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