The word “Ergonomics” is thrown around a lot when it comes to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The term comes from the Greek ergon, meaning “work”, and nomos, meaning “natural laws.” By definition, ergonomics means “…the study of efficiency in working environments.” Wikipedia describes it as, “…the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, and its cognitive abilities.” The International Ergonomics Association offers this definition: “Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.”
The study of ergonomics is not new as it dates back to Ancient Greece with substantial evidence that, in the 5th century BCE, ergonomic principles were applied to tool design, job activities, and workplaces. One example is Hippocrates giving surgeons recommendations on how to arrange their table and tools during surgery.
Some ergonomic concepts we can employ on a daily basis include: