| ign="center"> | | | | Let's not make it easy to tense your shoulders. If |
| | | | your armrests are too high, you will be raising |
| When you are experiencing neck and shoulder | | | | (and tensing!) your shoulders up and creating pain. |
| pain at your computer, there are simple actions | | | | Due to the tendency to lean to the side with |
| you can take to help you feel better. | | | | armrests too low you may also create pain in the |
| It is very important to understand how your | | | | elbows and ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve is the |
| body reacts with the design of your computer | | | | one you feel all the way down into your pinkie |
| work area. Of equal concern is choosing products | | | | finger when hitting your elbow. Watch this one! |
| to help you rather than create additional pain. It | | | | Adjust your armrests so that your shoulders are |
| can be just as simple as adjusting or rearranging | | | | completely relaxed and elbows rest comfortably |
| your equipment and furniture. | | | | on armrests. |
| Monitor Height Placement | | | | Eliminate Your Chair Armrests Altogether |
| If you bend your neck back to see the monitor, it | | | | Do your armrests prevent you from getting close |
| is too high. If you bend your neck down, your | | | | to your keyboard because they hit the edge of |
| monitor is too low. | | | | your desk? This is a source of mental stress |
| Let your head rest naturally and it will tilt slightly | | | | many of us have experienced. |
| forward. You have left the office too many times | | | | You will also create tense neck and shoulder |
| with sore muscles! | | | | muscles due to the straight arm reach to the |
| When looking straight ahead, your line of sight is | | | | keyboard and mouse. |
| the imaginary horizontal line from your eyes to | | | | So in this case, remove the armrests. |
| the screen. Your eyes naturally gaze down 15 | | | | Move Mouse Closer To Your Body |
| — 20 degrees below your line of sight. | | | | Moving and clicking your mouse frequently when it |
| Adjust the height to easily view the information | | | | is too far away can create shoulder pain - use a |
| on the screen where your eyes naturally gaze. | | | | shorter footprint, ergonomic keyboard without |
| Center Keyboard with Monitor | | | | the right hand numeric keypad or a mouse that is |
| If your keyboard is placed directly in front of | | | | placed at the center of the body. |
| your body and your monitor is situated to the | | | | You may also try a keyboard with the numeric |
| right or left you will be forced to twist your neck | | | | keypad on the left, your keyboard and monitor |
| to view the screen. Ouch! This twist will tense the | | | | will be balanced more easily. |
| muscles in your neck. | | | | As always, REST, REST and MORE REST every |
| The longer you work with your muscles tensed | | | | 10 minutes for 10 seconds and every hour for |
| the higher risk of developing neck and shoulder | | | | five (5) minutes. |
| pain. | | | | Stand up and stretch often as this will relax your |
| Adjust Your Chair Armrest Height | | | | mind and body, improve circulation and create |
| How often do you feel as if your neck is almost | | | | more productivity. |
| touching your shoulder? Too often, right! | | | | |