Avoiding Typing Injuries

As more and more people are using computers, doctors are seeing more and more patients enduring typing injuries. Bilateral tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon, especially in the wrist and shoulder), carpal tunnel syndrome, back ache are just some of the common health issues affecting people working with computers and the keyboard. Before, these were injuries limited to secretaries. But thanks to the commercialisation of computer and the Internet, people from basically all ages and professions now have the chance of experiencing them.

These ailments can start with minor symptoms and can go from manageable to bad and bad to worse overtime. Luckily, however, these typing injuries can be treated. More so they can be prevented - but how?

It is important to remember that these injuries came about as a result of repetitive typing motion, which can injure or strain nerves, tendons and muscles. Having these injuries limit your ability to use hands for driving, doing any other activities, and most especially typing. Hence, you have to create an injury prevention plan, which is to keep your muscles, tendons and nerves from working under pressure. This can be achieved by setting up a good workstation environment and planning your work.

Setting up your workstation means that you need to adjust your computer screen to eye level, positioning your mouse and keyboard in neutral position to your wrist and arms, and adjusting your backrest to provide the right support for your spine. Planning your work, on the other hand, means that you have to schedule some breaks to avoid working straight for long hours. Give yourself at least ten minute break every hour away from your workstation. If this is impossible, constantly change position on your seat and do some stretches from time to time to relax your muscle, tendons and nerves.