In the ideal situation, an individual that spends their 9 to 5 job working in front of a computer will have a perfectly set up work station.

They would have changed their office chair, to an ergonomic chair that provides features to prevent ailments. The armrests would offer proper support, the lumbar region would not be put under any stress and the backrest would be properly adjusted to maintain the integrity of a healthy spine.

The individual would also have an ergonomic keyboard that provides zoom features, short cut keys and padded hand rests to aid in painful wrist sensations. Finally, this person would be working with a computer that doesn’t increase straining of the eyes to focus on the screen and adequate lighting in their work environment. To complete the design of an ergonomic work place, you will want to consider using an ergonomic mouse to avoid injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic back pain.

Most ergonomic mice are pretty inexpensive, when compared to the health benefits you can receive from the absence of straining your hands and wrist. Newer styles involve the gripping of the entire hand to use the mouse and roller technology that involves more use of the fingers to navigate through pages, rather than the wrist. Hold the mouse gently, whatever the shape it may take, and glide it over the surface without putting too much strain on your wrist. Because the mouse is designed in a way with ergonomic precision, there is no need to flick the mouse with your wrist. You may notice that these products are sensitive to quick touch so play with the mouse a bit to gauge how much movement you will really need to put in place while using it. Controlled movements are key to protect your hand, as well as productivity with your job responsibilities.

While sitting back in your chair, relax your arms and lift the hand that will be using the ergonomic mouse up until the hand is just above elbow level. The mouse should be placed exactly where your hand falls to avoid any strain. The mouse pad should be positioned one to two inches above the keyboard and over the numeric keypad if you are right handed. Keep in mind that you can position the mouse and pad anywhere, so long as your wrist is in a neutral position. Also remember that any extra pressure near the wrist will disrupt circulation of the blood, which may lead to other injuries. Avoid wearing tight sleeves, watches or other types of jewelry to maintain the comfort of your hands and wrists throughout the day.

Medical research has been conducted to notify office workers that using a wrist rest can actually double the amount of pressure inside the carpal tunnel. If you have specific questions about the ergonomic mouse you plan to use as part of your ergonomic office design, you can contact your general physician or even the manufacturer of the mouse about health precautions and benefits you should take into consideration.

There are many industries where employees notice body pains and back injuries because of the type of work they endure. Whether you work in an industrial warehouse, or are a magazine editor of a national publication, today’s work responsibilities and deadlines are becoming more strenuous and fast-paced. At the same time, there are repetitive strain injuries (RSI) that affect a bounty of people in the labor and office work environments.

Repetitive strain injuries are mostly caused by making the same movements over and over again as part of the responsibilities and duties of a particular job. It is unbelievable how the overuse of a simple motion can put a toll on particular parts of your body. Here is a compilation of various repetitive strain injuries that can affect your body’s health.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most recognized of the RSI types. This syndrome progresses when the median nerve inside of the wrist becomes compressed, usually as a result of strenuous movements or poor posture. The person suffering from CTS will experience numbness as part of the first symptoms. Genetics, poor working conditions and previous medical problems are often a cause of CTS.

Tendonitis is another common RSI that can affect many different parts of the body. This injury transpires when a tendon becomes inflamed. Common cases of tendonitis occur in the hips, knees, shoulders, wrists, ankles, legs, arms and elbow. Sport enthusiasts are a common sufferer of tendonitis because of the amount of strain the body goes through. The Achilles tendon is another part of the body that is commonly affected with this syndrome.

Symptoms include pain of the area, stiffness near the tendon, or a burning feeling surrounding the affected joint. There are widely used treatments that one can use to aid their ailments. One can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, braces on the limbs and get some rest to treat their symptoms. Full recovery can be expected within four to six weeks.

Tenosynovitis is a RSI that is similar to tendonitis. Those suffering with tenosynovitis acquire an inflammation of the sheath that surrounds the tendon. The most common cases of tenosynovitis occur within the fingers. Symptoms include a limited range of motion with the fingers and may experience a cracking experience when they try to straighten their fingers.

De Quervain’s syndrome is a repetitive strain injury of the tunnel that surrounds the two tendons that control the movement of the thumb. These two tendons are of the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus muscles. These muscles have similar functions and allow for the movement of the thumb away from the hand. The cause of this syndrome is not known, but some people claim that repetitive use of the thumb is a contributing factor. Symptoms of De Quervain include tenderness, pain and swelling over the side of the wrist where the thumb is attached to. This syndrome is more common in women.

If you practice repetition in movements in your workplace, look out for these symptoms and pains so you don’t find yourself with these repetitive strain injuries. Practice better posture and consider the use of ergonomic and stretch or take breaks each hour while working to prevent eye strain, back pain and more serious injuries.