According to Webster's Dictionary, here is the formal definition:

er-go-nom-ics n. The applied science of equipment design in order to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort.

In more common terms, ergonomics is the study of the human body and how easy or difficult it is to use tools and equipment in our daily lives. The goal of ergonomics is to make the use of equipment safe and strain free.

At Contour Design, we concern ourselves with human interaction with computers and how to input data and commands into a computer without the risk of injury from either improper posture or repetitive tasks over time. We desire to have anyone who uses a computer maintain proper postures and work habits that eliminate the risk of Repetitive Strain Injuries.

When it comes to computer workstations, either in an office setting or at home, applied ergonomics needs to be a "floor to ceiling" solution. Ergonomics involves most of your body, specifically your eyes, neck, shoulders, back, arms, wrists, fingers, legs and feet.

With so much to consider, we have assembled a list of guidelines for the proper set up of a computer workstation and the proper alignment of the parts of your body mentioned above:

1. Rest your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest. The proper foot position allows your knee and hip to be at the same height, so there is less strain on your thighs. The proper foot position also sets the base for proper back posture. Make certain that both the heel and ball of you foot are on the floor and you are not "reaching" for the floor with your foot.
2. Adjust the "seat pan" of your chair so only one to three inches of your leg is not supported by the chair. You should support more than 2/3 of your thighs with the chair, without allowing the front edge of the seat to touch the inside of your knee.
3. Adjust the lumbar support on the back of your chair to the proper height in order to support your backbone just above your hips. Ensure that the lumbar support is high enough to support the curvature of you back just above your hips. If the support is too low, it may fool you since there is contact with your lower back just behind the hips, but the flexible vertebrae above can arch backwards and lead to pain and discomfort.
4. Adjust any chair armrests such that your elbows are at a 90 degree angle, and do not lift your shoulders. Proper armrest height will allow the shoulders to relax. If set too high, armrests can lift the shoulders and lead to pain and discomfort.
5. Align the height of the typing surface so the elbows are at a 90 degree angle and you are not reaching up or down to use the keyboard. The "floor to ceiling" alignment for ergonomics builds from the feet and chair positioning and should result in the proper height to manipulate the keyboard and mouse. If the desk height is too high, you tend to bend your wrists improperly. An adjustable height keyboard can allow you to keep your forearms parallel to the floor and eliminate the need to bend your wrists in order to type. Height adjustable desks can also help alleviate this challenge.
6. Position the mouse so it is next to the keyboard. Any excess reaching for the mouse, either to the side or above the keyboard, can lead to shoulder and neck pain. The mouse should be at the same height of the keyboard. Avoid placing the mouse on the desktop if you have a keyboard tray underneath the desk. Forward "over reaching" can lead neck and shoulder pain.
7. Position your monitor in the center of your body, one arm's length away. Your monitor should be placed so you do not have to twist or bend you neck to read. The top of the monitor should be almost at eye level or just above. You should be able to move your eyes to read without moving your neck. If you are using dual monitors, they should be right next to each other with the adjacent edges in the center of your field of view. Bifocal wearers should lower their monitors so they do not have to bend their next back to see through the bottom of their glasses.
8. Use your mouse properly, without gripping, curling your fingertips or pivoting your wrist. Avoid resting your wrist while manipulating the mouse. Try to keep your forearm bones in a straight line with your wrist bones, slightly elevating your wrist off of the working surface. Avoid bending your wrist up or down or from side to side while using the mouse. Use large "full forearm" movements to move the mouse. You should also avoid clutching the mouse, which can cause Carpal Tunnel Strain. It is preferred to use extended fingers to activate mouse clicks rather than drawing your fingertips backward to push the buttons.
9. Avoid sitting and performing repetitive tasks for long periods of time. Get up and move around twice an hour at least. Work standing up if you have a height adjustable desk. Walk around, stretch, stimulate blood flow to keep yourself productive and safe.

The basics listed above can go a long way in keeping you safe while using your computer. For a number of visual guides and more in-depth information, try searching for "Ergonomic Self Assessment" on the internet.