Ergonomic Keyboards

Ergonomic keyboards can be better solution for Repetitive strain injury. No computer component has received more attention, or criticism, from ergonomists than the keyboard.

Regular keyboards typically encourage typists to twist and bend their hands in awkward positions, which can add up to serious wrist strain. This awkward position, called ulnar deviation, puts strain on the wrist and can cause problems.

If the back of the keyboard has an upward tilt, it's also easy to bend your wrists sharply upward when you're typing--another contortion that can cause trouble. The feet at the back of many keyboards can compound the problem by increasing the angle of tilt.

Function and control-key combinations can also be potential wrist twisters, especially if you have small hands. Some common Macintosh command-key combinations--command-Y, for example--force you to stretch your fingers unnaturally and painfully when you try to type both characters with the same hand.

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to lessen the risk of injury to your hands and wrists. Keep your fingers relaxed and smoothly arched as you type, try not to bend your wrists use two hands to enter awkward key combinations, and don't hit keys with too much force.

It also helps to simply put your hands in your lap when you pause, instead of holding them motionless above the keyboard. If you experience pain or tingling in your hands or wrists, however, it may be time to seek help and scrap your current keyboard altogether.

Several vendors offer alternative ergonomic keyboards designed to remedy the ergonomic ills of conventional layouts. Most vendors split the ergonomic keyboards into halves that angle away from each other at the bottom.

This lessens the degree of ulnar deviation, so your wrists assume a more neutral position. Other split ergonomic keyboards have two sections that angle upward slightly in the middle. This also lets your forearms, wrists, and hands assume a more natural angle.

Before you reach for your checkbook, be aware that no alternative ergonomic keyboard--no matter how radical--is guaranteed to prevent or lessen RSI. If you're already experiencing symptoms seek professional advice before you change your keyboard or pointing device.

"Helping Hands: When Work's a Pain" gives tips on what symptoms to watch out for. Also, you won't be able to tell if a particular device is right for you until you try it for at least a week or two. Make sure that anything you buy comes with an unconditional money-back guarantee.

When you're working at your Mac, it's important to keep your wrists as relaxed as possible. Remember: the nerves and tendons that control your fingers must pass through those narrow tunnels.

Rest, Don't Lean. Many people have turned to padded rests to cushion and support their wrists. Most sit between you and the ergonomic keyboard, but newer pads can fit in front of a mouse or trackball as well.

Resting your wrist on a padded surface is a big improvement over placing it on the hard edge of your desk in a bent position. But using a pad regularly while you're typing can actually increase the risk of RSI.

Wrist splints are also popular over-the-counter products for dealing with sore hands and wrists, but these, too, should be used with caution. Splints help support the wrist and keep it from bending. Never use a wrist splint without having first consulted a medical professional.