If you’ve been using traditional office equipment at work, the chances are you may have experienced pain or soreness at some point. Choosing an ergonomic keyboard and mouse can help relieve some of your desk-based discomfort.
Read on to find out the common injuries non-ergonomic equipment can cause, plus how the right ergonomic keyboard and mouse can reduce pain and boost productivity.
Common workplace injuries caused by non-ergonomic equipment
Mouse shoulder
Persistent pain in your mousing arm can stem from improper mouse use. This is common with a traditional mouse because of its flat profile. Your hand naturally rotates outward from the wrist, but prolonged use of a flat mouse can put pressure on your arm and lead to discomfort.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Overuse of a wrist rest and a flat keyboard can, over time, cause damage to the nerves in your arm and cause carpal tunnel syndrome. You might press your wrists into the desk when typing, or angle your hands so there’s strain on the wrist joint. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can include swelling, tingling, and shooting pain.
Tennis elbow (tendonitis)
Overextending the wrist when typing or mousing, particularly if the keys are difficult to press, can lead to inflammation of the tendons in your forearms. Over time, this can develop into tennis elbow which can cause a range of symptoms from a dull ache to severe pain.
What are the benefits of ergonomic equipment?
An ergonomic keyboard and ergonomic mouse are both designed with the shape of your body in mind. They relieve pressure on joints and muscles because they hold your hands, wrists, and arms in a more natural position than traditional peripherals.
When you’re comfortable at work, you experience less pain and lower chances of an injury forming or getting worse. Also, you’re not having to hold your body at unnatural angles, leading to a better posture.
Working without pain means you’ll feel happier and more productive, taking less time off of work to recover from injuries.
What are the benefits of an ergonomic keyboard?
The adjustable nature of an ergonomic keyboard fits your body to support your typing posture. They can split in the middle, allowing you to spread the keyboard horizontally (splay) and vertically (tent) until it’s comfortable for your hands and wrists.
This relieves the unnatural angles you get with traditional keyboards and releases pressure on the joints and muscles. Over time, this is less likely to cause injury and allows you to work in comfort.
Choosing the right ergonomic keyboard
Choosing the right keyboard for you depends on a few factors.
Do you travel for work? If so, you might benefit from a foldable wireless keyboard like our Go!2 Mobile Keyboard. The keys are full-sized and offer a flatter profile similar to a laptop’s keys. You can adjust it to fit your body and connect it to any Bluetooth-enabled device for easy working on the go.
If you’re working from a stationery desk, our comfort range might be a better choice. You can plug and play into any USB slot and position the keyboard where you need it. The domed keys are taller than the Go!2, but still offer a soft-touch feel for comfortable typing.
What are the benefits of an ergonomic mouse?
An ergonomic mouse offers a more comfortable angle for your mousing hand, so that you’re avoiding unnecessary strain on the fingers and wrist. You can choose different sloped options to mimic the angle of your wrist and soft-touch keys prevent pressure in the finger joints.
Choosing the right ergonomic mouse
Choosing an ergonomic mouse is down to personal preference.
Do you want a gentle slope or a vertical mouse to relieve tension in your wrist? The ‘handshake’ angle of your hand with an angled mouse puts less strain on your wrist and makes the buttons easier to press.
If you swap hands when working, you might benefit from an ambidextrous mouse instead.
For something in between, go for the Semi-Vertical Mouse angled at 66 degrees. You can use this mouse with the optional detachable flange to keep your palm off the surface of the desk.
Final tips
Even with ergonomic equipment, aim to take regular breaks from your desk throughout the day. Try light stretches to boost your circulation and to prevent stiffness from keeping your body in one position.
By keeping your body moving and using an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, you can work in comfort, wherever you are.
Want to know more? Check out the Goldtouch blog!
