Benefits of an Ergonomic Mouse
I think it’s fair to say that most of us spend a huge amount of time on the computer. Most office workers and students will spend hours and hours a day sitting at the computer. We often hear about using ergonomic chairs to protect and neck and back, but what about the mouse we use? Using an ergonomic mouse is very beneficial to our health and safety in the home or workplace. Here are the benefits of using an ergonomic mouse:
REDUCES RISK OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME AND RSI
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is when the nerve that runs through our wrist becomes stressed or damaged. Overuse of our hands and wrists can result in this syndrome, which means our computer mouse can be the culprit!
By choosing an ergonomic mouse, you are adjusting the position and movement of your wrist, which helps to relieve or eliminate the pressure put on major nerves.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can seriously impede your ability to work, which is not ideal!
RSI is a similar condition. “Repetitive Strain Injury” is just how it sounds. Repetitive movement can cause strain and damage, meaning you might not be able to use your wrist or hands for a period of time. An ergonomic mouse can greatly reduce the chances of this.
FITS TO YOUR NATURAL HAND-SIZE AND MOVEMENT STYLES
Choosing the right ergonomic mouse can help your hands and wrists to assume their natural positions, rather than being forced into unnatural and harmful repeated positions.
The size and shape of the mouse are important to consider. If you have large hands and you have been using a very small mouse, your hand and wrists are contorted into unnatural positions which can lead to pain and damage. The wrong size mouse can really affect you by contracting your tendons and creating pressure and stress, leading to nasty ailments.
You can choose an ergonomic mouse that is shaped in a way that allows your hand and wrist to rest in a natural position, therefore moving naturally too.
CAN HELP WITH ARTHRITIS SUFFERERS
Arthritis in the hands, fingers, and wrist can mean that movement is very difficult, limited and painful. The last thing you want to have to do is constantly make small and painful movements with your fingers and wrists. The right ergonomic mouse can allow you to keep your hand still and move your whole forearm to make the movements you need.
If you would like to pick up your own mouse, we’ve put together our Top Picks for 2017. We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. Take a look!
TYPES OF ERGONOMIC MICE AND BENEFITS OF EACH
- Vertical mouse: helps to keep the wrist and hand at a healthy angle, reducing pressure and stress on nerves and tendons when movement occurs.
- Ambidextrous mouse: being right-handed or left-handed makes a difference when it comes to what mouse you use. There are ergonomic mice available for lefties and righties, making sure your arm, wrist and hand is angled correctly and has the right pivot-positions to avoid fatigue
- Size-adjustable mouse: these are great for computers with multiple users. The mice can be adjusted for different-sized hands, making sure each user is comfortable and ergonomically safe.
Take a look at your hand and note the size, contours, and shape and movement styles when using your mouse. Keep these in mind when selecting your ergonomic mouse and you will notice the benefits, reducing stress, pain and hand fatigue.