October is National Ergonomics Month
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are everywhere in today’s business world. These and other hand-held electronic devices allow millions of Americans to check and compose e-mail, access the Internet, exchange instant messages, and manage their daily schedules. While not everyone owns a PDA, almost everyone owns a cell phone. Many new phones have features similar to those found on a PDA. These devices and features have led to the development of a 24/7, always-accessible work week.
Buzz terms such as “BlackBerry thumb“ and “tech neck” are being used to describe the physical symptoms experienced by overuse of these devices.
BlackBerry Thumb
PDAs are often equipped with a miniaturized QWERTY-style keypad, which allows users to type with the thumbs. The thumb is not designed for the repetitive movements involved in typing. Injuries related to overuse of the thumb include aggravation of arthritis and/or thumb extensor tendonitis called deQuervain’s Disease. The term BlackBerry thumb has recently been coined to describe injuries related to PDA use and the thumb.
Tech Neck
Symptoms of tech neck include rounded shoulders, pain between the shoulder blades, knots in the shoulders, a tight neck, possible migraine, and numbness and tingling ("pins and needles") in the forearm down to the fingers. These symptoms usually result from performing activities with the neck in flexion. By now we have all heard that the computer monitor should be set up in a position where the top of the monitor is at or slightly below eye level for most users, to promote a healthy, neutral posture. This position should also be adapted to other activities, such as reading documents, playing video games, and, of course, using hand-held electronic devices.
When sending e-mail or text messages on a PDA or cell phone:
- Hold the device so that the screen is at or slightly below eye level. This allows you to keep your head in a neutral posture without putting pressure on the cervical spine.
- Hold your elbows close to your body to minimize fatigue to your arms.
- Use a docking station or wireless network to synchronize with a traditional computer for reconciling e-mail messages, folders, contacts, and other information to your desktop computer and vice versa.
- Reduce keystrokes by creating AutoText entries. The desired phrase will be substituted any time the AutoText entry is typed. For example, a user might create an AutoText entry that replaces ttyl with talk to you later or slm with see last mail.
- Use an external keyboard, such as the CoolMIR – a USB-based device that can be rolled up to fit in the user’s pocket. Using this or another nearly full-size keyboard for longer e-mails and documents will decrease the demands placed on the thumbs.
- Place the PDA on a work surface and type with your fingers. Alternating between the two typing styles may help prevent the onset of symptoms.
- Pay attention to your body. It can take only a few minutes of heavy thumb typing to cause damage. Before you begin to feel discomfort or fatigue, take a break, stretch, and work on something else for a few minutes. Suggested stretches can be found on the American Physical Therapist Association Web site. Another resource is Stretches for Office Workers - e17126), which is also available through your Loss Control Consultant or by calling your local District Office.
- Avoid sending messages while walking, and NEVER send messages while driving. Find a spot to sit if you’re walking. If you’re driving, pull over, and shift the gears into Park.
Related Links
The information herein is for reference only, and State Fund does not warranty its accuracy or fitness for a particular purpose. Any products, references, or links to Web sites are not an endorsement by State Fund or its employees, but serve only as examples to assist you with your workplace design changes. State Fund cannot be held liable or accountable for content on linked Web sites.
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