Warm Hued Mouser Mouse, Computer Ergonomics, Hand Injury, Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis

Warm Hued Mouser Mouse, Computer Ergonomics, Hand Injury, Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis

from Warm Mouse

We are all concerned these days about the amount of time we spend on the computer clicking the mouse and pounding the keyboard. Ergonomics are important, and the key to reducing the onset of computer related hand injuries like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Repetitive Strain Injury and Cumulative Trauma Disorder.

So, why all the fuss about designer mice? The computer mouse has been the focus for designers for many years. It's the one computer peripheral available for design modification. There's a mouse shaped like just about any object imaginable, plus there's a variety of multi-funtional mice - the fan mouse generates cool air, the warm mouse generates infrared heat, the message mouse generates a digital message.

The Mouser Mouse appears to be designed of wood and etched stainless steel. It has a classy looking pattern and skeletal design construction. It appears to look easy to hold with clicks made to the two etched components. Would it be comfortable? Not sure. For those who spend endless hours using the computer mouse everyday, it's questionable as to the amount of cumulative trauma our hands receive. To take a proactive approach to redcuing the onset of hand injury we can't stress enough the use of infrared heated computer products. The deep healing effect of infrared heat soothes aching muscles and relieves stress. One of the major benefits of healing infrared heat is living the day without stress and feeling relaxed. Stress and tension caused by hand pain prevents us from completing computer related tasks. Using USB heated hand warmers: warm mouse, warm mouse pad, warm keyboard pad and mouse hand warmer help create comfortable time using the computer.

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Here's what others say about the Warm Hued Mouser Mouse:

Ergonomic computer mouse versus stylish mouse
from Tech Pin

It’s your choice, after all, but, as you know very well by now, ergonomics doesn’t get along very well with style. Usually, people have to satisfy themselves with only one of the aspects they are looking for. Especially because, if you think about it, a mouse is a mouse, and there’s nothing to do about making it look more artistic.

However, you probably seen already those shiny devices adorned with tons of LED lights or Swarovski crystals, that some of the customers are crazy about. They are said to be artistic, but allow me to express my contrary opinion.

Now, here we have another example of an artistic mouse, created by designer Andrey Chirkov, which has a modern touch, looking as minimalistic as possible. The Mouser, ‘cause this is how it’s called, is made from two materials, which are different as far as the qualities and the texture are concerned. There’s the warm pliable wood, on one hand, which is like a eulogium to the retro style, and there’s the cold hard metal, on the other hand, like a recognition of the modern times.

“This symbiosis of two substances – technical and biological, demonstrates the harmonic combination of precise working mechanism and natural ‘live’ coat. Exterior of the mouse corresponds to the qualities of the materials: based on hard metallic frame, a kind of skeleton, which houses electronic plate, buttons and drive of the rolling wheel. The mechanism is hidden behind the wooden details of flowing form. Visually buttons are picked out of the whole volume, seems that they are hanging in the air.”

For the moment, we’re talking about a concept, so the details about the price and availability are not known. However, it might give you a helping hand when trying to decide between an ergonomic computer mouse and a stylish one.

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Mouser mouse screams geek desire in style
from GizmoWatch

A unification of constructive technology and valuable construction, this computer mouse attracts the geek considering the multifaceted, comfortable and pleasant build we have in offer in this near original instrument. Designed by Andrey Chirkov, the mouser (that how the mouse is called I suppose) is made in two materials with different qualities and texture. The pliable wood gives the mouse an artist retro look while the hard metallic frame used for the buttons gets it back to the modern manifestation. The buttons seems to be hanging in mid air, as the flowing form of the wood only helps the metal finish rest on the skillful body, while the original construction of the rolling wheel adds to the finishing details of the splendor. Not made for serial production initially, therefore we have no details on the price of the mouse.

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The Mouser is sure to turn heads
from Coolest Gadgets

As common as a computer mouse is, there are few that could ever be considered artistic. Some are shiny with LED lights or small crystals, yet they have a certain mass produced look to them. This mouse designed by Andrey Chirkov is one of the few I would call artistic. Surprisingly it’s not steampunk either, that usually is the only way gadgets get a little bit of a creative twist to them. Instead this has a minimalist modern look, while still being pretty.

The down side of such a mouse is that I’d be petrified I would break it, since it does have a flimsy look. You’d almost rather put it on display than mess it up by using it on a daily basis. As of now it’s still a design though, so you won’t be able to purchase it. However, with a look like this I’m sure those with plenty of money to burn will be dying to get their hands on it. Wealthy investors means that this might actually be created for purchase. Even if that does happen though, the general public won’t likely ever see anything like this at their local store.

