Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Tips For Typists

Do you have wrist, hand and arm pain from typing? Here’s how to make your computer fit YOU.

We are all built differently and have different needs.  Some people have longer arms or short upper arms.  We have longer torsos or shorter necks.

We are near-sighted or far-sighted or wear bifocals.

Since we are not “one size fits all” sometimes we just have to

figure out what works for each of us.  There are very few “one size fits all” pieces of ergonomic  furniture so trial and error might be the best way to create a workstation that works well for YOU.

Here’s something that works well for me.

My computer sits on a table that is a good high height but I place my monitor on a stack of books.  It brings the monitor right in front of my face so I can see it easily and keep my neck in neutral.  I don’t have to tilt my chin up or down.  That makes my neck happy.

But what about my hands?  How can I type with the keyboard on that high table?

I can’t.

But, with the length of my upper arms I can place the keyboard on my lap.  That positions my arms comfortably and lets me type with straight wrists and slightly open elbows.

Other options would be to put the keyboard on a separate, lower table; to use a pull-out drawer; to pull out a drawer if you have a desk and place a flat surface on it for your mouse; or to use a padded lap board to raise your keyboard a few more inches from your thighs.

If your monitor is too low, you can raise it with books or boxes.  Just make sure it’s stable and secure.

Here is the position that helps prevent carpal tunnel pain:

• Straight wrists–neither tilted up nor down.
• Elbows close to your body.  Arms dropping straight down from your shoulders.  Open 90 degrees or slightly more.
• Comfortable seat with a back rest.  Use a rolled towel behind your waist.
• Elbows, hips and knees at 90 degree (right) angles.  Use a foot rest if your seat ends up being too high for your feet to be flat on the floor.
• Monitor in front of your eyes so you can look straight into it.

If you wear bifocals, here are tips just for you.

There is a type of half-glasses that fit over your own glasses and “fix” your vision.  They are available at some eye doctor’s offices and are called PC Peekers.

Get a prescription for glasses specifically for computer viewing.  They will be single vision lenses that you will only wear at the computer.  You can also use them for other work that’s about a half-arm-length away.

When you work in an ergonomic, neutral position you will have less pain in your hands, wrists and arms. And all over!

Take it from The Pain Relief Coach!  Here’re some of the places you can find more natural pain relief from me:  KathrynMerrow