Alleviate Carpal Tunnel and RSI symptoms with Ergonomic Input Devices
Typing injury, a form of Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI), has become a common problem as people spend longer and longer hours on their computers at work
Physical damage from typing tends to creep up on you, starting as minor discomfort that barely registers. However, if you keep doing the things that cause injury, the problem will worsen and injuries such as Tendinitis can develop.
Muscles in the hands and arms may become irritated as well, a condition called myositis. As soft tissues become more inflamed and swollen, they can press on adjacent nerves, causing tingling, pain, and weakness in the fingers, and diminished motor control. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the wrist is a frequent complication of typing injury. An ergonomic workstation can greatly reduce the factors that lead to many of these repetive stress injuries.
Ergonomic Keyboards
The keyboard is a crucial component of a properly designed computer workstation. One of the main emphases in designing ergonomic keyboards has been to try to improve user posture during keyboard use. To improve user posture, keyboards can be split so that each half better accommodates the natural posture of each arm. This is in contrast to straight keyboards, which require users to modify their posture to fit the keyboard design.
Keyovation Goldtouch Keyboard
$140.00 |
The Goldtouch keyboard allows the computer user to adjust the split and angle of the keyboard to best suit each user.
In a blind study by VSI Risk Management & Ergonomics of 20 government employees who began using the Goldtouch keyboard instead of standard flat keyboards in their office setting, all users, with the exception of one, instinctively figured out how to position the Goldtouch board to fit their comfort level without instruction or explanation. Neutral hand postures were obtained with 19 of the 20 users without explanation of how to avoid awkward wrist postures.
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Ergonomic Mice
One of the key factors that influences mouse comfort is contact pressure on the hand. Too much pressure on the hand is uncomfortable because it causes the mouse to press sharply into the palm. Proper contact pressure can be provided by a mouse that contacts a large portion of the hand and contacts it in an even,distributed manner.
Evoluent VerticalMouse
$88.00
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Unlike a conventional mouse, which you grip with your hand parallel to the desktop, the VerticalMouse lets you work in a relaxed handshake position that eliminates unnatural forearm twisting--a potential factor in carpal tunnel syndrome and other mouse-related injuries. Your fingers wrap around the mouse handle where the right- and left-click buttons are conveniently placed. The whole design conforms to your hand, and you can move the mouse in any direction while keeping the wrist and fingers completely immobile, thus requiring no grip to move the cursor.
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Contour Roller Mouse 
$189.00
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The RollerMouse offers a solution to the awkward stretch required for using a mouse. Contour's RollerMouse series is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for a mouse by offering a "rollerbar" and set of buttons below the keyboard to navigate and click with a cursor. This helps reduce muscular discomfort associated with repetitive use, and increases productivity by letting you keep your typing position as you control your cursor. www.contourdesign.com
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The Mouse Bean 
$15.00
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The MouseBean attaches to your mouse and cushions the heel of your hand, elevating your wrist to a more neutral position. MouseBean works on any surface and comes in several color combinations
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Armazing Memory Foam Arm Pads are a great addition to any Office or Home chair. The memory foam armpads contour to your elbows and forearms to offer you greater comfort and support while reducing pressure points. This helps to increase productiity while reducing overall body stress. Fits all adjustable chair arms from 6"-11". |
Adjustable Keyboard Trays
For most of us, a typing/mousing height of less than 29" is the preferred or more neutral position. An adjustable keyboard tray allows us to make an adjustment to a height, which will allow us to relax our shoulders and maintain a neutral typing/ mousing posture. A good adjustable keyboard tray accommodates the keyboard and mouse and provides for easy vertical adjustment, angle adjustment, and can easily be slid under the worksurface when not in use.
NeutralPosture
EZ A-42
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23" lever-tilt arm style
27" Rectilinear tray style (11.25" deep)
Black foam palm rest
Anti-skid neoprene pads hold the keyboard securely in place
Height range: -5.5" to 0"
Tilt range: -15° to 0° |