How To Prevent Injury When Typing

If you spend a lot of time at your keyboard you will have to take precautionary measures in order to prevent injury from typing. Injuries can appear in the fingers, wrists or elbows, simply from the repetitive motion of typing or even using the mouse. If not dealt with in time it can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis or tennis elbow.

What are the Symptoms?

The first symptoms you may experience is a numbness, tingling, pain or a stiffness in your joints, fingers or muscles. It is very important that you do not ignore these first warning signs, as they will only get worse if you do not stop typing.

Usually staying away from the keyboard for a few days will be enough for the pain to go away, but when you come back, you should have a plan to avoid a future injury.

Your Workspace

First of all you need an ergonomic workspace, anything else that you do, will not help unless you have a space where you are comfortable. You should be able to sit straight with your feet on the floor or on a foot rest. Your arms should be straight and your forearms should be level with your elbows when you type. Your wrists should always be kept straight, and should not rest on anything or bend in any way, up or down.

You may also want to consider getting an ergonomic keyboard which is split in the middle and shaped to better fit the natural position of your hands.

Your mouse should be on the same level as your keyboard, and you may also invest in one that is more ergonomically friendly.

Exercises and Breaks

You should also engage in light stretching exercises before you begin your typing session. You should always stretch your fingers as well as your wrists. You should rotate your fingers as well as your wrists and arms.

Taking frequent breaks will also help to relieve the stress, and you should use this time to also do light stretches.

Your Diet and Rest

Drinking lots of water and eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will help to eliminate the toxins in your body which contribute to the stress. You should drink at least 1 cup of water every hour in order to remain fully hydrated and energized.

When eating a proper diet, you will sleep much better at night which will help your hands to heal and relax from all the typing during the day.