
Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment A-11
Use a timer or reminder software to remind you to
take breaks.
To enhance blood circulation, alter your sitting posture
periodically and keep your hands and wrists warm.
PREEXISTING CONDITIONS
AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS
Preexisting conditions that may cause or make some people
more susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders include the
following: hereditary factors, vascular disorders, obesity,
nutritional deficiencies (e.g., Vitamin B deficiency),
endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes), hormonal imbalances,
connective tissue disorders (e.g., arthritis), prior trauma
(to the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back, or legs),
prior musculoskeletal disorders, aging, fluid retention due to
pregnancy, poor physical conditioning and dietary habits,
and other conditions.
Psychosocial factors associated with these disorders include:
workplace stress, poor job satisfaction, lack of support by
management, and/or lack of control over one’s work.
Contact a doctor if you experience pain, tenderness,
swelling, burning, cramping, stiffness, throbbing, weakness,
soreness, tingling and/or numbness in the hands, wrists,
arms, shoulders, neck, back, and/or legs.