By LANIE PIMENTEL
petunia5045(at)gmail.com

Last week I spoke about the funky word ergonomics. It is a developed technique that allows the body to work efficiently with the least amount of stress.

While in the office, this is mostly tailored by positioning one’s workstation appropriately to align the body and the eyes at a “neutral” setting. Positioning the chair, desk and monitor at the right levels to ensure that the body is comfortable all day for the most productive, least restrictive stance.

But there is much more to ergonomics than a very expensive chair and desk. There are toys. Lots and lots of them. And when I say toys, I mean, well, I’m the kind of gal that really enjoys walking the aisles slowly of Office Depot and Staples!

This ergonomic keyboard is the newer generation of the funky “hilly” keyboard that have been around the block since the 1990s. Again, using the same thought process, they are designed to keep the hands at a neutral position. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a key motivator for companies to devise such a keyboard. If a keyboard isn’t used correctly over the span of years, one runs the risk of developing Carpel Tunnel — which is painful to live with and requires surgery to correct.

This keyboard may look like the one most are used to typing on. But a closer look will reveal that the number pad is actually located on the left side of the keyboard. Makers feel that the left hand can utilize the numbers easier since they are more in reach than they are with the right hand (usually needing to jump over arrow keys and curse jump keys). Additionally, the right hand does not need to move as far to control the mouse. Only a small right hand movement is needed when switching from typing to moving the cursor.

No need to run to the store and get yourself a brand spanking new keyboard if you want to keep your hand closer to the mouse pad. Simply look into this product.

This mouse bridge will keep the mouse suspended over the keypad for a lot less of the cost!

I’m sure this number pad contraption can be considered ergonomic, but I thought it to be very cleaver. It is a USB number pad that can be attached to a laptop (because most laptops have the numbers above the keys, which in my opinion is not number crunching friendly). This also enables our fellow left-handed computer users easier access.

On to mouses. Or Mice? Hmm…

I have never seen a rodent quite like this one, and I’ve seen a lot. Not that I have ever thought using a mouse was stressful to my hands but what do I know? Newer generation mouses (mice? Here we go again) have a roll-y ball that eliminates the need to moving your wrist all around the mouse pad. This version keeps the hand in that “neutral position,” almost like a handshake.

This arm rest (that to me looks like something from the Terminator movies) is designed to relieve tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulder, wrist and arm areas from frequent reaching for the mouse.

I believe in the next item. This cushion of love is soft and comfortable on the wrists when your wrists spend all struggling and hovering over the keyboard and mouse. It is made from gel and gives just the right support and just the right amount of cushion.

Ever go home with tired eyes and a headache from staring at the computer monitor for eight or more hours? This nifty screen filter gets attached over the monitor and reduces 99 percent of the glare and reflection. Wow, my eyes feel better just thinking about getting one of these.

This next toy definitely was designed for telemarketers, customer service representatives, or well, people who love to talk on the phone.

The hands free telephone headset allows the user to speak on the phone sitting in a neutral stress-free position and allow both hands to sit comfortably and efficiently on the keyboard. No more cranking the neck to keep the phone receiver up to the ear while trying to type. That repetitive behavior is terrible on the neck and back — and it hurts! This model is relatively inexpensive compared to the variety out there.

Last week, I showed you chairs that cost over a thousand dollars. I can not afford such a luxury, but I can afford a pillow. It may not be able to accomplish all the things an ergonomic chair can, but it will however help motivate good posture and support the lumbar.

My last observation of products on the market is a piece of software.

This program demonstrates proper stretching to increase circulation, relieve tension, boost your energy level and help guard against Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs). The software periodically reminds you to take a break, will suggest and show some exercises to do while at your desk. When complete, the program will return the user to the current application.

It is amazing to me to see what is out there for the office worker bee to utilize. Most of these toys are pretty costly, but education is the biggest toy around. Being knowledgeable of what tools are out there for our disposal will keep us conscience to the stresses we put our bodies through. So the next time your boss needs some unpaid work to be done, try insisting on a few of these gadgets to “help you work more productively.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 4th, 2007 at 12:01 am and is filed under The Workplace. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.