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Here's some information about computer-related hand injury:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - An Overview Of The Causes And Symptoms
by Brooke Hayles

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a highly painful condition which is caused as a result of the inflexibility of a particular chief nerve in the wrist. This condition occurs when the central nerve, which extends from the forearm to the hand, is highly stressed or compressed at the wrist.

Cause

Carpal tunnel syndrome can happen during daily activities because of the excessive pressure applied on the wrist nerves while performing lifting or similar types of stress activities. This results in pain, numbness, stiffness or itching in various parts of the hand.

This syndrome is usually associated with hard physical stress and is considered a work-related hazard. The best way to avoid this problem is to reduce or avoid the activities that would put excessive pressure on the hand and fingers.

Symptoms

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are gradual and would start with soreness, stiffness or deadness in the wrist and other parts of hand. There can be severe pain right from shoulder to finger tip.

Later when the problem is at a severe stage, one may feel itching in the hand, pain and reduced gripping capability. The person may even find it hard to shape the fist, grab or carry light objects, and may find difficulty in carrying out physical tasks involving hand operations. Unfortunately, no one is sure why this problem occurs. It is found in certain people because of an innate predilection – that is when the carpal tunnel in the body is not normal and is comparatively smaller or weak. However, the threat of carpal tunnel syndrome is very common in people who perform assemblage line jobs that involve heavy hand movement.

The bones in the human wrist are typically arranged in an uneven manner, in the form of a semi-circle. A tough ligament, known as the carpal ligament, builds a kind of roof above these bones. This forms a passage called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve, as well as the tendons that help the bending of the fingers and wrist, passes along this tunnel. The median nerve is one of two nerves that gives the hand the feeling ability. This nerve also controls some of the thumb muscles.

The carpal tunnel is perfectly and firmly positioned. If any swelling occurs inside or in nearby areas, the tunnel crushes on the medium nerve and generates the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tasks like typing, knitting, playing musical instruments like the piano or violin, or the continuous usage of vibrating tools involve constant wrist moments and may result in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Injured or damaged wrists are also vulnerable to develop this condition easily. Rheumatoid arthritis is yet another factor that would aggravate the problem. The disease Acromegaly is another sitaution where growth hormones are formed excessively. Under-active thyroid gland, fluid retention which is caused by kidney failure and even pregnancy can make pressure inside the carpal tunnel, causing the median nerve to be affected.

It has been found that overweight people, pregnant women, women who use contraceptive pills and those experiencing menopause are prone to carpal tunnel syndrome, even though it seems to come without any apparent reason.

Symptoms of the disease also involve aching, tingling, burning, deadness, or pain in the hand and wrist and also in those areas that are linked to the median nerve (index, thumb, middle finger, part of the ring finger). There are also chances that the pain could spread to the arm as well as the shoulder.

These symptoms of pain would normally be higher at night times and in the early morning. Also after heavy labor or work that involve strenuous wrist movements.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can affect either or both hands with varying severity. In the beginning stage, the symptoms will come and go, but ignoring them would result in chronic pain and would be more difficult to cure. If not treated early, the hand muscles will gradually become feeble and may even result in permanent loss of feeling. Simple tasks like writing would become difficult or even impossible.

Summary:

Carpal tunnel syndrome has become a common problem that happens because of the acute pressure on the wrist nerves that results in aching, deadness, or tingling in various parts of the hand. This can also be a work-related hazard. These types of problems can be avoided by stopping or reducing the activity that exerts pressure on the hands, fingers, and wrist.

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Throbbing Hand Pain: Can it be Caused By The Neck?
by admin in Neck pain
from Neck Pain Blog

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I have been helping patients with neck, arm, and hand pain in downtown San Francisco for many years now. I can tell you this…sometimes hand pain is not what it seems. What I mean by that is…we are conditioned to think the cause ofpain (when we feel it) is at the site of the pain…and it usually is…but not necessarily when it comes to the spine.

Here's the deal…the nerves that exit from the spine control all the body parts. The nerves that exit from in-between the bones in the neck travel down the arm and into the hand. The nerves that exit fromthe low back travel down the leg. If one of these nerve roots has any pressure on it from a boneout of place (subluxation), which is very common…it can cause pain to be perceived at the target cells…the hands or the feet.

Now if you work on the computer a lotusing your hands…and all of the sudden your handsstart to throb with pain…the first thing you are going to thinkis do I have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or a problem in my hand, and you might. But chances are…you are not going to think, Gee…I wonder if I have Cervical Radiculopathy(radiatingpain from nerve root compression) from the neck?…especially if there isno neck pain…and there doesn't need to be.

Seems strange…but it'strue. In fact…my 17 years treating back, neck, and wrist pain has taught me that…more often than not…hand pain is from the neck…especially with officeworkers…and they make upthe majority of our patient base in the SF FinancialDistrict.

