If your work requires you to spend eight or more hours a day in front of a computer, then carpal tunnel syndrome is a very real concern. At the same time, office workers are not the only people who have to worry about developing this condition. Any occupation which involves repetitive hand or wrist motion can place you at risk, as can hobbies like knitting. Here are some things you can do to prevent this problem.
Health - While there are a lot of different factors which can increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, there are also ways to help prevent its development. One of the most important of these is to maintain a healthy weight. Numerous studies have confirmed that people who are overweight or obese are more likely to suffer from the condition, so if you're worried about developing repetitive motion injuries, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet may help.
Smoking - You can also cut down on smoking to reduce your risk. Smoking decreases circulation, especially in the extremities and this is also a risk factor when combined with repetitive wrist and hand motions. If you smoke, you should be very careful when performing these kinds of tasks; but again, it's better to think about giving it up entirely.
Get the Right Chair - The setup of your work station can also go a long way towards increasing or decreasing your risk. A workstation which is configured in an ergonomically sound manner, including an ergonomic chair and proper placement of your keyboard and mouse, along with proper work habits can help prevent carpal tunnel.
In some cases, items that promote ergonomics can be important as well. If you look online, you will be able to find chairs, keyboards and other office tools that help to promote better posture and reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome at the same time. It will be important to consider these options if you are looking to offset some of the risk that you have.
Breaks - One of the best things that you can do to prevent repetitive motion injuries is to take a little time out throughout the work day to take a break, walk around the office a bit and stretch your hands and wrists before returning to work. Not only is this a good way to prevent injuring your wrists, it also helps break up the workday and can help you return to your desk and get back to the task at hand with renewed vigor.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is painful and can be debilitating, but it's also fairly easy to prevent. If your occupation or hobbies place you at an elevated risk for repetitive motion injuries, then it's important to consider your risks and take action to minimize them. A little prevention goes a long way - and since it could save you from having to have surgery later on, it's well worth working to avoid suffering from this type of injury.
Health - While there are a lot of different factors which can increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, there are also ways to help prevent its development. One of the most important of these is to maintain a healthy weight. Numerous studies have confirmed that people who are overweight or obese are more likely to suffer from the condition, so if you're worried about developing repetitive motion injuries, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet may help.
Smoking - You can also cut down on smoking to reduce your risk. Smoking decreases circulation, especially in the extremities and this is also a risk factor when combined with repetitive wrist and hand motions. If you smoke, you should be very careful when performing these kinds of tasks; but again, it's better to think about giving it up entirely.
Get the Right Chair - The setup of your work station can also go a long way towards increasing or decreasing your risk. A workstation which is configured in an ergonomically sound manner, including an ergonomic chair and proper placement of your keyboard and mouse, along with proper work habits can help prevent carpal tunnel.
In some cases, items that promote ergonomics can be important as well. If you look online, you will be able to find chairs, keyboards and other office tools that help to promote better posture and reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome at the same time. It will be important to consider these options if you are looking to offset some of the risk that you have.
Breaks - One of the best things that you can do to prevent repetitive motion injuries is to take a little time out throughout the work day to take a break, walk around the office a bit and stretch your hands and wrists before returning to work. Not only is this a good way to prevent injuring your wrists, it also helps break up the workday and can help you return to your desk and get back to the task at hand with renewed vigor.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is painful and can be debilitating, but it's also fairly easy to prevent. If your occupation or hobbies place you at an elevated risk for repetitive motion injuries, then it's important to consider your risks and take action to minimize them. A little prevention goes a long way - and since it could save you from having to have surgery later on, it's well worth working to avoid suffering from this type of injury.