment: body is properly aligned
     • placement: all items are within comfortable reach, use all vertical space well
    • movement: move comfortably and stretch frequently
    4. 20/20 rule: 
     every 20 minutes, a 20 second break, 
     every hour get up and stretch for 5 min.
    5. RSIguard.com For easy exercise reminders!
    6. Change your relationship with the computer and mix up the tools you use, try a computer tablet for the mouse, what about a Dictate program? 
    7. Drink water and eat well!
    8. Become efficient
    9. Get help if you are in pain!


    Don't:

    • Stay stagnant
    • Twist, crowd legs and arms
    • Keyboard and mouse click without frequent breaks
    • Stay silent if you are uncomfortable or in pain
    • Forget to eat and stay hydrated
  • Carpal tunnel tips from Alpine Physical Therapy

    Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common problem affecting the hand and wrist. Symptoms begin when the median nerve gets squeezed inside the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Any condition that decreases the size of the carpal tunnel or enlarges the tissues inside the tunnel can produce the symptoms of CTS.
    hand_carpal_tunnel_intro01
    This syndrome has received a lot of attention in recent years because of suggestions that it may be linked with occupations that require repeated use of the hands, such as typing on a computer keyboard or doing assembly work. Actually, many people develop this condition regardless of the type of work they do.
    If you’re experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, I want you to try this super easy and often helpful tip to help ease your symptoms. The next time you’re feeling tingling or pain in your hand and fingers, do this.
    Place your hands on your belly. With your other hand, firmly grasp the middle and ring fingers of your sore hand. While securely squeezing your fingers, gently begin to pull your arms apart. You should feel as though you’re two fingers are being stretched out. Hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds. You may find that this tactic can help you keep your symptoms at bay. (The picture below shows me self treating my right hand.)
    IMG_4649
    For more information on carpal tunnel syndrome, I invite you to read the document on my clinic website called “A Patient’s Guide to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.” It’s easy to read, has visually appealing graphics, and gives you helpful information on the causes and treatments for this common malady.
    Click here to get the rest of this informative document on my clinic website located at www.AlpinePTmissoula.com.
  • Avoid reaching
    Your keyboard and mouse should be at the same level and close together to allow your arms to relax at 90° angles. Avoid reaching for items such as your mouse or your keyboard, or paperwork. Keep things very close together, this allows our arms and hands to work less and rest more!