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From flooring installers to office workers, every job comes with unique ergonomic challenges, but changing how we work is often the hardest task of all. Host, Dr. Matt Jeffs, speaks with Jamie McGaha, OTR, CHT, CEAS, OTD, COMT, a licensed occupational therapist, certified hand therapist, and ergonomics expert whose career spans clinical practice, research, and consulting. Together, they explore how behavior change, not just equipment, drives lasting improvements in workplace health.
Jamie shares insights from her fieldwork across industries, from developing posture-friendly solutions for flooring installers to uncovering the hidden risks of office work. She discusses her research on thumb arthritis, the impact of smartphones and static postures, and why early education on posture and movement can prevent long-term injury. The conversation also covers the evolution of ergonomic tools, the role of AI in speeding up assessments, and the importance of tailoring solutions to the human body, not just the workspace. Tune in for practical strategies, memorable stories, and a reminder that true ergonomics starts with people.
Key Points From This Episode:
[01:03] Why behavior change is the greatest challenge in ergonomics.
Jamie reflects on how behavior change is the most persistent obstacle across industries. She explains that once past adolescence, the human brain is less adaptable, making it harder to adopt and maintain new work habits, whether in an office or on a job site.
[02:20] Unique ergonomic challenges for flooring installers.
One of Jamie’s toughest projects involved helping flooring installers avoid spending long hours on all fours, namely, the quadruped position. She notes that regional differences in materials, adhesives, and environmental factors mean solutions must be tailored for each setting.
[04:40] Why understanding the job environment is essential.
On-site observation, Jamie says, is key to capturing each job’s unique demands and worker capabilities. She recalls her work in automotive assembly, where even employees in the same role had different risk profiles due to variations in habits and physical condition. Effective solutions require tailoring to individual needs and workplace realities.
[05:40] The hidden impact of thumb use and posture.
The thumb is often overworked due to weak grip strength or poor posture, leading to basal thumb arthritis, which is one of the most limiting forms of hand arthritis. Jamie explains how most people use their thumbs incorrectly and offers strategies for reducing strain through better positioning.
[10:08] Smartphone use and its ergonomic impact.
Jamie recalls contacting ergonomist Alan Hedge during the early smartphone era to explore connections between device use and thumb overuse. While thumb data took years to emerge, neck strain showed immediate links to device posture.
[12:35] Resistance to change and the power of quick wins.
Some clients resist ergonomic advice even when faced with clear health risks, such as the worker who insisted on using a chaise lounge for 12–14 hours a day. While not everyone is willing to adapt, Jamie finds that small, immediate adjustments, like bending knees to lift or moving a keyboard closer, can deliver instant relief and often motivate people to adopt healthier habits.
[17:09] How AI and modern tools support assessments and accelerate change.
Jamie contrasts the cumbersome technology of her early career with today’s AI tools that deliver real-time analysis. These advances allow immediate adjustments, cut through data overload to target the most significant risks, and enable specialists to guide teams remotely for faster, more effective improvements.
[22:03] Different risk perceptions between office and industrial workers.
Office workers often underestimate their injury risks compared to those in more physically demanding jobs, as Jamie observes. While awareness is growing, many still overlook conditions like tennis elbow or carpal tunnel that can develop in desk-based roles.
[24:03] Why identifying root causes is key to effective ergonomics.
Through her research, Jamie has seen people blame tools or furniture for injuries rather than identifying root human-factor risks such as static posture, force, or repetition. She emphasizes that assessing job demands first is critical for effective, targeted solutions.
[26:31] Technology use and its overlooked physical toll.
Extended use of laptops, tablets, and smartphones is often not recognized as a cause of repetitive strain injuries. Jamie stresses that posture and total time on devices must be part of every ergonomic evaluation.
[27:43] Tools that reduce strain and increase buy-in.
To help prevent overuse injuries and protect small joints, Jamie recommends incorporating voice-to-text into daily workflows and alternating input methods. She also uses AI tools to capture visual evidence of posture issues or strain, giving clients instant feedback that makes it easier for them to understand and commit to change.
[32:02] Why equipment alone doesn’t guarantee good ergonomics.
