Computers and Injury Prevention

Using a computer can be tough on your body
Sitting for a long time in positions that aren't natural for your body can strain your hands, wrists, back, and eyes. Over time, this can result in pain and a kind of injury called a repetitive stress injury.

Sitting Square in Your Chair
The way you sit is important. To sit square in your chair, put your behind in the center of the seat. Your legs should bend at the knees and rest on the floor. If you are too short to do this, use a footrest or find a box or a stack of books to place under your feet.

When sitting your back should touch the seat back the whole time. Try not to slouch or lean over the keyboard while you type. A chair that has lower-back support can help you do this.

When you type, sit so your elbows are bent at 90-degree angles (like an "L"). Your wrists should be straight, not angled up or down so your fingers rest gently on the keys of the keyboard. And if it feels like you have to stretch your fingers to reach the keyboard, move it closer to you.

Try to keep your fingers and wrists level with your forearms (the lower part of your arms). A wrist rest can help you stay in the right position. If your wrists are starting to hurt, or you are waking up at night with wrist pain, you may be getting an overuse injury (this is also called carpal tunnel syndrome). If you're having this kind of pain, you might need to see your doctor.

Be good to your eyes
Any time you're using the computer, your eyes are hard at work. Be kind to them by positioning the monitor 18 to 20 inches (46 to 51 centimeters) away from your face. At this distance, you shouldn't have to lean in to read what's on the screen.

Take a Break
Here's a good piece of advice: Don't get so involved in the computer that you neglect other parts of your life - be sure to take breaks. Make computer time just one of the activities you do, instead of the only thing you do.

Computers and Injury Prevention             Choose the best answer. 1. Sit ______________ in your chair. and eat poutine and smile square 2. When sitting your back should touch the seat back ____________. the whole time occasionally 3. Try not to slouch or ___________. make computer nerd jokes play hopscotch lean 4. Too much typing may lead to a wrist problem called carpal _______________. roid minster tunnel syndrome 5. Position the monitor _________________ from your face. ten meters 46 to 51 centimeters (18 to 20 inches) 6. Be sure to _____________. take breaks wear only designer shoes 7. Computers should be _______________________. at the center of your life only one part of your life Press when complete. Your score: