Having just obtained my first iPhone, I’ve recently discovered podcasts. Per Wikipedia, a podcast is a series of digital audio or video files that is released periodically and made available for download by means of web syndication. The Apple iPod was the brand of portable media player for which early podcasting scripts were developed. Hence, the term “Podcast” is a combination of iPod and broadcast.

Browsing through podcast files can be a quick way to hear from experts in a variety of fields. The podcast allows access to information that may not be available elsewhere. Podcasts are usually short bursts of information that may be more enjoyable for people rather than spending longer periods of time reading from a monitor screen or a from a written journal. Or, by downloading the information, you can listen and learn during typical down times such as when driving or exercising.

These following ergonomic podcasts are all free of charge and can be down-loaded onto a computer with audio capabilities as well as onto MP3 players. Many of the websites associated with these podcasts offer printed versions of the information as well.

SpineUniverse Radio on HealthRadio.Net

• This is a series of four podcasts that covered ergonomics and back pain on April 15, 2009.
  
  • The Most Beneficial Ergonomicallly designed Products
    
  • Computer Worstations: Bad Back Traps
    
  • Mattress Basics
    
  • Ergonomics: What it is and How it affects your spine
• With guest Dr. Alan Hedge, director of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Program at Cornell University, topics discussed include tips for reducing back pain in truck drivers, the benefits (or lack of) sitting on a therapy ball versus an office chair, neck pain and headaches in a visual typist and proper workstation set-up, and how to reduce pain due to uncomfortable seating in coach class while on business trips.

The American Occupational Therapy Association

• Living Life to its Fullest Podcasts
  
• Episode 1: Ergonomics October 1, 2008
  
• Dr. Karen Jacobs, EdD, CPE, OTR/L, FAOTA, and Paul A. Fontana, OTR, FAOTA, discuss ergonomic safety tips for the home, in learning centers, during play and leisure and while on the job.

Ask the Techies

• Episode 46: Computer Use Ergonomics Episode
  
• D.Lee Beard hosts this podcast that demonstrates some equipment and strategies for reducing computer use related injuries. Reviewed in this video are the Evoluent vertical mouse, the Kinesis keyboard, and the NeutralPosture N’hancement keyboard and mouse tray.

Grand & Toy

• Little Things: Big Changes - a podcast series for small business.
  
  • Creating An Ergonomically Sound Office - July 15, 2008
    
  • Ergonomics 101 - July 1, 2008
• Guest Lucy Hart, an Ergonomist for The Global Group, participates in two podcasts and discusses how to make an office ergonomically sound and how ergonomics can affect a company’s bottom line.

Safety Podcasts

• High Tech Ergonomics – February 21, 2007
  
• Hosted by the founding principal of Crown Safety, Linda Tapp, a Certified Safety Professional, provides tips for small hand-held devices such as blackberries, cell phones and PDAs for those who use them extensively.

Marji Hajic is an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist practicing at the Hand Therapy & Occupational Fitness Center in Santa Barbara, California. For more information on hand and upper extremity injuries, prevention and recovery, visit Hand Health Resources.