Strategy

Here's how to position your hands when you use a computer so they don't hurt

Rebecca Harrington

2016-03-16T13:58:00Z

If you're reading this on a computer right now, look down at your hands.

Are they at weird angles? If so, you could be putting too much pressure on the nerves in your wrists.

And if you have carpal tunnel, this off-kilter positioning could make your symptoms feel worse.

Carpal tunnel occurs when a specific nerve in the wrist is compressed, causing numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers.

There are only three treatments that are proven to help, but positioning your hands correctly might keep you from getting it in the first place.

Dr. Aaron Daluiski, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, had these images drawn up by medical illustrator Mike De La Flor, and he shared them with Tech Insider.

Here are the right — and wrong — ways to use a keyboard and mouse:

Make sure your hand is in line with your wrist. Your wrist should not be bent up or down when your hand is on a mouse:

Keep your hands straight. Your fingers should be perpendicular to your keyboard:

And place the keyboard at a height that ensures your hands stay in a neutral position with your wrists:

Health Medicine