The Healthy Desktop

Getting aches in your wrists, shoulders or back after working at the computer all day? Join the crowd. Maladies related to working at the desktop for long periods are sharply on the rise, increasing in correlation to usage of the personal computer.

However, there are simple, preventative steps that you can take to avoid computer-related injuries. Here’s an overview, take from The Computer User’s Survival Guide by Joan Stigliani (O’Reilly & Associates):

Lower or raise your chair so that your feet are flat on the floor.
Keep your low and middle back against the backrest, adjusting the rest’s height to fit the contours of your spinal curves.

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Relax into the backrest and let the chair support the weight of your torso. This is critical.
Position the keyboard and mouse to promote a neutral arm and wrist posture — not too far from the body, and not too high or low. Your arms and wrist should feel comfortable and rested in this neutral posture. Some type of arm or wrist support is a good idea.
The monitor should be at about arm’s length. The part of the screen you look at the most should be between eye level and about 20 degrees below.
Take frequent breaks, stretching your muscles for relief.