5 Benefits of Using an Ergonomic Mouse and Keyboard

Whether in the office or working-from-home, wrist pain is one of the most prevalent issues for desk workers. Considering that many desk workers need to use a mouse and keyboard repetitively, this shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise.

Can proper ergonomics help stave off problems like wrist pain while working? Yes, using the right ergonomic setup can work wonders!

While our ergonomics experts always recommend visiting a doctor for proper diagnosis of an injury, below are 5 benefits workers will receive by using an ergonomic mouse and keyboard.

1.Proper Workstation Ergonomics May Help to Alleviate Arthritis Symptoms

Workers with arthritis can present intense inflammation in various joints. Wrists and fingers are no exception, and can often be quite debilitating for those that work at a computer.

An ergonomic keyboard and mouse might not be able to prevent or treat arthritis, but they can make it that much more comfortable for those that suffer from the affliction.

2. Ergonomic Equipment Can Help Reduce Worker Fatigue

Working with a keyboard and mouse for multiple hours means workers have to twist, strain, and stretch their hands over long periods of time. An ergonomic wireless mouse, with the right setup, helps reduce how much stretching and straining a person has to go through while using their PC. This results in less worker fatigue, making it easier to work for longer hours.

3. Increased Comfort While Working

It might seem like an insignificant variable, but employee comfort is actually very important. What some might see as an unnecessary luxury should be a top priority.

Comfort is considered a positive symptom indicating that a worker is utilizing a properly designed workstation. Meaning workers are more likely to avoid negative health problems over time.

Consider investing in an ergonomics assessment for an office or home office workstation for worker’s comfort. Investing in your worker’s comfort will pay off in the long run, given that when workers feel healthy and safe, they will be more productive at work as well as avoid downtime.

4. Better Posture

Having the right equipment helps change how workers sit and work at the computer. Eye level, shoulder positioning, leg placement, and arm placement, all contribute to better overall comfort. However, the placement of your hands is a huge determiner of whether or not you’ll have proper posture.

Luckily, there’s so much ergonomic equipment available, that you can even find a left-handed ergonomic mouse or keyboards built for left handed individuals.

5. Higher Work Productivity

Certain ergonomic keyboards and mice make it a lot easier to work longer hours. One example involves the split keyboard. It allows users to spread their arms apart, reducing the strain on the forearms and shoulders. Some ergonomic mouse options change the game, as well, opting for a rolling ball instead of relying on mouse movement. As mentioned above, the easier it is to work with the equipment, the easier it will be to work efficiently and for more time.

Related Article: “Ergonomic Mouse and Keyboard Review: Goldtouch Go!2 Mobile Keyboard and FlexMouse”

Building an Ergonomic Office For All Workers

Designing an ergonomic office or home office is more important than many might consider. Working at a properly designed workstation is related to a wide variety of serious health issues. That’s where ergonomic equipment, like an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, comes in.

These ergonomic gadgets work in tandem with ergonomic chairs and desks to ensure that arm and hand placement matches the body’s posture. The sooner you get an ergonomics assessment performed to ensure your office or home office is comfortable and productive – the better!

If you or your employees need assistance improving your in-office or home-office ergonomics, consider contacting the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. for a consultation. We offer both in-person ergonomics assessments and virtual ergonomics assessment. Through our detailed assessment tools, you can find out exactly what you need to fix in the office for better health and productivity in the workspace.

Check out our website SolutionsNW.com for more details on how you can find the best office setup today!

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

How to Avoid Wrist and Hand Pain While Working

If you, your office employees, or remote workers frequently use computers at work – workers might experience wrist and hand pain, which can lead to a workplace injury and even carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome often develops when you repetitively engage in tasks that put pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent the pain, tingling, and discomfort associated with the syndrome. For example, setting up proper workplace ergonomics (whether in-office or remote) and performing wrist exercises and hand stretches, can reduce risk of injury at work. Read on to learn how you or your employees can prevent hand pain while working on a computer.

Causes of Wrist and Hand Pain While Working

Wrist pain can result from sudden, traumatic injuries. However, there can also be long-term causes underlying your symptoms. Working for extended hours on the computer can contribute to repetitive stress in the wrist, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Each of these afflictions manifests in different ways, so a dull, throbbing pain might signify arthritis, while a pins and needles sensation would align more closely with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Maintaining good sitting posture is the first step in reducing wrist pain. Keep your feet flat on the ground and your back flush with the chair. Relaxing your shoulders is another good tip for improving posture.

Related Article: “4 Tips to Improve Your Sitting Posture at Work”

You’ll also want to take frequent breaks, which will not only allow your wrists to rest but can also help with eye and back strain. During these breaks, there are several wrist and hand stretches you can do to reduce your risk of pain.

Wrist Exercises and Hand Stretches

Below are a few wrist exercises and hand-stretches that our ergonomics consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc. have gathered:

• Fist Stretch – Begin with your open hand (exhibit a) and make a fist with your thumb straight and not tucked under your fingers (exhibit b). Then, (exhibit c) slide your fingertips up the palm of your hand. Move the tips of your fingers to the base of your fingers and you should feel a stretch. Do not force this movement if something is painful
  
• Prayer Hands – Sitting with your elbows on the desk and palms in prayer position, slowly lower your wrists to the table until you feel a stretch. Keep your palms together throughout the stretch. Hold 5 to 7 seconds, relax, and repeat 3 times.
  
• Wrist Bend – Grab your hand and hold your fingers, begin to slowly bend your wrist down until you feel the stretch. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, relax, and repeat 3 times. Next, slowly bend your wrist up until you feel the stretch. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, relax, and repeat 3 times.
  

Before performing any unfamiliar exercises, consult your physician, especially if you have a history of carpal tunnel syndrome or other wrist afflictions.

Office Ergonomics Solutions

Making the investment in quality ergonomic office design and ergonomic office equipment can greatly reduce the risk of wrist pain and other workplace injuries. Even placing a small wrist rest at the edge of your workstation can help. Many wrist pain issues arise from the common tendency to rest our wrists on the edge of our desks or tables.

Other good investments include an ergonomic mouse, especially if you spend a lot of time scrolling. If your tasks are typing-heavy, an ergonomic keyboard is also a good idea.

The best way to determine all your ergonomic needs is to perform an ergonomics assessment. Ergonomics consultants evaluate both in-office and remote worker’s needs to provide guidance on proper design and equipment that will be required to complete a job safely and efficiently. Every employee, whether working from home or in the office deserves to work in safety. And the investment will pay off, as happy workers are efficient workers.

Do Not Ignore Office Ergonomics and Worker Safety

In order to prevent repetitive injuries like wrist pain, it is important to recognize and avoid all ergonomic risk factors, no matter what they might be. The ideal way to do this is by doing an advanced ergonomics assessment for all employees (in-office and remote workers). An ergonomics assessment from an expert will give a clear indication to your employees how their current work desk setup fails and how it could be improved.

If you wish to do an ergonomics assessment or a virtual ergonomic assessment, our company can help. Contact the experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. today to check up on the ergonomic risks of all your remote employees. This will pay off a great dividend for your company in the future.

Using remote workers? The ergonomics experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. are now offering affordable Virtual Ergonomics Assessments specifically for remote workers (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart phone). Contact Us to schedule an ergonomics consultation or ergonomics assessment for your office today.

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below: