Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and other painful office-related injuries can reduce productivity and hamper your business. But they can be prevented.
Jane Sleeth, a physiotherapist and ergonomic consultant based in Toronto, knows people who have been forced to change their careers as a result of severe workplace injuries, including CTS.
The carpal tunnel is a passage in the wrist that is surrounded by the wrist bone and a large ligament, explains the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Tendons that allow you to flex your fingers and thumb run through the tunnel, as does the median nerve, which sends signals on motion, pain and temperature from your hand to your brain. Swelling of the tendons reduces space in the tunnel, which can result in pinching of the nerve, causing pain, numbness, tingling and clumsiness of the hand.
Follow these tips to reduce the risk of developing CTS and other wrist pain associated with office work:
> Raise your arms
Preventing CTS can be as simple as adjusting your chair.
Raise the armrests on your chair until they are even with your desk, says Sleeth. Then you can rest your forearms on the chair and desk evenly.
Keeping the armrests level with your desktop creates a larger surface area over which your arms and hands can move without strain, she says. That allows you to use your mouse more comfortably, without flexing your wrist.
> Take breaks
Stop work for micro-breaks throughout the day, Sleeth suggests, to reduce the stress on your wrists.
Turn away from your computer and relax your arms and shoulders, she says. Even a few seconds of rest at a time can be beneficial.
> Beware the “ergonomic” labels
Ergonomics is the study of designing products to fit the human body. But just because a product’s label says it’s ergonomic doesn’t mean it will prevent injury, Sleeth warns. There are no regulations governing the use of “ergonomic” on product labels, and many products that are so labelled can actually cause, rather than prevent, injury.
For example, mouse pads with raised padding aren’t necessarily helpful to those suffering from wrist pain, Sleeth says. The padding can compress the carpal tunnel and cause pain.
> Go for a check-up
If you have wrist pain and other symptoms consistent with CTS, the cause could be something other than repetitive stress at your desk.
There are strong links between CTS and such health issues as diabetes, obesity and hormonal changes, Sleeth says.
Discuss your symptoms with your doctor to verify whether they are caused by your office environment or other health problems.
IE