Jamie stresses that true ergonomics is about the person and how they work, not just the tools they use. She recalls a client who kept a sentimental chair, and by building the setup around it, achieved a safe, comfortable solution tailored to the individual.
Quotes:
“Regardless of the area of ergonomics you're working in, one of the things that always stuck out to me when I first started was the whole concept of behavior change. It is so difficult to actually implement changes, because we are humans.” — Jamie McGaha [0:01:11]
“It is so hard to convince a human being's mind, especially once we're past adolescence and that brain is no longer plastic, to make a change and implement that change on a regular basis.” — Jamie McGaha [0:01:39]
“We all don't notice until past 40, and then those thumbs start to talk to us. And then we think, ‘Gosh, what have I done just recently?’ [but in reality], it’s been your whole life cumulatively.” — Jamie McGaha [0:07:40]
“I would typically say office workers know a little bit less about their risk factors. Most people who work in an office environment think they have a fairly safe job. They know they're not lifting and pushing and pulling things.” — Jamie McGaha [0:22:21]
“If we can't keep education in the world of ergonomics, we won't make behavior change.” — Jamie McGaha [0:31:48]
“Perfect is not a goal of mine, ever; optimal, functional, safer [is my goal].” — Jamie McGaha [0:36:04]
“If I had AI tools [earlier], then I could have implemented and trial changes sooner, because [with older technologies] we would have to take that information back, analyze it, put it through different software systems to clean it up, and then say, ‘okay, the load, the angle, or the force, is here for this worker, it's here for this worker, we'll try this one with this tool, this one with that tool’. That's a week and a half process to go trial a change and reanalyze, versus if I have something like an AI-driven or more observatory-driven type of technology tool, and I can see those things a little more quickly, [then] I can make changes right then and there.” — Jamie McGaha [0:18:04]
“I really do think that people are wholly unaware of time. The concept of total time in a task or in a posture repetition really is something we have to consider. How long are you on that phone? How long are you on that computer? How long are you in that posture? I think people don't equate those two things together. ‘Oh, it's just for a little bit of time.’ No, it's four to five hours right now.” — Jamie McGaha [0:27:17]
Links & Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
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From flooring installers to office workers, every job comes with unique ergonomic challenges, but changing how we work is often the hardest task of all. Host, Dr. Matt Jeffs, speaks with Jamie McGaha, OTR, CHT, CEAS, OTD, COMT, a licensed occupational therapist, certified hand therapist, and ergonomics expert whose career spans clinical practice, research, and consulting. Together, they explore how behavior change, not just equipment, drives lasting improvements in workplace health.
Jamie shares insights from her fieldwork across industries, from developing posture-friendly solutions for flooring installers to uncovering the hidden risks of office work. She discusses her research on thumb arthritis, the impact of smartphones and static postures, and why early education on posture and movement can prevent long-term injury. The conversation also covers the evolution of ergonomic tools, the role of AI in speeding up assessments, and the importance of tailoring solutions to the human body, not just the workspace. Tune in for practical strategies, memorable stories, and a reminder that true ergonomics starts with people.
Key Points From This Episode:
[01:03] Why behavior change is the greatest challenge in ergonomics.
Jamie reflects on how behavior change is the most persistent obstacle across industries. She explains that once past adolescence, the human brain is less adaptable, making it harder to adopt and maintain new work habits, whether in an office or on a job site.
[02:20] Unique ergonomic challenges for flooring installers.
One of Jamie’s toughest projects involved helping flooring installers avoid spending long hours on all fours, namely, the quadruped position. She notes that regional differences in materials, adhesives, and environmental factors mean solutions must be tailored for each setting.
[04:40] Why understanding the job environment is essential.
On-site observation, Jamie says, is key to capturing each job’s unique demands and worker capabilities. She recalls her work in automotive assembly, where even employees in the same role had different risk profiles due to variations in habits and physical condition. Effective solutions require tailoring to individual needs and workplace realities.
[05:40] The hidden impact of thumb use and posture.
The thumb is often overworked due to weak grip strength or poor posture, leading to basal thumb arthritis, which is one of the most limiting forms of hand arthritis. Jamie explains how most people use their thumbs incorrectly and offers strategies for reducing strain through better positioning.
