Awkward posture refers to positions of the body that deviate significantly from the neutral position while performing work activities. When you are in an awkward posture, muscles operate less efficiently and you expend more force to complete the task.

What causes awkward posture?

Bending or twisting during manual handling Bending or twisting while manual handling creates an awkward posture and changes the way forces are distributed in the spine.

What injury can occur if you type in an awkward position?

Muscles and tendons can become painful with repetitive movements and awkward postures. This is known as ‘overuse injury‘ and typically occurs in the elbow, wrist or hand of computer users. Symptoms of these overuse injuries include pain, swelling, stiffness of the joints, weakness and numbness.