Keyboarding Not Responsible for Carpal Tunnel
As many hours a day as I spend behind a keyboard, you'd think I would have developed carpal tunnel issues. If you follow my work online, you might wonder when I'm not behind a keyboard. The irony here is that my wife has more carpal tunnel problems than I do, and she averages less than an hour a day on the computer.
That isn't to say that I never ever experience a small amount of discomfort in my wrists. When I do, though, I am smart enough to take frequent breaks and exercise my hands and wrists to ensure the blood is properly flowing to my wrists. I also try and engage in low-keyboarding activities for a period of time.
Turns out, computer usage is not considered a cause of carpal tunnel, at least according to Harvard University. Even the American Medical Association says it's not a cause. Quoting from a 2003 study: "computer use does not pose a severe occupational hazard for developing symptoms of [carpal tunnel syndrome]."
For those of us who spend far too long behind a keyboard on a day-to-day basis, this is good news. For those who still suffer from the condition, this information probably doesn't help your condition at all. Either way, let me know what you think.
Tech Recipes via Slashdot
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By Rob, November 7, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
I don’t know – try working 11 or so hours a day on a Thinkpad – that middle keyboard pointer is heck on the wrist and hand. – Sometimes I gotta switch to a trackball for a couple days.
By PhoneBoy, November 7, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
A wireless mouse is a must when you’re putting in that kind of time on a laptop keyboard.