Recruiting a co-worker for habit changes
In today’s working world, more of us are spending hours at our desks, fully immersed in our tasks—whether typing away at emails, attending remote video meetings, or deep in the creative zone. While this focus can help us meet deadlines and goals, it often comes at a cost: poor posture, repetitive strain, and ergonomic oversight. At Katherine Jackson Occupational Therapy, PLLC, we’re passionate about proactive strategies that support your upper extremity health, posture, and well-being.
One simple, empowering tool you can adopt right now is the use of an “ergo buddy.”
What’s an Ergo Buddy?
An ergo buddy is a trusted co-worker or friend in your workplace who can help you become more aware of your posture and workstation habits. The idea is simple but powerful: while you’re working naturally and deeply focused on a task, your ergo buddy discreetly takes photos of you in your usual working position—no posing, no adjusting.
This candid snapshot of your posture is a goldmine of ergonomic data.
Why It Works
We often don’t notice our body’s positioning during the day. You may feel “fine” until the familiar tension in your neck or tingling in your hands sets in by afternoon. These subtle shifts and slouches, accumulated over time, can lead to strain injuries, especially in the shoulders, wrists, and spine.
By analyzing photos of your natural posture, you can begin to notice things like:
- Are your shoulders creeping up toward your ears?
- Is your head jutting forward to meet the screen?
- Are your wrists angled awkwardly while typing?
- Is your chair height appropriate for your desk?
These seemingly small details can have a big impact over time. With this visual feedback, you can begin to build awareness, which is the first and most essential step toward making sustainable ergonomic changes.
How to Use an Ergo Buddy Effectively
- Choose someone you trust.
- Pick a co-worker who understands the intent and can give honest, respectful help.
- Ask them to take photos at different times, in your different work spaces.
- Get images while you’re typing, using a mouse, or reading. The goal is to capture unconscious habits, not staged perfection. The photos will not be posted on social media feeds, they are for your use only.
- Review the photos together if you both have time.
- Discuss what looks misaligned or strained. Your buddy might notice something you don’t.
Compare before and after.
Make changes, such as adjusting chair or monitor height, adding a footrest, or consciously working on your posture and take follow-up photos to evaluate improvement.
Need Help Interpreting What You See?
At Katherine Jackson Occupational Therapy, PLLC, we specialize in upper extremity rehabilitation and can provide professional insight into what your posture might be telling you. Whether you’re managing discomfort or proactively adjusting your workspace, we’re here to help.
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait for pain to tell you something’s off. Enlist your ergo buddy and get curious about your own habits. A small moment of awareness now could mean a big difference in your health later.
Empowerment starts with awareness—and sometimes, a well-timed photo.
Interested in an ergonomic assessment or upper extremity consultation?
Reach out:
Flourish Recovery & Wellness 