Lifestyle

Looking after your physical health as a uni staff member

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NU Moves massage

Did you know that there is a physiotherapy clinic on campus? NU Moves Physiotherapy offers discounts to all uni staff members. It is important to us to help keep UoN staff healthy and active. If you are in pain see a physio today.

Our physios at NU Moves have post-graduate qualifications in manual therapy; exercise prescription; expert clinical problem solving; and clinical research. We undertake a thorough assessment to determine the cause of your pain and an appropriate treatment plan to suit your goals. All of our treatments sessions are one-on-one. Whether you wish to be pain free while sitting at work, or staying active through exercise – NU Moves can help.

NU Moves are familiar with the workplace demands that at times are associated with prolonged sitting, increased stress and not enough time to exercise. All of these factors contribute to pain. A good start is to make time for your daily dose of physical activity every day. Another method of relieving pain associated with stress or muscle tension is massage. Manual therapy from a physio involves massage of varying types; joint mobilisation (gentle form of manipulation) and stretches. You may also be helped via advice around posture or your computer and work station ergonomic set-up.

NU Moves Physiotherapy also performs dry needling, orthotic prescription, bracing / splinting, exercise and gym programming, and work specific functional rehabilitation.
To book an appointment with NU Moves call 4921 6879.

Finding Balance in your Life

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balanceAs physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, we help people address the neuro-musculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, bones and joints) of the body with physical exercise strategies. This is reliant on a person getting involved with our recommended strategies and advice. The biggest barrier to not getting involved is time available and prioritising. Even when it actually makes us feel better to go for a walk or do a stretch, the time available often gets in the road.

Physical balance is similar to nutrition advice. We know a balanced diet will make you feel better – so will finding a balance in exercise and movement. This balance changes throughout each week, month and year of our life but keeping a routine amount of the right type of activity for you will increase your feeling of well-being and reduce the risk of many health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Most commonly it is too much sitting and not enough out of the chair activity that creates problems. Other times it is too much running and not enough recovery.

The message we commonly convey to our clients is:

Why do you exercise, why don’t you exercise, how much activity do you do, how does the activity levels weigh up against the amount you sit? The body will respond to the loads you put on it; similarly it will respond to what you eat and how much stress you are under.

Find the balance:

Consider what activity makes you feel good and write down a plan to achieve it. There is no better time to do it than today! Remember, it’s not always about doing more – some of you will be overdoing exercise for your own reasons – in this case finding the balance might be going for a swim or a walk instead of a run.

Ergonomics: Getting your study space right

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Ergonomics: Get Your Study Space Right

How do you sit at your computer? Does it ever lead to pain? If you study or work in an office, read on to learn how you can setup your workstation ergonomically. Ergonomics refers to the design or arrangement of a workstation to suit the user.

Commonly affected areas due to poor workstation setup are the shoulders and neck, wrist, and elbows. Practicing good ergonomics can reduce pain and discomfort.

5 Tips to Setup an Ergonomic Workstation

ergonomics_guide

  1. The chair should have a backrest (lumbar support).
  1. Adjust the chair height (desk should be at elbow level when sitting upright).
  1. Use a footstool if feet are off the ground.
  1. Adjust monitor so the top is at eye level.
  1. The keyboard and mouse need to be within reach, keeping elbows by your side. (Don’t reach out.)

  Laptops and tablets don’t allow for good ergonomics because they tend to pull your shoulders and neck downward. The keyboard and screen need to be separated. Get yourself a wireless keyboard and mouse and put the laptop up at the correct height (either on a docking station or even just a stack of books). This will help you maintain good posture.

Try not to sit at your computer desk for long periods of time. Setting up your workstation correctly takes only minutes to do, is not expensive, and means you’ll have a better study or work experience.