Proper Wrist Position

Ergonomic experts suggest that at the first sign of trouble, you should consult your physician who will probably suggest some behavior modification and perhaps a brace that should be used correctly. Wrist rests either on your desktop or on a pullout keyboard tray attached to your desk should be used during pauses from typing rather than as a place to put your wrists while typing.

When typing, it is best to keep your wrists in a neutral position. In this position, the wrist is bent neither forward, backward, inward, or outward. Extremes in any of these positions can put strain on the joints in the wrist and put pressure on the tendons, blood vessels, and nerves passing through the wrists. These abnormal positions also place strain on the forearm muscles and the upper arms and shoulders which anchor to the upper body and neck.

If you keep your wrists and hands in a constant position while performing your tasks, it is essential for you to stretch and exercise them periodically throughout the workday and after work hours. Make sure you flex and extend your fingers frequently. You should also give your wrists proper exercise by flexing and extending the hand at the forearm and from side to side.

Should you suffer from continual wrist pain while working, it is useful to have a job task analysis performed by an occupational or physical therapist. Such a specialist can evaluate the position of your wrists as you perform usual tasks, and then provide recommendations for support devices.

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