Working on a computer every day can take its toll on the body. One of the most common ailments is carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel occurs when there is pressure placed on the median nerve in our wrists, which can cause tingling and numbness in your hands as well as pain and weakness.
The good news is that carpal tunnel isn’t inevitable! In this blog post, we will go over preventative measures you can take to avoid carpal tunnel while working at your desk job or any other stationary position throughout the day.
Keep Reading:
Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Contents
There is a number of ways you can get rid of this condition, including wearing a wrist brace to staunch the pressure on your median nerve.
Keep in mind that carpal tunnel syndrome is manageable and can be prevented if you start taking these preventative measures early before it worsens – so takes action today!
Decrease Your Force
While you might not necessarily be gripping any object, you might be putting a lot of force on your hands and wrists from typing, clicking the mouse, or even just resting them.
You can decrease this by changing how often you use these muscles to do anything, which will help lessen the pressure that may have been building up in your wrist over time.
Take Frequent Breaks
If you sit for long hours at your desk, it is essential that you take regular five-minute breaks to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Every hour or so, get up from your chair and move around for about a minute-whether this be pacing in the same room as working on something else altogether (such as walking over to answer a phone.
Stretch
If you are serious about carpal tunnel syndrome, then you should be serious about stretching. Stretch your wrist by holding it with the other hand, palm facing away from you, and pushing down on both sides of the thumb to loosen up the tightness in your tendons and muscles.
After a while, release one side, then try pulling back on each finger, starting at the pinky-this. This stretches out all you will have to invest your time in stretching.
Good Posture
Right posture is the key to carpal tunnel prevention. You’ll be able to prevent carpal tunnel if you work on sitting up straight, having a good posture while working on the computer at home or in an office; doing so may help your entire body stay healthy and relaxed.
Maintain Good Wrist Position
Your wrist should be at a neutral position and not angled so that the back of your hand touches the desk. If you’re working on a laptop, remember to keep it at eye level and do not use it in bed or other areas where you are lying down. This will prevent carpal tunnel because if this is done correctly, then there should be no need for repetitive wrist motions from typing.
Final Words
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an occupational hazard for many professions that involve repetitive hand movements. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a few suggestions to prevent this condition from affecting you or your employees, including getting regular breaks and performing exercises to reduce the strain on your wrists.
If, despite these precautions, you notice any of the symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome- numbness in hands/fingers, pain in hands/fingers or wrist– see a doctor right away. We hope our blog post helped! Please comment below if you have any questions about preventing carpal tunnel syndrome at work. Thank you for reading!
