| If you've never experienced it, consider | | | | but the Basic Keyboard Tray was the top |
| yourself lucky. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-a | | | | of the line for under $100, and it |
| painful condition caused by swelling of | | | | installs to pretty much any existing |
| the tendons in the wrists-is no joke. | | | | desk you have. |
| Hundreds of thousands of people suffer | | | | Keep your hands warm. If you work in a |
| from the affliction on a daily basis; | | | | cold environment, either outside or a |
| many have had to quit their jobs or | | | | building where you can't control the |
| abandon favorite activities, and the | | | | temperature (like a warehouse), wear |
| worst part is... chances are, it could | | | | fingerless gloves that keep the muscles |
| have been avoided. | | | | in your wrists from cooling down and |
| CTS is caused by repetitive, unnatural | | | | tightening. |
| movements such as typing for extended | | | | Alternate tasks to avoid overuse. Sure, |
| periods of time or manipulating machines | | | | logically it makes sense to enter all |
| that vibrate. Those that have | | | | the orders on the computer at once and |
| experienced the onset of CTS firsthand | | | | then move on to filing, finishing that |
| often complain of intense pain, | | | | in one fell swoop too. Don't compromise |
| swelling, limited hand functions, loss | | | | the health of your body for efficiency. |
| of strength, even loss of feeling. | | | | After all, how efficient will you be |
| There are some basic steps you can take | | | | when you type more slowly due to wrist |
| to prevent-or at least reduce-your risk | | | | pain, or need to use both hands to pull |
| of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: | | | | heavy files? Take breaks and alternate |
| Spend the time and money on outfitting | | | | tasks, giving your muscles time to relax |
| your desk properly. Many of us who feel | | | | and readapt. |
| we don't spend "that much" time on our | | | | Reduce your force. Instead of pounding |
| home computers know that we're sitting | | | | on your keyboard like you're Mozart |
| in an uncomfortable, unnatural position, | | | | banging out a concerto, touch your |
| but decide to just suffer through it. | | | | keyboard lightly. Hold pens and levers |
| Bad idea. Even short amounts of time | | | | with a relaxed grip. Use a sawing motion |
| spent working in unnatural positions | | | | to cut rather than pressing down with |
| over the course of weeks can be harmful. | | | | your wrist. Paying attention to |
| Install an ergonomically correct | | | | unnatural pressure on your hands and |
| keyboard tray on your computer desk. Our | | | | wrists is key to realizing when you're |
| favorite is the Basic Keyboard Tray from | | | | putting yourself at risk. Treat your |
| Versa Products, Inc. There are numerous | | | | wrists well, and they'll do the same for |
| great keyboard trays on the market now, | | | | you. |