How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome While Writing Online
Many people join online writing sites or start their own blogs or websites with the intention of writing 100 articles or more for the additional residual income it will eventually afford and many more writers would love to quit their day jobs and become full time writers.
Spending too much time at the laptop or computer, as well as any other repetitive motion of the wrists, hands and arms can create a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a compression of the median nerve in the wrist due to swelling of any of the nine tendons. It can be painful reducing the amount of writing online, as well as affect sleep due to numbness, tingling and immobility of the hands, wrists and arms. Take these steps to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome to allow successful continuation of your online writing or any other job.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Knowledge
Timer or clock
Comfortable area to work
Proper posture
Wrist support
Hand and wrist exercises
Carpal Tunnel
Many jobs that involve repetitive wrist, hand and arm movements potentially result in carpal tunnel syndrome when the tendons become compressed and swollen. Knowing this can help you take measures to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and the sooner you take action, the more likely you are to avoid pain and complications. Use one or all of these suggestions:
Take breaks from the computer
Create a writing schedule. Time yourself for your writings on other online sites to avoid continuously working on the computer and allow ample breaks in between writing sessions. This will minimize the chances of acquiring carpal tunnel syndrome.
Create your writing workplace
Set up a comfortable working area for the laptop or computer with a desk or table and height appropriate desk chair. Keeping proper body alignment, arms level to the desktop with a resting area for the arms will help to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Maintain proper body posture
Keeping proper body posture will help to minimize carpal tunnel syndrome. Keep the back straight while sitting at the desk, with feet on the floor, shoulders back and abdominal muscles pulled in.
Wear a wrist support
Wear a wrist support as needed to help relieve pain and discomfort from frequent time spent on the computer or laptop.
Exercise wrist, hands and arms
Do wrist, hand and arm exercises to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Squeezing a tennis ball is a good example of a simple exercise that can help as well as hourly hand and wrist stretches to lengthen the tendons. Massaging wrists, hands and arms frequently will also help.
Voice to Text Software could prevent carpal tunnel
Consider using one of the new voice to text software devices on the market to give yourself a total break from typing on the computer to prevent carpal tunnel.
Tips & Warnings
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Seek medical advice for unrelieved numbness, tingling and sharp pain in hands, wrists and arms to be checked for carpal tunnel syndrome which may require eventual surgery.
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Stretching the hands, wrists and arms should not be painful. If pain persists, seek medical attention.
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Adding yoga to the routine exercise regime can help to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome since yoga involves various stretching moves that elongates the muscles and tendons.
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Adding an ice pack to sore wrists, hands and arms can alleviate pain and swelling.
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Comments
Great advice for online writers. My tendons have gotten tender from time to time, so your suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Excellent tips. With so many of us online today, whether we're writing articles or keeping in touch with friends and relatives, everyone can benefit from this article. I'm tweeting!
Thanks gals, always happy to know you enjoy reading and a tweet is extra special:)
I've faced problems with my palm especially after using the mouse for long, but thankfully nothing serious. So now, I take more breaks than before
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