Wrist rests are frequently used but rarely implemented correctly, thus adding more injury than benefit.  Take a few minutes to check if you are using your wrist rest properly.

The Benefits of a Wrist Rest

Ergonomic wrist rests are designed to improve and maintain good posture and positioning for your wrists and hands. Wrist rests:

• * keep  your wrists straight while using your keyboard
• * remove arm weight from the shoulders and neck to reduce tension and soreness
• * prevent the hands from dropping off the edge of the keyboard
• * relieve pressure on the wrists’ tendons
• * provide padding to a hard desk or other surface

Proper Use of a Wrist Rest

Because most people never learn how to correctly use a wrist rest, they never experience the above benefits. Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind these tips to remember when using a wrist rest:

1. Never place your wrists directly on a wrist rests (or any other surface for that matter). “Wrist” rests are actually made for the ball of your hand.  As such, rest your palms on the rests to bear the weight of your arm to avoid irritating the sensitive carpal tunnel area.
2. Only use the rest between periods of typing, not all the time. Wrist rests are made to give the palms of your hands a break between typing.
3. While typing, keep your wrists straight with your hands floating freely over the keyboard. Your arms, wrists, and hands should form a straight line, in both height and angle.
4. Finally, a good wrist rest should be high enough that it is roughly even with the front of your keyboard; its width should extends the entire length of both your keyboard and mouse.

By knwoing what benefits a wirst should provide you, it’s easier to remember these essential tips for using it correctly.