Health-Hack Dot Com

Scott Reeves, a Personal Finance Editor at Forbes.com, has posted a somewhat misleading article on the prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury. While mainstream coverage of preventive tips and techniques is a wonderful thing, Mr. Reeves has managed to get a few things wrong.

Regarding wrist rests, he says: “A wrist rest will flatten out your hands and provide needed support.” Wrong-o. “Wrist rests” are there to remind you to elevate your wrist, not as a resting surface. Resting your wrist on a wrist rest causes compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. In some cases this will cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and can certainly worsen it for those already suffering CTS. The word “rest” in the phrase “wrist rest” is confusing. Think of it as a wrist guide.

Refering to chair adjustment, Reeves writes: “Add or remove extra cushions and padding as you see fit. Arm rests or no arm rests? It’s up to you.” There are actually some pretty good guidelines available for how to tailor lumbar padding and arm rests. “…as you see fit…” and “It’s up to you.” are only useful with some explaination. See below for proper guidance on these areas.

Aside from the above errors, it is an interesting article, especially since we don’t often see this issue addressed from the “Capitalist Tool” perspective (that used to Forbes’ slogan).

Article:
Business Basics: Avoiding Repetitive Strain Injury [Forbes.com]

For more information:
Making Your Workstation Safe, the quick guide to Office Ergonomics. [Our original eBook as a free PDF. Please consider becoming a member of HHDC if you download it. It's Free! It's Easy!]