Office set up advice for Hypermobilty sufferers

Recently we’ve seen a number of people with hypermobility. What is hypermobility, you ask? The term describes a condition where joints stretch farther than normal-you may have heard it being referred to as being “double-jointed”. The elasticity of the joints causes abnormal stress on them, meaning that they can wear out, leading to chronic pain and many other difficulties.

People experiencing hypermobility may find their joints are more easily injured or prone to dislocation. They may develop intense muscle fatigue as muscles work harder to compensate for weakness in the joints.

Posture People client Nicola describes how ergonomic office equipment has helped her to manage her condition:

“Being hypermobile means that I cannot stay in any position for more than a few minutes at a time. Even small changes to equipment can make a lot of difference.

As I am primarily a computer programmer, I have the RollerMouse which allows me to easily control a cursor with the minimum effort whilst the ergorest arm supports take the strain off my shoulders and elbows but allow me to move freely. The height adjustable desk allows me to continue to work even when I cannot sit down.

With the addition of an arm for the monitor, I can easily adjust the positions of all my computer equipment to suit me ergonomically regardless of whether I am sitting or standing.

My favourite piece of equipment will always be the “Adapt” chair, which Posture People sourced especially for me. It adapts to fit the curve of my spine no matter how it changes throughout the day, which greatly reduces my back pain. The ability to rock continuously while I work allows me to constantly move whilst remaining productive. My hypermobile friends who have sat in my chair agree that it is fantastic and we all find that it is by far the most comfortable chair we have ever sat in!”

In order to help our other customers who may be suffering from this condition, we’ve compiled a list of our recommendations for products that you may find particularly useful!

Ergorest

1. An Ergorest is a lightweight and easily moveable armrest support that reduces pain and discomfort caused by working at the computer. It gently cups and holds up the forearms so the weight of the arms is supported, meaning the shoulders don’t take as much strain.  The Ergorest is easy to install, height-adjustable and comes complete with a comfortable leather pad. It fits to most standard desks, although it is important to note that if you have a metal drawer or frame running at the front of the desk the Ergorest won’t be able to grip on to the top. We’d recommend using a pair of Ergorests so the weight is even across both shoulders!

Rollermouse

The Rollermouse range fits snugly underneath a keyboard and decreases the need for stretching. Unlike a conventional unit, this mouse is controlled with the fingertips and situated centrally, meaning the mouse arm does not need to stretch out to the side and thus over-rotation in the shoulder joint is reduced.

Axia Ergonomic Chair

The Axia range of chairs are designed to support the pelvis, so if hip pain is an issue these are the chairs for you! The Axia cradles the pelvis, hugging the lower back. There are several chairs in the range. These chairs are particularly suitable for those suffering from neck pain (when fitted with a headrest) as it allows you to take micro-breaks when your neck is tired. Just lay your head back, allowing your neck and shoulder muscles to relax, and then carry on with your work.

Laptop Stand

When working on a laptop you need to be careful of straining your neck.  A compact and adjustable laptop stand is a handy portable unit enabling you to set your laptop screen to the correct heigh wherever you work.

The Lebloc Flat Screen riser and Ergotron MXV Monitor arm offer two ways to easily increase the height of your monitor. This will ensure you have the screen at the right height, as your eye-line should always be level with the top of the monitor.

These are just a few of our suggestions! If you suffer from hypermobility or have a member of staff with hypermobility and would like some advice please feel free to get in touch on 0330 332 0880 or leave us a message below.