Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a “painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist” (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, www.ninds.nig.gov). Symptoms usually start gradually and include pain, weakness, or numbness in the fingers, hand, and/or wrist, radiating up the arm. As the condition worsens, people may experience tingling, decreased grip strength. While CTS occurs most commonly in people with a congenital predisposition, there is a risk of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by those working in assembly line work or in a job that requires long periods of repetitious movements, such as typing on a keyboard or cutting hair.
While there exists no single way of prevention, there are many things that can lower a person’s risk of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Performing daily exercises that strengthen the fingers, wrists, forearms, and hands, and wearing a hand brace at night or when experiencing pain during the day can all help reduce the risk. Taking short breaks at work or during times of extended repetitive motions involving the hands.
However, the key cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is poor posture, it is therefore important to arrange your office and/or workspace ergonomically to allow the body to work in a neutral position to reduce stress and unnaturally body positions that put pressure on the nerves, muscles, and bones. Find an ergonomic chair with proper lower back support and position the chair to an appropriate height in relation to the desk and user’s height. A keyboard should be place close enough that a person can comfortably use it while keeping their spine against the back of their chair, the shoulders should be relaxed and the elbow close to the body. The key to preventing CTS is to ensure that the wrists are straight while using the keyboard to prevent pressure on the nerves. “If the office furniture is not ergonomic then it may lead to improper posture, which ultimately [may] lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome” (http://www.safecomputingtips.com/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-preventions.html).
Author Amy Pedersen has worked in the ergonomics and office industry for a number of years and is currently co-founder of Sit On This Ergonomics, operating a number of ergonomic websites dedicated to office chairs and the practice of good workplace ergonomics. Featuring a wide variety of executive, leather, mesh and task office chairs with an online sales catalog, their website also provides detailed ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating in the workplace environment.
Sit On This Ergonomics:
http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics
More Ergonomic Info:
http://stores.ebay.com/Sit-On-This-Ergonomics/Ergonomic-Positioning-Explained.html
