How Office Ergonomics Might Contribute to Elbow Pain

How Office Ergonomics Might Contribute to Elbow Pain
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The elbow joint is intricate, enabling the hand and forearm to extend, flex, and rotate. Since most arm movements involve a blend of these actions, experiencing pain in the elbow can make many of these movements challenging or even impossible. For individuals who use computers, elbow pain can impede productivity and slow down work.

Elbow Pain During Your Day

  • Nerve Entrapment: If you tend to slouch over your computer or lean on your desk while typing, you may put too much pressure on your elbows. Common signs of nerve entrapment include arm numbness, tingling, and hand weakness.
  • Elbow Tendinopathy: While overuse injuries like tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow most often affect athletes, they can also develop in office workers. Repetitive movements with desk equipment, such as a mouse or keyboard, can similarly be as strenuous on the tendons as throwing a ball or swinging a racket. Indications of elbow tendinopathy include discomfort in the elbow while utilizing the wrist, pain while operating a mouse or keyboard, and weakened grip.

Tips To Help Improve Your Workspace

Switch It Up During Your Day

Try switching between sitting and standing at work to help give your back a break and reset your posture. If you use a standing desk, make sure the desk height is set so that your monitor is at eye level and your elbows bend at about a 90-degree angle.

Check Your Equipment

Ensure your mouse is the right size and shape for your hand. A mouse that’s too small can cause muscle tension to build in the hands, wrists, and arms. You can also add a wrist pad to your desk to help elevate your arms and reduce pressure on your nerves.

Give Your Elbows A Break

Scheduling regular breaks to pull yourself away from your keyboard can improve your productivity in the long run. Your body needs a break from repetitive movements, even if those movements are considered minimal.

Plus, scheduling regular breaks from work to relax and stretch can help you mentally reset, refocus, and reduce stress.

Get Rid of Elbow Pain with Help from Airrosti

If elbow pain is interfering with your level of activity or work, schedule an appointment with Airrosti today!

Airrosti Providers aim to uncover the root cause of pain and treat injuries at the source by combining myofascial release with at-home active care exercises for strength and mobility. This targeted treatment plan leads to efficient, long-term injury resolution in an average of three visits (based on patient-reported outcomes).

Schedule an appointment with Airrosti today and return to your workspace pain-free. We offer in-office and virtual visits to suit your availability.

For more information, call us at (800) 404-6050.


Read our Medical Disclaimer here.

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