Typing- A Pain in the Wrist
Most would believe that typing is a fairly low-risk activity for injury, but in reality, typing can cause some physical problems that can be annoying at best and that end in surgery at worst. The expansion in technology and computer use only continues to make the number of these injuries soar. So here we have provided more information about typing-related injuries for you.
Repetitive stress injuries are the most common ones related to typing. These injuries are caused by a person making the same movement over and over. Typing on a regular keyboard can lead to a repetitive stress injury and can bring on pain, numbness, or a cold sensation in the fingers or hand.
Keyboards usually aren't designed for proper hand placement. When using a normal keyboard, the hands are flat and placed palm down. The wrist is often in an awkward position and therefore prevents one from reaching every key sufficiently. Both of these positions (ulnar deviation and forearm pronation) are unnatural and awkward and lead to repetitive stress injuries. Whats more, the outside weaker fingers are overworked because of the standard key layout (QWERTY).
On it's own, the keyboard isnt really enough to create major bodily injury. However, combined with posture and mouse use, the problem can be increase and the result is wrist damage. The problem is solved when typists place their keyboard exactly in front of them, and make certain that the forearm position, from fingertips to elbow, creates a 90-degree angle. The keyboard should be as flat as possible, not tilted. Sitting erect with feet touching the ground and relaxing the shoulders is the proper position to avoid typing injuries.
Symptoms of a repetitive stress injury will occur in the hands or arms, and often signs include soreness or an ache, a tingling or numb sensation, swelling, burning, or a sharp pain. One could have these symptoms in the fingers, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, or shoulder. A problem less commonly related to typing, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, will include numbness, tingling, and pain during the night while one is trying to sleep. The first response an individual should have to any symptoms is rest. One should also discontinue typing if the symptoms reappear during typing if one gets to this point, medical attention is needed.
If you are feeling healthy and spry today, why not visit the About Us page on this site and take a quick typing test!
Chris Dunn manages a medical transcription business that sponsors Free-Typing-Test.com.
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