IT Management News

Repeat offender: How IT use can cause RSI

Tags:
RSI

Jonathan Bennett ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 23 Feb 2004 13:10 GMT

Mouse use will affect far more people. For a decade now, the mouse has been the dominant method of issuing commands to PCs, replacing the command line within windowing environments and menu keys in applications. Just gripping a mouse tends to put the wrist in a strained position, even ergonomic mice. This is made worse by most people's habit of using only the wrist to move the mouse, rather than the whole arm.

Another issue with using a mouse is that it's often positioned too far to the right, especially if you have your keyboard in the correct position for typing. This makes you over-reach for it, straining your shoulder. Since most people only ever do this motion with one hand, the strain can be worse than with tasks performed with both hands. Ironically, left-handed users should be in a better situation, since virtually all keyboards have the keypad on the right, leaving a clear space on the left to put the mouse in.

While it's difficult to narrow down what effects you're likely to suffer from using a PC, the causes are well enough understood that it is possible to reduce your risk of suffering RSI, provided you take some care.

Check ZDNet UK's RSI Special Report for all the news, advice, reviews and downloads you need to stay healthy and free of Repetitive Strain Injury.