1. The Economics of Ergonomics
An investment in ergonomic office furniture can save you a bundle in both physical suffering and financial expenditure for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. When considering how to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, a comfortable and adjustable office chair, an arm rest for your keyboard and a desk with a height that allows proper body posture may be the most important factors.
2. Prevention is All in the Posture
In order to choose the right office furniture, you must understand how to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome through body posture. Your keyboard should allow your wrists to rest comfortably on the table without bending the wrists. If necessary, purchase an arm rest. Your office chair should be adjustable so that you can rest your wrists on your keyboard while maintaining a 90-degree angle at the elbows. Additionally, your table height should allow your feet to rest flat on the floor with your upper thighs and waist at a 90-degree angle while maintaining the comfortable hand and elbow posture. If your table does not allow your feet to rest flat on the floor, try a footrest to maintain proper body posture.
3. Take 5 or 10 or 15
It is estimated that the average person needs about 10 to 15 minutes each hour away from their keyboard. This doesn't mean you have to leave your desk or stop working, just stop typing and give your wrists a break. You don't have to take the whole 15 minutes at once either. Try taking a 5 minute break every 20 minutes to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
4. 5 Minutes to Carpal Tunnel Prevention
Take 5 minutes two or three times a day to exercise your wrists in order to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. First, tighten your fists and hold for one second. Release the fists and open your hands, spreading your fingers as much as possible. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat at least five times. Now place your arms straight out in front of you and slowly lift and lower your hand. Bend your wrists so that your finger face the ceiling, then rotate to the floor, repeating at least five times. Now make large circles with your wrists at least five times to the left and then five times to the right.
5. Early Detection Is Key
Carpal tunnel syndrome can often be avoided if the early signs are caught before a serious problem develops. If you begin to feel numbness or tingling in the hands or fingers or any pain at all in the wrists or hands, these can be early symptoms of carpal tunnel. A qualified massage therapist or physical therapist can help to reverse the symptoms without surgery; however, a physician should first examine your wrists to detect and determine the extent of carpal tunnel syndrome.
