Recent Articles of Interest

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 refers to an actual opening of space that's created by the wrist bone and tendons and the ligaments that are running through the underside of the wrist. Within this space is a major nerve, the median nerve, that receives signal from the brain and sends it to the hands and four of the five fingers.

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.

Choosing an 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.

In order to minimize the pressure on the carpal tunnel as well as its surrounding tendons and ligaments, some mouse pads have been designed ergonomically and these have an attached wrist rest which is filled with some type of soft material, usually a gel.

Keeping the wrist on a rigid surface exerts too much strain on the wrist which causes the median nerve to be compacted. This results in symptoms such as stinging and loss of feeling in the fingers, along with a weakened grip, soreness and inflammation.

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 should be kept at the proper height so that your arms just rest upon the desk, with your wrist on your ergonomic mouse pad, of course, and also try to keep both feet flat on the ground while working with your back straight.

Be sure to pause often. During these rest periods, stretch and flex your wrists, your hands, and each finger individually.