Working for long hours on a computer without break brings along plenty of health issues, one of which is hand and wrist pain. Yes, if your work includes fast-typing or updating Google sheets regularly, there’s a high chance that you might experience wrist or elbow pain.
Why does this happen and what are the repercussions you may ask – that’s what we are here for today! We have got you the causes and prevention of chronic wrist pain due to endless keyboarding throughout the day.
Reasons for sudden wrist pain
First things first, it doesn’t directly start with wrist pain. If by any chance you are working wrongly on the keyboard or computer, you will experience back pain, neck pain, stiffness or soreness. When left unnoticed, these symptoms extend adding a few more symptoms like pain in the shoulders, arms, wrist, and hands. In case of tingling and numbness, it can be nerve issues.
One basic reason why typing results in wrist pain is that you are doing it all wrong. Later in the blog, we have shared some tips to prevent the condition. Keep reading.
There are several reasons why your wrist and hands pain, such as:
Arthritis: It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. If you are diagnosed with any of the two main types of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience pain in the wrist and hands due to continuous work on the computer.
Cubital tunnel syndrome: Also called ulnar nerve entrapment, it is a condition of nerve damage that involves compression of the ulnar nerve (the one in the elbow).
Carpal tunnel syndrome: Much like cubital tunnel syndrome, this condition causes tingling, pain, weakness, and numbness in the wrist. It happens when the tendons swell and press a nerve in the wrist.
The difference between carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome is the former affects the nerve in the wrist whereas the latter compresses the nerve in the elbow. The symptoms of the two are mostly similar.
Prevention of wrist pain
Without any hint, you might be working in the wrong way for all these months or years! It is one of the highest possible reasons as per various research and studies carried out by different medical bodies across the world.
Here are some ways of modifications that you can adopt for a healthy work-life balance. It will promote good posture and lower the risk of bone issues.
- Set up your workspace: Make sure you arrange the keyboard, mouse, and monitor well in sync with your body size and height.
- Sit in a straight posture: Do not lean forward or hunch while working. Sit straight and in comfort at your desk.
- Change your position: Take breaks in between work hours. Don’t sit for hours at stretch. Stand and walk a little every couple of hours.
Note: Do not just focus on the position of your arms. Ensure your whole body is in good posture – your back, neck, shoulders, arms, and wrists.
Reach out for medical assistance
If the pain is unbearable and changing your work lifestyle helping neither, it’s time to reach out to an orthopedic surgeon. Your orthopedic specialist will carry out some preliminary tests like X-ray, hand movements (physiotherapy), etc. before suggesting treatments for the diagnosed condition.
However, maintaining good posture and a comfortable workspace remains a priority to avoid wrist and hand pain while working.