Office computing is one of the most common contributors to acquiring the painful Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which could easily prevent you from further work at your job, or future jobs.
The easiest way to prevent against CTS is proper posture. Ensuring you are positioned properly while using the computer is critical: the monitor should be just over two feet away to prevent eye strain, and the keyboard should be flat, rather than slanted up or down.
- Keeping your wrists and forearms parallel to the ground, and your elbows bent at perfect right angles. These positions will put your body in a more/less "neutral" position and prevent damage from awkward positioning.
- Wrists should never be rested upon any rest-pads while working, holding them approximately half an inch above the rest pad is optimal. Wrists should be rested on the pads when not typing.
- Your chair is in the right position when you have right angles with your knees-to-the-floor, and your feet rest flat upon the ground.
- Take frequent breaks. Frequent breaks are better than infrequent long breaks, giving your body the ability to quickly heal microtears in the tissues.
- You know your chair is the perfect height if you can sit at your computer with your knees bent at right angles and your feet flat on the floor.
Showing signs of Carpal Tunnel? See a doctor! If you're seeing any form of decreased hand mobility, strength or colouring, or any form of aching or discomfort you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, and as such should immediately see a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a cortisone injection, or if serious enough, a carpal tunnel release: a type of surgery designed to trim down the inflammation of the carpal tunnel.
