Working too long on a computer is the worst. Our bodies were designed to get into that position. But they weren’t designed to stay there long term. Speaking from experience, this results in chronic discomfort and pain.
Ergonomic devices matter for people who use a computer for long periods.
Poor ergonomics can lead to repetitive stress injuries rsis, back, neck and shoulder pain (just to name a few).
These can lead to lower productivity in the long run, due to physical pain, less energy, and low mental clarity.
Investing in ergonomic equipment, that’s designed to reduce the risk of computer pain, can significantly enhance comfort and performance.
8 Ergonomic Devices For Computer Use
Ergonomic devices are more than accessories. They are valuable assets that improve my quality of life.
In my experience, they have effectively helped prevent common issues like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is understanding how ergonomic peripherals can reduce risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Ergonomic setups have improved my comfort for long hours of computer use. Not just while I’m at my desk, but when I’m away from it, too.
What Are Ergonomic Devices
Ergonomic computer devices are tools designed to promote natural body alignment and minimize strain. They improve comfort and efficiency during computer tasks.
They can be input peripherals, supports, or workstation accessories. They are tailored to human movement, rather than forcing users into unnatural positions. I want my ergonomic office equipment to be assets that promote good posture soon as I sit down.
What Are The Advantages Of Ergonomic Devices For Computer Use
Reduce risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) by supporting neutral posture and reducing unnatural motions.
RSIs occur when I keep muscles activated for long periods of time. This will eventually happen, regardless if my posture is good or bad.
But if I don’t have neutral posture AND I’m making unnatural motions, the onset of tension, pain, and dysfunction will happen much more quickly.
Ergonomic workstations reduce strain, which will essentially reduce pain.
Improve comfort and reduce fatigue, allowing longer periods of focused work with less discomfort.
Discomfort and fatigue are the main enemies of my work productivity. An important variable is using non-ergonomic devices. If my monitor is too low, my keyboard is too tall, or my chair is too low, all these factor in to my comfort level. A poor comfort level leads to fatigue and low work productivity.
Enhance posture and alignment, helping reduce shoulder, neck, and back strain associated with poor workstation setup.
Neck and back are one thing. Those are understandable areas of pain when working on a computer. Because we naturally tend to slouch forward, when placing our hands on a keyboard and mouse for long periods of time.
But shoulder pain from a computer? Why?! Lol. I can fix this if I adjust height correctly of my ergonomic chairs. To learn how, check out how to improve posture while sitting at computer. That link will take you to my free eBook titled, 3 Ways to Improve Computer Posture Immediately!
Increase productivity by enabling more effortless typing and mouse manipulation and reducing downtime from discomfort.
Wrist pain used to be a daily part of my life. Until I realized my tall keyboard and mouse were causing it. They caused me to extend my wrist, so I could lift my hands up onto these bulky, non-ergonomic devices.
That’s why I use a flat, ergonomic keyboard and ergonomic mouse now. These allow effortless typing and mouse manipulation, while keeping my wrists in a straight, neutral position.
Include notes about long-term ergonomic health and potential reduction in healthcare costs for people using computers daily.
A catchy tagline in office culture is “Sitting is the new smoking.”
But I disagree! It’s more like “Sitting is the new car accident.”
Because a sedentary lifestyle not only affects my cardiovascular health, it affects my physical and mental health too.
That’s why I alternate between sitting and standing, multiple times throughout my workday. I also make it a point to take breaks at work when I need to. These healthy habits won’t solve all my problems, but they will alleviate a lot of them.
Taking a long-term approach to my ergonomic health has been a breath of fresh air, compared to my old, broken down, non-ergonomic desk setup.
Ergonomic Computer Devices
Ergonomic Keyboards
I’ve tried split, curved, and tented layouts. Manufacturers, and some ergonomic experts, claim these designs reduce wrist extension and ulnar deviation. I’m not disagreeing, but I just didn’t feel comfortable using these designs. Built-in wrists pads or palm supports may help maintain neutral hand position. They just didn’t feel natural to me, regardless if it helped me maintain good wrist and neutral hand position.
I’d much rather work on a flat, low-profile keyboard. It’s still the same concept as the old classic keyboards. But they aren’t as bulky and tall. They allow me to put my wrists in a flat, neutral, straight position. This is what’s most comfortable for me.
Ergonomic Mice
Vertical or contoured mice promote a handshake grip that may reduce forearm and wrist pronation. And trackball alternatives are good for users who want minimal wrist movement. But I’ve tried all these options. I just couldn’t get used to them. They didn’t feel natural.
Similar to my keyboard, I feel most comfortable and natural with an old, classic mouse. But it has to be flat and low-profile. Because I don’t want to extend my wrist to lift my hand up onto the mouse.
Monitor Stands and Laptop Risers
One of the most important rules in my ergonomics process is to have correct monitor height. I want the top of my monitor screen to be even with my eye level.
I can accomplish this a few ways:
- use an adjustable monitor stand to raise my external monitor
- use a monitor arm to get correct (external) monitor height
- use a laptop risers that lifts my entire laptop, but if I’m going to use my laptop monitor at this increased height, I make sure to use an external keyboard and mouse, not my laptop keyboard
All these options with reduce my neck strain and improve posture throughout my entire body. Because once part of my spine is held out of alignment, it’s like a chain reaction that affects my entire spine.
Adjustable Desks and Chair Supports
Height-adjustable desks
A sit-stand desk allows alternation between sitting and standing to reduce prolonged static posture. My height adjustable desk makes this transition quick and easy.
Lumbar cushions
Not everyone needs a lumbar support. Sometimes I use one, sometimes I don’t. I usually use one later in the day, after I’ve been sitting at my computer most of the day. As fatigue sets in and my lumbar curve starts to flatten out.
Lumbar cushions help me encourage a neutral spine and reduce lower back stress. The lower back is such an important part of my posture. If there is a problem there, it’s likely to transfer other problems to other parts of my body.
Document Holders and Input Placement Tools
Document holders
For office workers who need to read from a reference material often, a document holder can keep the paper at eye level to avoid repetitive head and neck movement from looking down at the desk.
Input Placement Tools
If you have to work at a desk that is not height-adjustable, and the desk is also too high, a keyboard tray may help lower your hands to the correct position (slightly below my elbows, 2 to 3 inches, is my personal preference).
All of these ergonomic devices are great examples of ways to improve posture at computer.
Thanks for your interest in computer posture.
Todd Bowen – Computer Posture Correction and Pain-Free Ergonomics: For Office Workers Who Want to Delete Their Sitting Pain
P.S. If you liked this article, you’ll love the digital store I just published.
🙏 Thank you for supporting my work. -Todd