Here’s something that’ll make you sit up straight. Back specialists say as many as four in five patients have chronic nerve damage caused by working on portable PCs and millions more are at risk of injury. Laptops account for 70 percent of all computer sales, according to PC Pro magazine.
Nicola Hunter, a physiotherapist and occupational health specialist, said that hand and arm pain similar to repetitive strain injury is easily induced by resting wrists against the edge of a laptop. She added: “There’s evidence that it stops the nerves and tendons moving as they normally would, and this can cause nerve injury.”
My Ergonomic Workstation – No More Pain
I completely changed my work station after years of crippling carpal tunnel injuries caused by bad ergonomics. It got so bad at one point that I couldn’t squeeze a tube of toothpaste or pick up a cup of coffee. I was, in fact, on disability for nearly a year, unable to type or hold a pen. I’m fine now, because I changed the way I work. Here’s what I did:
These days, I use
- a Cirque EasyCat Touchpad instead of a regular mouse,
- a Kinesis Advantage keyboard, a keyboard tray that sits at lap level,
- and a fabulous Therapod chair that I got from ergonomics king Joel Kendall of Kenebowe.
- I never talk on the phone for more than a few minutes without a headset and I never – ever - hold the phone between my ear and my neck while typing. That’s where the whole problem begins!
Related – Working Well Ergonomics
Harvard Medical School-
Laptop ergonomics: When the keyboard is in the proper position for the wrist, the screen is not in an adequate position for the neck and vice versa. Using a laptop is a trade off between poor neck/head posture and poor hand/wrist posture. You need to pay special attention to how you use your laptop to prevent problems.
And men, beware, there also are reports that a warm laptop on the, um, lap, can lower sperm counts.
Tags: BL_Ochman, injury, laptop, repetitive_strain, workplace_injuries
Solid, solid advice.
I think we sometimes get lazy and forget about good ergonomics–until it’s nearly too late. This is a good reminder. I slouch too much, and really need to improve my posture as I’m on the computer 9+ hours a day.
Thanks for the great information. Remember that the body is soft tissue being molded by the way we use it over and over and over again. How are you using your body-right now? Prepare your body for your space by AIS stretching and and gentle strength training. This simple awareness will make ergonomics more effective.
Wonder who didn’t sit up a little straighter and place their feet flat on the floor as they read your post?!
Three words, go to Amazon.com.
Oyster laptop stand.
Works wonders.
It’s way beyond a posture issue.
Women have carpal tunnel problems more than men. One reason is that computer equipment – desks, keyboards, mice – and chairs is made for men.
And I shudder to think what will happen to kids who are sitting at their parents’ desks, on their parents’ chairs, using keyboards and mice that are way too big for their hands and developing tendons and muscles.
Injuries take years to manifest. So it’s a pretty good bet that if you haven’t had a problem yet, you will have one in the future. Yikes!
Jim: I’m sure the Oyster laptop stand helps, but in the photo on their site the desk is way too high and the keyboard is still a killer.
They should at least show it with a keyboard tray on the desk!
On the advice of my chiropractor, I have started propping up the back underside of my laptop on a book so the screen is higher and I sit up straighter.
In addition, I have to be mindful of my posture and make an effort to keep my back straight and, ideally, my shoulders down and back. Still i find myself slouching many times per day.
The whole laptop on the lap is bad news though. I think it is important to use a table or desk always.
I forgot to mention, with the Oyster stand, you get your own ergo keyboard and mouse.
I’m thinking about getting an exercise ball to sit on while I work too.