December 13, 2009

Working Smartly - Reducing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If your job requires that you spend a lot of time sitting at the computer, and of course, using a keyboard and mouse, then you probably already know of the strain and stress that this can put on both the wrist and the hands day in and day out. As technology continues to advance making our lives easier and more efficient, more and more of us are spending large amounts of time at the computer, but unfortunately as a result, we are suffering from the all too common condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS as well as other repetitive stress injuries.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be thought of as a comparatively recent health issue; yet in reality it has been around a long time, however it has just lately earned more attention since computers have largely taken a role in our daily routines.

To understand the great difference an ergonomically designed mouse pad can make when dealing with the pain and discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome, we must first learn about this delicate area of the wrist that the condition was named after.

The carpal tunnel is actually a void created by ligaments, tendons and bone that are located along the bottom of the wrist. Within that void, a major nerve relays signals that it has received from the brain to the hands and fingers. This nerve is called the median nerve.

When excess pressure is put on this area, or it becomes irritated due to overuse or the use of repetitive straining motions, fluid builds up causing swelling and inflammation, as well as pain.

Selecting the Perfect Ergonomic Mouse Pad

The ergonomic mouse pad has dual functions. One is to provide cushion to the wrist and the carpal tunnel inside the wrist, the other is to keep the wrist and hand in their most natural position. While standing, the wrist and hand hang down in the direction of the body at an angle, thus, when seated, we must try to make sure our hands and wrists are permitted to be in their most relaxed position.

A number of ergonomic mouse pads are made with wrist rests which have a pliable, spongy, gel-like material inside. This lessens the force against the carpal tunnel and its supporting tendons and ligaments.

Keeping the wrist on a hard surface puts far too much pressure on this wrist causing the median nerve to be compressed, which in turn causes symptoms like tingling and numbness in the fingers to occur, as well as a weakened grip, loss of feeling, and pain and swelling.

Anyone who has a mouse pad filled with a pliant, spongy material still ought to become accustomed to placing the rim of his or her palm upon the wrist rest instead of putting all their weight on the middle of the wrist.

Also, when using your ergonomic mouse pad, you must make sure that the rest of your work station is ergonomically correct as well otherwise you won't be making full use of the mouse pad's special design.

Your chair must be at the right height so your arms just rest on the desk, with the wrist on an ergonomic mouse pad, certainly, and you must also try to keep both your feet flat on the ground while you work with a straight back.

Remember to take frequent breaks, stretching the wrists, hands, and fingers on a regular basis.