Articles, Ergonomics

The Computer Injury That Is Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Is your little finger numb?

Many computer users worry about hand problems. People with hand pain or numbness often assume they have carpal tunnel syndrome (CT). But a less known problem could be the source of the pain. Thoracic outlet syndrome hurts just as intensely as CT. It is caused by poor posture as you sit at the keyboard. The good news is that these and other computer-related injuries will go away. With good posture and work habits, you can be pain free again.

What is Thoraic Outlet Syndrome?

The thoracic outlet is a space between your collarbone and first rib. Through that space go major nerves, arteries, and veins that supply your whole upper extremity. Poor posture for a sustained period of time makes the thoracic outlet smaller and puts pressure on those nerves, arteries, and veins. This can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in your shoulders, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers.

What causes Thoraic Outlet Syndrome? Anything you do that pushes your body into a “C” shape with your shoulders hunched forward can cause Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TO):
Sitting hunched over a laptop.
Leaning forward at your desk chair.
Sitting in a chair without upper back support.

How is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome different than carpal tunnel? Sitting at your desk, raise your elbows to shoulder height and point your forearms toward the ceiling. Your arms and your head should form the shape of a letter “E” lying on its side. If your hands feel odd or tingly, you could have or be at risk of TO. In carpal tunnel, there is never any problem with little finger. In TO, there are symptoms in all of the fingers and all of the hand.

How can you prevent Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? With correct posture and exercise, you can prevent or cure TO.

Posture:
Sit with your upper back against the back of your chair.
Hold your head straight.
Adjust your chair correctly.

Exercise:
Walk to strengthen the muscles at the front and back of your spine.

11 thoughts on “The Computer Injury That Is Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”

  1. Your style is really unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this web site.

  2. This is the right webpage for everyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject that has been discussed for ages. Great stuff, just excellent!

  3. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been doing a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this matter here on your site.

  4. Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon every day. It will always be interesting to read articles from other writers and use something from their web sites.

  5. Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?

    you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is magnificent, let
    alone the content!

  6. I blog frequently and I seriously thank you for your information. Your article has truly peaked
    my interest. I’m going to book mark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week.
    I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  7. May I just say what a relief to discover somebody that actually knows what they’re talking about
    online. You certainly understand how to bring a
    problem to light and make it important. More
    people ought to check this out and understand this side of the story.
    I was surprised that you are not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

  8. Hello everyone, it’s my first pay a visit
    at this web site, and post is truly fruitful in support
    of me, keep up posting these types of articles or reviews.

  9. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before
    but after looking at a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyhow, I’m certainly pleased I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *