Four Ways an Ergonomic Keyboard Can Improve your Health

The more we type, the more we realise that comfort when keyboarding is key. Aches and pains can develop in the shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands when typing for long hours due to the repetitive nature of this motion. 

When using a traditional keyboard, your hands and wrists tend to be placed in a position that is not natural. An awkward or bent wrist position can increase the load in the structures around the wrist and create pain that translates into the forearms and shoulders.  

You may have heard about ergonomic keyboards before but might not understand the differences between them and a regular keyboard. Therefore, it’s important to understand the advantages to using an ergonomic keyboard before getting one that is right for you. 

While there are many benefits to using an ergonomic keyboard, listed below are four ways they can improve your health:

1. Wrist/ Hand Support and Comfort

Ergonomic keyboards provide the appropriate amount of space for your hands, wrists, and forearms to operate while typing which improves comfort and eliminates strain. 

The Evoluent Compact Keyboard is a full featured keyboard but has no number pad, which means you can bring your mouse closer to you. Additionally, the arrow, F1-F12, PgUp and PgDn keys are full sized, unlike most other compact keyboards which have those keys in smaller than standard size. 

2. Reduces Risk of Injury 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common injury that occurs from pinching of the nerve in your wrist. This condition can be extremely uncomfortable and can cause numbness in your hands and fingers. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to keep the hands and wrists in neutral, flat position when typing which can help mitigate risk of injury. 

The Number slide Keyboard has a low profile which allows you to adopt a flat wrist position and has a built-in numeric pad that slides out when need it. Conversely, the keys on the Ergoapt Compact Wireless Keyboard require low activation forces, which reduces the force generation required by your muscles to type. This means less chance of injuring the tendons in your hands.   

3. Supports a Healthy Posture 

By placing your wrists properly on the keyboard, you encourage good shoulder positioning, which ultimately affects your whole-body alignment. If you are already experiencing shoulder, wrist, or hand pain, investing in an ergonomic keyboard is crucial.  

If the repetitive action of reaching across the keyboard to use the mouse is aggravating your shoulder pain, a Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard is beneficial as its compact design allows you to position your mouse closer to the midline of your body.  

4. Improves Productivity by Increasing Typing Speed

Typing in a natural and relaxed way means your typing speed will increase—this is an added benefit of using an ergonomic keyboard. You might need to get used to your device first before you start to notice this change. 

Think about it for a moment. If your fingers are positioned better and your wrists and forearms are comfortable, you will be able to accomplish more tasks in less time. This means improved performance and productivity, and ultimately reduced time spent at your desk!