What is keyboard injury?
Keyboard and computer injury in general is now a common cause of lost working time and an increasing number of regular computer users are experiencing symptoms. The symptoms and injuries are known as:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).
- Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).
- Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD).
- Upper extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorder (UE-CTD).
- Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS).
- Work-related Musculo-Skeletal Disorder (WMSD).
- Tendonitis.
- Focal hand dystonia.
- and more.
People with these injuries feel pain in one or more parts of the body, such as the arms, hands, neck, shoulders. Early signs of injury include the experience of numbness, tingling, tiredness, pain or weakness in your upper body, arms or legs.
Why is it important?
All computer users, and particularly intensive users, should be aware of the importance of correct posture and habits, as computer and keyboard injury is a major risk for regular users. We have tried to emphasize that with the animated warning provided by typeSmart in the Comfort & Safety module.
The eText Method has been designed to minimize the chance of injury associated with using the keyboard. However, it certainly does not guarantee against injury. The correct posture and habits is as important in learning the eText Methods for other computer use, as well as for optimum creativity and productivity.
You may think you can ignore advice about the risk of keyboard injury with impunity and you might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later it will catch up with you!
What causes keyboard injury?
According to ergonomists, keyboard pain and injury is caused by:
- Muscles and tendons being used over and over again to make the same movement in repetitive activity.
- Poor posture, causing muscles and tendons to be held stiffly in the same position, as at a computer keyboard.
- Working too fast, not being trained properly, using badly designed equipment, and mental stress.
