In this video, Dr. Copeland shares about the right way to work on the computer.
Over the years I've given patients hints on what to do as far as activities of daily living. These are
helpful hints regarding anything, from how to lift to using heat and ice, to
just anything regarding everyday activities. In this series of videos, I'm sharing those with you.
The next thing I want to talk about are laptops and desktop computers. Once again, the issue with the computers is going to be the neck curve and the position of your head. So if you’re looking down at a laptop, there’s not a lot you can change about that. Laptops are designed the way laptops are designed. However, the desktop computer is a little different; you have a lot more control over what you can do in this situation.
When you’re sitting at a desk with your desktop computer, you want to make sure that your monitor is at eye level, because if it’s down too low, you’re going to be looking down at that computer monitor, which again, is not good for the neck. So you want the monitor at eye level; that’s the first thing regarding sitting at a desk with your computer.
Now the next thing regarding sitting at a desk with your computer happens to be with the keyboard itself. Often, when you’re at a computer and you’re at a desk, you will rest your arms on the edge of the desk. That’s a problem because what can happen is you can begin to induce carpal tunnel syndrome.
Now let’s talk about carpal tunnel syndrome. If you don’t know what carpal tunnel syndrome is, this is what it is. There are two rows of four bones in the wrist; making eight total. Now they create a little tunnel such as this. Now what happens is, through that tunnel, all the tendons that allow you to flex your fingers have to go through that tunnel. What also goes through that tunnel is your median nerve. The median nerve goes through your thumb, the first finger, your middle finger, and half of your ring finger.
If you’ve ever hit your funny bone and you feel the pain going down in through your little finger and half of your ring finger, that’s the ulnar nerve. It’s the other nerve that innovates the hand. That does not go through the carpal tunnel itself; it’s outside. It’s a very exposed nerve, but the median nerve goes through the tunnel. If this tunnel begins to close up, then what happens is you will feel it in the thumb, first finger, this finger, and half of this finger. It’s very specific.
Now what happens sometimes if it you’re resting your hand on the edge of the desk, you can actually close off that nerve that goes to your carpal tunnel. What happens there is – a nerve is hollow just like an artery is – you can close it off and you get symptoms of carpal tunnel. So just be mindful of that.
If you are one of those people who rests your hands on the edge of the computer table, make sure that you put a rolled up towel there or a rubber mat, and that will help soften the area and it won’t cut off the nerve going to the carpal tunnel. So those are the main issues regarding sitting at a desk.
Dr. Charles Copeland is a chiropractor in Louisville, Kentucky. This blog includes information about chiropractic and helpful tips to prevent injuries, improve posture, and alleviate back pain and headaches. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. for
additional information.