Beyond the Chair: Why January Discomfort Isn’t Always a Workstation Problem

By: Nichola Adams

We are heading towards the end of January, and we’re already getting familiar messages from our clients’ employees:
“I’ve been back less than four weeks and my back is killing me”
“Everything aches and I can’t focus”

As ergonomists, we understand the first instinct is to check the workstation. But here’s what 20+ years has taught me: the answer is rarely just about the chair.

The Biopsychosocial Reality

When someone reports January discomfort, three dimensions are almost always at play:

Biological

• Seasonal light deficiency affecting posture and energy
• Movement pattern disruption from the Christmas break
• Cold weather compensation – tensing against the elements
• Workstation amnesia – returning to poor postural habits

Psychological

• Q1 target pressure creating time scarcity
• Post-holiday financial anxiety as physical tension
• Performance review stress increasing muscle tension
• Dark commute fatigue depleting mental resources

Social

• Reduced social interaction creating isolation
• Hybrid working intensifying disconnection
• Managers in “heads down” mode with fewer check-ins
• Weather-restricted movement reducing stress relief

The Answer Is Usually: All Three

Last week, our platform flagged high-risk scores for a legal firm employee reporting pain across multiple areas, blaming their chair.

The 1:1 DSE assessment revealed:

Biological: Poor workstation setup + detrimental behaviours
Psychological: Intense deadline stress, excessive hours
Social: New to team, unable to ask for support

Our approach:

• Education on workstation adjustment using GROW coaching (no new chair needed!)
• Facilitated manager conversation about workload
• Established buddy system and structured breaks
• Signposted to EAP programme

Three Questions for Your Organisation

1. “Show me your setup” Has anything changed since Christmas?
2. “What’s your workload like?” Are Q1 targets realistic? Can they take breaks?
3. “How connected do you feel?” Working alone more? Comfortable asking for support?

Critical insight: If #1 is “fine” but #2 and #3 show issues – you’re addressing workload and culture challenges manifesting as pain.

Why This Matters

MSK disorders and stress account for the majority of sick leave. Most organisations address these separately – equipment for physical, EAPs for mental. But they’re inseparable.
The most effective intervention addresses all three dimensions simultaneously. We are complex beings and curiosity into the real underlying causes needs to drive our approach.