Your Work Related Stress Injury Handbook
Jun 11 '00
Ever experienced any of the symptoms of work related stress (WRS)? Do you even know what they are? What can you do about the symptoms? Does epinions lead to WRS (Ok, only if you write about 10 a day in which case you have no life and might as well suffer)?
WHAT WRS IS:
WRS is essentially an injury or a discomfort caused from work related activities. A common occurrance involves those who work at a desk job for long uninterrupted hours while working with a mouse and a keyboard. In this case, WRS comes from the stress exerted on our fingers, wrists, and arms. However, people often forget that the back is strained by sitting for long hours and the eyes are not meant to be looking at a monitor for hours on end at close range. WRS is essentially the discomfort- permanent or temporary- that results from actions such as the ones described above.
THE SYMPTOMS:
Keep in mind that WRS involves many different parts of the body. Hence, not all of the symptoms are related to the hands/arms/wrists. I have listed these in no particular order:
1. Loss of strength in your hands, wrists, and arms.
2. Tingling/numbness sensations in your hands and arms.
3. A cramped feeling in your "mouse" hand.
4. Discomfort from the top of your forearm.
5. A sore neck.
6. Lower back pain or discomfort.
7. Eye strain.
WHAT CAN YOU DO:
WRS is fairly easy to treat, in most cases. The key is to go to a doctor and describe your symptoms early in the period of discomfort. Be sure to describe the symptoms as much detail as possible. Here are a few thoughts on how you can fight or prevent WRS:
1. Purchase ergonomic keyboard/mouse (More on this later).
2. Maintain a good posture.
3. Maintain a distance from the monitor- 1 1/2 feet or more if you can.
4. Look away from the monitor and focus on something else every few minutes.
5. Turn your head from side to side slowly and gently if you feel your neck becoming stiff.
6. Purchase an ergonomic chair. I know they are not the most comfortable, but they will make your time in front of the computer a lot easier on your back and will help with your posture.
7. Take frequent breaks- try to get up and walk around for a minute or two every half an hour.
8. Avoid the temptation to rest your hand on the mouse while waiting for a page to download. Instead, rest your hand in a more natural position or stretch your fingers.
9. Consider purchasing a brace in order to force/teach your hand the correct positioning.
10. Arrange your monitor and keyboard so the monitor is eye level and the keyboard is at a height that allows your arms to form a 90 degree angle while typing.
I think if you try a few of these suggestions you will find that your symptoms will lessen or disappear altogether. Again, the importance of going to a doctor and discussing the problem cannot be overlooked.
A word on ergonomic computer equipment. First of all, the funny looking and difficult to adjust to keyboards are your best bet. There are many on the market and after a while you will find that you adjust to the changes in the keyboard. The ergonomic mouse is a lot easier to adjust to. Also, purchase a mouse that offers multiple ways of operation. For instance, purchase a mouse that not only provides the right and left click options, but also provides a roller to move the page down and a side button for pointing and left clicking. The more options you have, the more varied movements you will be making and the less likely you will be to become a victim of WRS.
Finally, WRS is something that is serious and potentially crippling. No, not crippling in the way many of us think, but crippling in a manner similar to arthritis. Take the precautions above to heart and follow closely in order to prevent symptoms from occurring. Should symptoms occur, get to a doctor.
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