Health & Injury Problems Associated With Computer & Keyboard Use

Repetitive motions of computer use can trigger a number of health problems. Many of these problems can also be caused by other repetitive tasks, such as driving, construction and playing the piano. To prevent and treat these problems and avoid more severe health risks, users should know the early signs of a problem and adjust their working style.

Eyes

• Eyestrain is one of the most commonly cited health concerns with computers.

  Eyestrain is the No. 1 complaint of those who work with computers for an extended time. Users may have dry eyes or temporarily blurred vision, or be unable to focus on distant objects. They can avoid eyestrain by positioning light sources to eliminate glare; avoiding excessively bright screens; and taking frequent breaks to look away from the screen for a moment, blink and look around the room.

Back

• Back pain is common among computer users.

  Poor posture when using a computer for a long time can result in back and neck pain, headaches and shoulder or arm pain. This results from repetitive motion in the hands, wrists and fingers combined with the lack of motion in the neck, back and shoulders. To avoid these problems, computer users should take short breaks to stretch the fingers, arms, hands, back and neck. A break of only a few seconds every 10 to 15 minutes can help avoid long-term injury.

Wrists

• Forming good habits can protect the wrists.

  Extensive computer use has been shown to damage the wrists of some users. This injury has been called repetitive strain injury, occupational overuse syndrome, cumulative trauma disorder and work-related upper limb disorder. Repetitive strain injuries can progress to the debilitating carpal tunnel syndrome.

  Ergonomic and posture adjustments can help considerably. For example, forearms and wrists should be kept straight when typing and the monitor should be positioned so the user's eyes are level with the top of the screen. See Resources for some recommended exercises and ergonomic improvements.