Keyboard and Mouse/Pointing Device Tips
Good keying/mousing technique can reduce stresses on the wrists, arms and elbows. It can also minimize static loads on the shoulders to ensure good blood flow to the extremities.
- Float your hands and arms while keying or pivot the mid-forearms on armrest or work surface
- Avoid planting your palms/wrists or bearing weight on elbows while keying and mousing
- Keep your wrists straight…minimize bending the wrists up/down or inward/outward
- Keep an open elbow angle at 120 degrees or more…avoid tighter than 90 degrees
- Take 5 minute breaks from your computer at least once per hour…stretch or walk
OKAY!
Float the hands with arms at sides and keyboard set low over your lap
OKAY!
Pivot the forearms on chair armrest and float the hands
OKAY!
Pivot the forearms on the desktop or on a forearm board and float the hands
AVOID!
Planting the wrists while keying
There are things you can do to reduce your risk:
2.Use drag-lock feature to allow you to 'Copy' and 'Paste' without having to hold down a button while moving the mouse
3. Program RSI Guard to do 'Copy' and 'Paste functions with a single key stroke e.g. F1. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
4. Use multiple mice so you can alternate your hand positioning throughout the day
5. Use both hands to mouse. You can you one hand at a time or use both hands simultaneously (one to move the cursor and the other to click)
6. Avoid using finger tips to click mouse. Use the entire finger to click
7. Make sure the mouse is positioned within your shoulder width. If it is positioned farther away you will utilize extra muscles in your neck and shoulder area that will quickly get fatigued
8.Eliminate double clicking. Convert all double clicks to single clicks. Click here for the simple steps.