So the moral of the story is this…If you have hand pain, and you spend a lot of time on the computer…don't just assume the problem is in the hand…becauseit might be in the neck. Find yourself agood chiropractor and get checked out.

To find out if you are a candidate for care at Executive Express Chiropractic at the SF Embarcadero Center…call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

sfbackpaindoctor.com

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Thumb and wrist pain: The case of Ruby Q.
by Christina Abbott

Ruby Q. was a regular Neuromuscular Therapy patient in my metro-west Boston clinic for stress-related muscle pain in her neck and shoulders. Upper body tension is often the cause of pain in the forearm and hand when there is repetitive stress. (E.Pascarelli, MD) The connection between upper body tension and hand and arm pain is that when circulation is reduced by tight muscles, the arms become starved and polluted.When there is repetitive use, the working muscles don’t have the nutrients and oxygen they need to be healthy. Pain and injury result.

Ruby was extremely conscientious, spending long hours in her office and getting minimal sleep from thinking about work all the time. She was on the computer all day in a very stressful and responsible job and held a lot of that tension in her arms and hands. She had a previous injury falling onto her hand, but the pain in her wrist and thumb seemed to have come out of nowhere. At first pain would come and go, and when it occurred it was during movement. Local thumb pain was strong with shooting pains into her forearm. Her wrist became involved and was at times swollen and excruciatingly painful.

As a Neuromuscular Therapist how do I think about these injuries and how do I treat them? The posts that follow are about causes and symptoms of thumb and wrist pain, about Ruby’s treatment, and about things you can do yourself to relieve thumb and wrist pain.

Tagged as: Acute pain, Arm pain, Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), Hand pain, Joint pain, Neuromuscular therapy, Repetitive stress

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Arthritis may be exacerbated by computer use
from Medical Condition News

According to researchers in the United States using a computer can have an impact on those suffering from arthritis. Even though computers have become increasingly common in daily life, little is known about how their use on a daily basis might affect those with arthritis; it is estimated that as many as 56% percent of the workforce use computers at work and 62% of households own one.

Arthritis is a leading cause of work disability, and those with the disease may have difficulty performing physically demanding jobs, and may opt for jobs that appear less strenuous but require intensive computer use.

Computer use is a known risk factor for pain and musculoskeletal disorders and arthritis sufferers are more at risk because of difficulties performing tasks due to pain, restricted movement, muscle weakness, or fatigue.

A new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has examined this topic in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) and fibromyalgia (FM).

The study involved 315 arthritis patients who completed a specially-designed survey that contained questions on computer use, discomfort experienced while using a chair, desk, keyboard, mouse and monitor, and problems associated with each piece of equipment.

The results showed that many people with arthritis experience both discomfort and problems that could lead to work limitations: 84% of respondents reported a problem with computer use attributed to their underlying disorder and 77% reported some discomfort related to computer use.

Of the three categories of disease, significantly more respondents with FM reported severe discomfort, more problems and greater limitations related to computer use than those with RA or OA.

Nancy A. Baker who led the study says because those with arthritis may experience pain and discomfort even under ideal circumstances, it is not surprising that the prevalence of respondents reporting discomfort with computer use is considerably higher than the general population of computer users.

The problems experienced included finding a comfortable position while using the computer and in manipulating the keyboard and mouse.

The researchers say it was expected that those with RA and OA would have more problems manipulating the keyboard and mouse than those with FM because of their restricted movements but in this study those with FM reported more problems.

The researchers suggest this may be due to a number of reasons - people with FM may have increased clumsiness due to abnormalities in sensory processing or fatigue, they have diffuse rather than localized pain that may affect manipulation, or because those with movement limitations, such as RA and OA, have found it easier to adapt their environment than those with unpredictable diffuse pain, such as FM.

The researchers say in recent years, numerous products have been designed to reduce discomfort and problems during computer use, such as adjustable chairs and monitors and adapted keyboards and mice, and providing people with arthritis with appropriate strategies and equipment to prevent computer problems, may significantly reduce work limitations and prevent those with arthritis from discontinuing computer use.

They also suggest that computer use in the home appears to have a greater potential to place people at risk for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, since most people do not set up their home computer environment to reduce risk factors - those with arthritis should therefore have both their work and home computer set-ups evaluated to ensure that problems are minimized.

The team point out that as the ability to use a computer is one method of preventing work limitations and eventual disability, as well as a vital tool for both work and home activities, health professionals must work with people with arthritis to identify problems experienced during computer use and implement computer workstation modifications to ensure safe, effective, and comfortable use of all computer equipment.

The study was published in the May issue of Arthritis Care & Research and was funded by the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.