Do You Fit Your Computer?
Joe Grant, PT, ATC, EdM
Does your neck or back hurt after spending time on the computer? Are you "fit" to your computer? Chances are various members of your family use your home computer, and most likely, not all computer users are exactly the same size. If dad is tall and sister is small , the computer will need to be adjusted for each. A good rule of thumb is to adjust your chair first, your keyboard and mouse second, and your monitor and documents third.
Proper body mechanics include sitting with your feet flat on the floor and your back positioned against a solid lumbar support. Place your keyboard and mouse at equal heights and in close proximity to each other. Avoid placing your wrists on the keyboard at extreme angles. This can reduce the risk of carpal tunnel sydrome, a condition in which the operator experiences numbness and tingling in the hands after keyboarding. Also use the arm rests on your chair to reduce shoulder fatigue.
Finally, position the monitor and doucments at eye level, directly in front of you. The monitor should be approximately an arm's length away. Inexpensive modifications to your computer system are as simple as raising your monitor with a phone book, or purchasing a wrist rest for use with your keyboard. Making these modifications can make you ergonomically efficient and physically "fit" to use your computer.
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