What Are the Advantages of an Ergonomically Designed Keyboard?

With more and more people using computers for so many hours on a daily basis keyboard manufacturers are now adding warnings attached to the equipment to warn people against prolonged use. Typing on a regular keyboard for long periods of time is known to lead to discomfort, fatigue and a risk of injury such as the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an injury characterized by chronic severe pain in the wrists and shoulders and is one of the most common work-related illnesses in office workplaces. It is associated with repetitive, unnatural motions, such as typing with a non-ergonomic keyboard. It can result in long-term joint and nerve damage, reducing your productivity at work and even making you unable to go work.

All these effects can be minimized by using an ergonomically designed keyboard. This type of keyboard is designed to allow a more natural positioning of the arms and hands and due to its smaller width, the mouse is kept closer to the user. This reduction in distance allows the mouse to be in a more ergonomic position, making it more comfortable for the user to work with. If you are interested in purchasing an ergonomically designed keyboard to prevent injuries from typing, know that there are many different types to choose from, and each design offers particular advantages for preventing or relieving the conditions mentioned above.

• One of the most popular types of an ergonomically designed keyboard is the split keyboard. It features a design that divides the traditional keyboard layout in the middle, canting each part at an angle. While a traditional keyboard forces users to put their hands inward and bend their wrists outward to reach the angle of the keys, a keyboard that is ergonomically designed keeps the wrists straight and allows the arms to be in a much more natural angle.
• Another common design is the contoured keyboard, which features the keys placed into two depressions at the shoulder. This allows the user to keep their both arms perpendicular to the body. A different design comes with the keys mounted vertically, which allow users to type with their hands in a vertical position, preventing wrist rotation.
• Ergonomic keyboards also often come with wrist rests to keep a good vertical hand position. They may also come with an alternative pointing device like a touchpad, to minimize the distance necessary to reach and operate with the mouse.

Improve your health and productivity at work with an ergonomically designed keyboard. Search online or visit some of your local stores to find the right one for you!