Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist?

[Serendipity2]

Having worked in the corporate world for the past 13 years, I have seen many office workers suffer from repetitive stress injuries – myself included (cubital tunnel syndrome). After I graduate from massage school I am considering corporate massage as a target market. I have been doing some research and have learned that one can become a certified ergonomic assessment specialist. Is there anyone here who has this certification? I’m curious if most corporations hire internal personnel to conduct ergonomic evaluations or if they hire an outside vendor. I thought perhaps I could incorporate this into my massage business by first evaluating what the worker was doing that is non-ergonomic and then developing a massage program tailored to that particular problem. I’d love to hear from anyone with experience in the area. Thanks!

 

[H-B-P]

Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist?

I'd love to be your first client LOL!
I've talked to other therapists I trade with about having them come in and evaluate my techniques as I preform a massage. As much as i try to think about maintaining good posture while working, I catch myself all the time hunched over or leaning my hip on the table. It would be nice to have a LMT ergo specialist come make adjustments to my posture!

Also~ I'd like to pick your brain about the cubital tunnel syndrome... been having pinky/ ring finger numbness/ burning for a few years off and on now. always thought it was thorasic outlet syndrome. in looking up Cubital, I have the exact symptoms, and actually my right hand has been having shooting pains from elbow to fingers for the past 3 days intermittently. How have you modified your life to aleviate your cubital tunnel syndrome?
I'd like to do something before surgery is my only option...

 

[sam e]

Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist?

My cubital tunnel syndrome was pretty extreme. From what I have heard, others have some mild symptoms and the tingling comes and goes for them before progressing into something more severe. Mine progressed into complete numbness within just a few days. My pinky and 1/2 of my ring finger were completely numb - constantly with no relief.
Since my issue was ruled as a worker's compensation case, I had to go to a couple of doctors to get different opinions. I remember one doctor asked me to bend my elbow and touch my shoulder. He told me to keep it there until he returned (about 5 minutes). By the time he returned to the examination room I was in tears from the pain. He knew the severity of my issue then. I was sent for a nerve study. This involved a series of what looked like accupunture needles placed into various places in my hand and arm. Electrical current was then run between each needle to determine if there were any issues. It was quite painful.
I took anti-inflamatory meds and wore a splint to bed that kept me from bending my arm. Neither of these helped me, so I had surgery. There are 2 types of surgery options. The first involves repositioning the nerve into the forearm portion of the arm. The second option is to leave the nerve in its normal position and decompress it by moving some of the tissue near the nerve. I had the second option.
It took nearly a year for complete relief. It takes a long time for a nerve to heal. It was difficult, but I am healed.
Now I FORCE myself to take frequent breaks from the computer. I am fortunate to work from home so often you will find me literally rolling around on the floor stretching.
Let me know if you have any other questions I can help with.