Avoid Strain Injuries When Using Clinical Microscopes
It’s true. If you work behind a desk all day, you are prone to strain injuries. Even more if you are working with clinical microscopes. Scientists who use clinical microscopes on a daily basis usually suffer from strain injuries. In fact, they are regulars of the said injury that a number of them suffer from recurring episodes.
A chair can help
Some believe that by having the perfect chair, it will lessen the strain injury. Truth is, it may or may not help. When one uses a clinical microscope, he is crouched all day and peering into that eyepiece. The position strains his eyes, neck and back, sometimes even his wrists.
It does help to have an ergonomic chair with nice features. Just make sure that the chair has enough lumbar support. It does not completely eradicated the strain injury but it does help the scientist in positioning himself properly as he goes about his daily routine.
Using clinical microscopes often put unhealthy amount of strains on the back, shoulders and even the arms. At least, with an ergonomic chair, the scientist can relax his back. He just has to check that he has the budget for it because they cost around $1800 – sometimes even more.
It’s all about time and exercise
Another way to lessen strain from using the cordless microscope is to less the amount of time using it. Any doctor will suggest any patient that if he has been peering through that eyepiece for over two hours, he should take a break. It is advised that the scientist stretch and even go out for walks. These activities help in repairing the muscles that have been damaged from bad posture.
For those whose work evolve around the clinical microscope, the repetitive position of strain in the muscles can be balanced when the body is repaired every chance the person gets. The body can be relieved from stress through the activities mentioned earlier.
Do not dismiss the pain
Some people dismiss the pain, shrugging it off because they think that it will not lead to serious damages in the future. Well, they should think again, especially if the stress injuries keep coming back.
One must not push his muscles as if there was no tomorrow. There have been reports of a syndrome called ‘foot drop’ which is rooted from stress injuries. This is when the person drags his foot as he walks. Because the muscles from the other parts of his body have been strained, the veins connected to his feet were also affected.
Pointers on lessening stress injuries
1. Before you settle down on your workplace, you have to analyze your surroundings. Make sure that the cordless microscope is at the proper level that will allow you to position your eyes, back, neck and arms with less strain possible. Check to see that your chair supports your lower spine. When you are sitting down, remember to fix the posture because this will decrease cumulative trauma injury. You should also take frequent breaks.
2. Try to time how long you are able to stay in a position. Check how long you can sustain the contraction of your muscles in that position. You can take quick breaks for at most 10 minutes by dropping your arms to the side then gently shake your hands. You can also drop your head for a couple of seconds then move it side-to-side. It also helps to do some desk exercises. These will save you from the recurring stress injuries that should be avoided.
3. You can prep your muscles up by exercising on a daily basis. It may only take 30 minutes but that half-hour can already do miracles. Drink lots of water, have a daily dosage of multivitamins and eat healthy. This lifestyle will repair the muscles that have been contracted due to the tightness, pain and discomfort of looking through a clinical microscope all day.
4. You should also let your eyes rest by looking away from the specimen that you are observing through the eyepiece. A headset is advisable in order for you to wedge it between your shoulder and your ears. You should also keep objects you need at arm’s length so you do not have to over-extend your arm. Document holders prevent you from craning your neck too. These little things can help you lessen the strain.
Most importantly, the minute you feel that there is pain, do not ignore it. If any part of your body is experiencing discomfort, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
