Be careful of mouse hand when using a computer

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What is mouse hand? Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as mouse hand, refers to symptoms that occur when the median nerve in the human body is compressed as it passes through the pathways in the palm. It mainly causes pain and numbness in the index and middle fingers, as well as weakness in the muscles of the thumb. More and more people these days spend long periods of time each day using computers; most of these internet users repeat the tasks of typing on the keyboard and moving the mouse on a daily basis. Due to long-term, intensive, repeated, and excessive activity of the wrist joints, paralysis, swelling, pain, and spasms in the wrist muscles or joints can occur, making this condition a rapidly growing modern disease associated with civilization. Some people refer to this set of symptoms, which differ from traditional hand injuries, as mouse hand. “Treatment for \"mouse hand\" using muscle stretching: For those who work frequently with computers, excessive use of the mouse can cause pain in the wrists; in such cases, clenching your fists can bring significant relief. The principle of the fist-clenching exercise is to increase blood circulation and enhance tendon flexibility through repeated actions of clenching and releasing fists, thereby reducing injuries caused by local limb fatigue. The specific method for making a fist is as follows: First, relax all parts of the body and spread the fingers of both hands wide, holding this position for 20–30 seconds each time, repeating the exercise 2–3 times ； In the second step, inhale, clench your fist tightly, exhale forcefully, and at the same time quickly extend your little finger, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger one after another. Do 10 times with each hand ； Third step, use the index finger and thumb of one hand to massage the fingers of the other hand, starting with the thumb – spend 10 seconds massaging each finger. You can also use the following method: 1. Use your watch as a helper tool, and rotate your wrist 25 times in a clockwise direction and 25 times in a counterclockwise direction. Effect: Relieves muscle soreness in the wrist. 2. Hold a water bottle with a weight in your hands; first, hold the bottle with the palms facing up and perform movements from a naturally hanging position to an upward position, then hold the bottle with the palms facing down and perform movements from a downward position to an upward position. Repeat each set 25 times to exercise the wrist flexor muscles. It can effectively prevent and treat bone hyperplasia in the wrist, as well as enhance wrist strength. 3. When stretching various parts of the body, also stretch the fingers of both hands firmly for 20 to 30 seconds each time, repeating 2 to 3 times. It can enhance joint resistance and promote blood circulation. 4. Use the index finger and thumb of one hand to massage the fingers of the other hand, starting with the thumb; spend 10 seconds massaging each finger, while breathing steadily. It can promote blood circulation and relax the body and mind. 5. Bring the palms together and move them up and down to generate slight heat through friction. It can promote blood circulation in the hands. 6. Shoulder stretch: As the left arm is stretched to the right, the neck should be stretched to the left. Make sure the arm is not raised too high, keeping it at a certain distance from the chest, so as to avoid any feeling of pressure. Hold for 30 to 45 seconds each time, then switch to the right arm. In the early stages, carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by fatigue and numbness in the fingers and hand joints; some joints may also produce a slight clicking sound when moved, symptoms similar to those of what is commonly referred to as \"stenosing tenosynovitis\". However, more joints are affected in this condition than in tenosynovitis. The carpal tunnel is not an independent organ; it refers to a tubular-like structure located at the wrist joint, bounded on the palmar side by the transverse carpal ligament and on the dorsal side by the distal radioulnar joint. Most of the blood vessels and nerves that lead to the palm pass through this structure. Hand surgery experts believe that mice cause more damage to the hands than keyboards, as when using a mouse, people repeatedly perform mechanical movements with one or two fingers, and this monotonous and slight movement can also strain the ligaments in the wrist. Other professions that may have a similar impact, such as musicians, teachers, editors and journalists, architects, etc., are all related to frequent use of the hands. According to relevant studies, women are the most affected by carpal tunnel syndrome; their incidence rate is three times higher than that of men. The majority of cases occur in people aged 30 to 60, as women’s carpal tunnels are generally smaller than those of men, making the median nerve in the wrist more prone to compression. In addition, some pregnant women, people with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disorders may also develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Do not work in front of the computer for extended periods of time; after using the mouse for an hour, it is necessary to do some exercises to relax your hands. In real life, it has been found that the higher the mouse is positioned, the greater the strain on the wrist ； The further the mouse is from the body, the greater the damage to the shoulders. Therefore, the mouse should be placed at a slightly lower position, corresponding to the height of the elbow when the upper arm is perpendicular to the ground in a sitting position. The position of the keyboard should also be similar to this. Many computer desks do not have a dedicated spot for the mouse, and placing the mouse on the desk while working for long periods can undoubtedly cause harm to one’s health. The distance between the mouse and the body also increases when the mouse is placed on a table; the strain resulting from this is borne by the shoulders and elbows over time, which is one of the causes of neck, shoulder, and wrist syndrome. When the angle between the upper arm and the torso remains below 45 degrees, the distance between the body and the mouse is appropriate; if it is too large, the forearm will pull the upper arm and shoulders forward, resulting in continuous strain on the joints and muscles. Elevating the swivel chair can also prevent \"mouse hand\". If it is difficult to adjust the mouse position, you can place both the keyboard and mouse on the desk and raise the swivel chair. The desktop is lowered relative to before, which reduces the distance between the body and the desktop. Placing the mouse in a scientific manner will **reduce the risk of developing ‘mouse hand’, allowing every office worker who spends time in front of a computer to carry out their work easily and happily.