Friday, May 28, 2010

Repetative Strain Injuries.


Wrist and elbow injuries….
Even with companies focusing more and more on reduction of workplace injuries, there is still an epidemic of wrist and elbow injuries out there.  They range from carpal tunnel syndrome to lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and many of them are directly related to the amount of time people spend typing and mousing. 
Some simple recommendations to reduce the chance of ending up with one of these injuries include:
-          Don’t spend more than an hour at your computer without getting up to move around.
-          Use these small breaks as opportunities to stretch frequently, especially the muscles of the shoulder, elbow and wrist.
-          If you haven’t already done so, have an ergonomic assessment done on your work station.  Sometimes a simple change in height of your monitor or keyboard can make a big difference in the reduction of stress on your body.
-      If you do experience any pain, see my post on Hot vs. Cold therapy
If you’ve been thinking about getting a new mouse,  look at buying a ‘gaming mouse’, such as the Logitech G5 (they cost around $65 Cdn).  No one spends more time on a computer than hardcore computer gaming enthusiasts, and they are very picky about the gear they use.  The G5 puts the hand in a relaxed biomechanical positions and it’s sensitivity allows effortless movements of the cursor.

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