Yoga For Computer Related Health Hazards



Posted: Wednesday, November 17, 2004

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http://www.geocities.com/manojrieneke/Research.html

Extensive and prolonged use of computers at the work place and at home today, have given rise to a range of health complaints, called computer related health problems. There are three broad categories of health problems, viz, visual, musculoskeletal, and mental stress. The reasons for these problems are repetitive activities (e.g., data entry using the keyboard), prolonged periods looking at the monitor (Visual Display Terminal), working with intense mental concentration, or alternatively, long periods of monotonous tasks.

Visual Problems: Eye problems are the single most complaint in those who use computer terminals for long, uninterrupted periods. There are three possible factors responsible for this high prevalence of visual complaints:

1. The nature of VDT displays

2. The work station design, and

3. The way that the VDTs are used, or the working practices

In many cases the eye problems reported by VDT users are a natural consequence of the way the eyes have been used. Working at a VDT involves sustained accommodation and vergence and most tasks involve a high degree of cognitive 3effort. Poor work station design, inadequate provision for breaks and a stressful environment, often compound the problem and lead to complaints by individuals who are normally asymptomatic. Likewise, small refractive errors and oculomotor problems may only cause symptoms under the demanding conditions of sustained VDT use. It was found that visual exercise routines which include blinking and focusing the eyes on distant objects, may be helpful.

Musculoskeletal pain: There is an increase in work-related musculoskeletal problems, especially neck and shoulder pain. Long periods of sitting also contribute to this. Especially it was found that sitting more than five hours continuously at a VD unit key board increases the chances of pain in the neck and shoulders. This has resulted in a good deal of effort being focused on the ergonomic design of offices. Psychosocial factors have also contributed to this problem. Most common stressors are work load, pace, lack of control over work activities, monotony, and job dissatisfaction producing physiologic stress reaction. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common complication of repetitive activities and causes significant morbidity.

Mental Stress: Computer technology places new demands on people. Some persons may experience difficulties in dealing with demands and may experience stress. This type of stress has been called “Technostress". Technostress is a modern disease of adaptation caused by on inability to cope with new computer technologies in a healthy manner. This technostress would be further aggravated by rapid pace of work required, deadlines, and general work pressure.



Concept of stress according to yoga:

Yoga is an ancient Indian Science and a way of living has understood the concept of stress better. There are numerous techniques yoga offer to reduce stress of any kind (in this case related to computer health hazards) because stress is individualistic in nature, thus yoga too has individual approach to manage stress.

According to ancient texts Yoga has many definitions. One of the definitions says that yoga is a subtle process of calming the mind by removing the afflictions of the mind. These afflictions are delusion, identification with self (ego), attachment, hatred and act of clinging. These five things lead to mental stress and inevitably every one are succumbed to these afflictions and hence suffering with various stress related disorders.

Yoga practice has been shown to be useful in improving vision, reducing musculoskeletal complaints, and well known to reduce mental stress.

Objectives of Yoga practices:

Breathing exercises: Correction of abnormalities of breathing such as, rate, rhythm, phase durations, depth and types of breathing. Quietening the mind.

Exercises for joints: To reduce musculoskeletal tone, reduce stiffness of joints, better mobility/flexibility, reduce muscular fatigue, better postural endurance, modify dynamic circulation, increase overall relaxation.

Eye exercises: To reduce strain of extra orbital muscles, reduce incidence of tension headache, improve visual perception, facilitate eye hand coordination, better lacrimation of eyes

Other practices include ‘cyclic meditation’ and relaxation techniques for relaxation at various levels and for overall relaxation.

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