Properly Using Your Mouse
- Hand and arm positioning:
- Hold the computer mouse loosely- do not firmly grip.
- Do not rest your wrist or forearms on the mousing surface. Try to use your whole arm and shoulder to move the mouse to allow larger, stronger muscles to move the mouse.
- Have your upper arm hanging close into your side.
- Your elbow should be bent at 90 degrees.
- Do not use wrist rests because they can cut off blood supply through the wrist.
- Take frequent breaks!
- Mouse Settings:
- In your mouse set up program, select a low computer mouse speed and switch off or lower acceleration. This will help make sure that you do not get in the habit of overusing your smaller wrist muscles.
- Trackball:
- You would not have to move your whole arm because the mouse is stationary. This can reduce strain on the arm, shoulder, back and neck.
- Work is evenly distributed among fingers.
- Quill:
- Complies with government standards
- Keeps the wrist and hand in a neutral resting position
- RollerMouse:
- Having a stationary mouse sitting in front of the keyboard eliminates the need to reach and grip the mouse allowing the wrist and hand to stay in a neutral resting position.
- You are able to switch between left and right hand to distribute the workload.
- Utilization of a digital click instead of manual click helps prevent trigger finger.
