Does computer use increase one's chances of developing
carpal tunnel syndrome? If you do a "search" on the
internet, you can find several stories that say no, and
just as many that say yes . . . sometimes even from the
same source! While there are still some conflicting beliefs
on how the use of computers affects a person's chance of
getting carpal tunnel syndrome, the injury seems to be
more prevalent than ever before.
There is a general belief that working for extended periods
of time using a computer will lead to an increase in carpal
tunnel syndrome, and that jobs such as data entry lead
to higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Since carpal
tunnel syndrome is caused by constant repetitive or static
motion of the hands and wrists, logically this would make
sense. There are several studies that initially suggested
that the repetitive motion and static flexion involved
when using a computer causes irritation and swelling of
the flexor tendon sheaths, resulting in the impingement
of the median nerve and the diagnosis of carpal tunnel
syndrome. Though this is not conclusively proven in studies,
what is proven is that any task that involves excessive
use of the hands in activities that require duration, repetition
and force does in fact cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by a nything that
involves excessive unidirectional movement patterns that
require too much force, duration and repetition, as the
overused muscles actually become stronger, shorter and
tighter than their opposition, the extensor muscles. The
stronger flexor muscles begin to compress the carpal tunnel
and the median nerve within. The tendons that pass through
the carpal tunnel (a small area between the carpal bones
and the transverse carpal ligament in the wrist) can become
swollen from doing the same movement over and over, like
typing on a computer for extended periods of time.
Some people might think that carpal tunnel syndrome is
a new condition of the information technology age, born
from long hours of computer keyboarding, but carpal tunnel
is not new, it just seems to appear more often because
the nature of work has changed. More jobs are highly specialized
and require the overuse of only a small number of muscles
repeatedly, leading to a muscle imbalance. If one muscle
group is overused, then the opposing muscle group must
be underused. It is basic common sense.
Because of the underlying assumption that computer use
contributes to carpal tunnel syndrome, concern from the
government and employers continues to grow. Ironically,
studies out of the Mayo Clinic released by the government
seem to actually show that using a computer does not increase
the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. There are
arguments over why this is.
The test showed that those who worked a long period of
time every day with computers had the same percentage of
becoming afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome as everyone
else. One of the suggestions for the reasoning is that
the continued use of computers would only affect people
who did not practice appropriate form. People who are employed
to work with computers are generally better trained in
how to type from home row, how to keep their wrists straight,
use ergonomic keyboards, chairs, screens, mouse and know
how to use good posture. All of these factors can help
decrease instances of carpal tunnel syndrome, which in
turn can help keep the number of injuries down. On the
other side of the equation, computer use by individuals
who hold their wrists and fingers improperly, put unequal
pressure on their hands, don't use ergonomic tools or proper
posture may become afflicted with cause carpal tunnel syndrome
more frequently than those using appropriate form and proper
ergonomic tools.
This may certainly be the reason why the belief that computer
use causes carpal tunnel syndrome remains strong, even
when testing suggests otherwise. Individuals trained in
how to properly use a computer will know what or what not
to do in most cases. Computer users engaged in a good ergonomic
prevention program at work will know which stretches and
exercises to perform, know how to use good posture and
utilize the latest ergonomic equipment, and hence not experience
the same injuries and muscle imbalances as say someone
who does not use appropriate form, ergonomic tools or perform
muscle balancing exercises and stretches.
While the studies suggest that extensive use of a computer
does not contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, even that
piece of information should come with its own caveat, that
being that proper use of a computer appears to not increase
the chances of carpal tunnel. But people certainly need
to learn to use proper posture, use good ergonomic equipment
and know appropriate stretches and exercises to perform
because excessive use of the computer without proper hand
positions or use of poor equipment leads to imbalances
in the hands, wrists, forearms and shoulders that can contribute
to the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.
With carpal tunnel syndrome being so prevalent in the
past decade, it is best to take all preventative methods
available and implement them into one's daily work regimen.
It is easier to prevent an injury than having to address
it once it is already present. Prevention is the cure for
carpal tunnel syndrome.
BSI Staff - Includes Therapists, Inventors and Researchers
that work together to provide information to Corporations,
Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world for the
treatment of muscle imbalances affecting the upper extremity. Balance
Systems, Inc.
