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Muscular Skeletal Disease, repetitive motion injury, carpal tunnel—what
ever you call it, sitting at a computer all day doing the same thing
without moving around can result in short term pain or long term injury.
The University of Montana has a program that may be able to help.
First, you should visit the UM Ergonomics
website at http://www.umt.edu/research/eh/ergo.htm
Here you will finda variety of information designed to help
you evaluate your own workstation, learn some simple exercises
and more.
You can contact Kay Altenhofen at 243-2881 or Kay.Altenhofen@mso.umt.edu
to request an on site ergonomics evaluation. Often, reconfiguring
your existing workstation will be all that is needed.
If you feel your signs and symptoms are
related to your work, you may file a worker’s compensation
first report of injury by contacting Angus McPherson at
242-2842 or Angus.McPherson@mso.umt.edu.
You can file online by going to the work
comp section for the necessary forms. Filing a first
report is necessary if you think you may have medical expenses
or lose time away from work due to a work related injury
or disease. If your signs and symptoms have persisted for
more than two weeks, you have tried adjusting your work
station and still feel you are having an unacceptable level
of discomfort, you may be a candidate for a visit with a
physical therapist.
The Physical Therapy Department has agreed to perform an initial evaluation
and one follow-up visit if necessary for employees who may have repetitive
motion problems. Individuals seen by the physical therapist may be referred
to an outside physician for medical care if signs and symptoms are advanced.
Prior to visiting the physical therapist, you must have filed a first
report of injury and confer with Angus McPherson who may recommend a workstation
evaluation. If the work station configuration is in part responsible for
the condition, treatment alone will not help.
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