[10:08] Smartphone use and its ergonomic impact.
Jamie recalls contacting ergonomist Alan Hedge during the early smartphone era to explore connections between device use and thumb overuse. While thumb data took years to emerge, neck strain showed immediate links to device posture.
[12:35] Resistance to change and the power of quick wins.
Some clients resist ergonomic advice even when faced with clear health risks, such as the worker who insisted on using a chaise lounge for 12–14 hours a day. While not everyone is willing to adapt, Jamie finds that small, immediate adjustments, like bending knees to lift or moving a keyboard closer, can deliver instant relief and often motivate people to adopt healthier habits.
[17:09] How AI and modern tools support assessments and accelerate change.
Jamie contrasts the cumbersome technology of her early career with today’s AI tools that deliver real-time analysis. These advances allow immediate adjustments, cut through data overload to target the most significant risks, and enable specialists to guide teams remotely for faster, more effective improvements.
[22:03] Different risk perceptions between office and industrial workers.
Office workers often underestimate their injury risks compared to those in more physically demanding jobs, as Jamie observes. While awareness is growing, many still overlook conditions like tennis elbow or carpal tunnel that can develop in desk-based roles.
[24:03] Why identifying root causes is key to effective ergonomics.
Through her research, Jamie has seen people blame tools or furniture for injuries rather than identifying root human-factor risks such as static posture, force, or repetition. She emphasizes that assessing job demands first is critical for effective, targeted solutions.
[26:31] Technology use and its overlooked physical toll.
Extended use of laptops, tablets, and smartphones is often not recognized as a cause of repetitive strain injuries. Jamie stresses that posture and total time on devices must be part of every ergonomic evaluation.
[27:43] Tools that reduce strain and increase buy-in.
To help prevent overuse injuries and protect small joints, Jamie recommends incorporating voice-to-text into daily workflows and alternating input methods. She also uses AI tools to capture visual evidence of posture issues or strain, giving clients instant feedback that makes it easier for them to understand and commit to change.
[32:02] Why equipment alone doesn’t guarantee good ergonomics.
Jamie stresses that true ergonomics is about the person and how they work, not just the tools they use. She recalls a client who kept a sentimental chair, and by building the setup around it, achieved a safe, comfortable solution tailored to the individual.
Quotes:
“Regardless of the area of ergonomics you're working in, one of the things that always stuck out to me when I first started was the whole concept of behavior change. It is so difficult to actually implement changes, because we are humans.” — Jamie McGaha [0:01:11]
“It is so hard to convince a human being's mind, especially once we're past adolescence and that brain is no longer plastic, to make a change and implement that change on a regular basis.” — Jamie McGaha [0:01:39]
“We all don't notice until past 40, and then those thumbs start to talk to us. And then we think, ‘Gosh, what have I done just recently?’ [but in reality], it’s been your whole life cumulatively.” — Jamie McGaha [0:07:40]
“I would typically say office workers know a little bit less about their risk factors. Most people who work in an office environment think they have a fairly safe job. They know they're not lifting and pushing and pulling things.” — Jamie McGaha [0:22:21]
“If we can't keep education in the world of ergonomics, we won't make behavior change.” — Jamie McGaha [0:31:48]
“Perfect is not a goal of mine, ever; optimal, functional, safer [is my goal].” — Jamie McGaha [0:36:04]
“If I had AI tools [earlier], then I could have implemented and trial changes sooner, because [with older technologies] we would have to take that information back, analyze it, put it through different software systems to clean it up, and then say, ‘okay, the load, the angle, or the force, is here for this worker, it's here for this worker, we'll try this one with this tool, this one with that tool’. That's a week and a half process to go trial a change and reanalyze, versus if I have something like an AI-driven or more observatory-driven type of technology tool, and I can see those things a little more quickly, [then] I can make changes right then and there.” — Jamie McGaha [0:18:04]
“I really do think that people are wholly unaware of time. The concept of total time in a task or in a posture repetition really is something we have to consider. How long are you on that phone? How long are you on that computer? How long are you in that posture? I think people don't equate those two things together. ‘Oh, it's just for a little bit of time.’ No, it's four to five hours right now.” — Jamie McGaha [0:27:17]
Links & Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode: