For people at work wrist and lower arm pain can be a widespread problem, especially for those using computers and laptops daily.
Although not all pain and issues arise from the workplace, it can be common that this is where most symptoms present themselves and can become increasingly problematic if not treated and the root cause identified.
Office workers can often attribute this pain to their desk set-up. This can include issues with desk height, chair height or even the equipment they are using.
Many of these problems can be identified and corrected with a quality Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessment.
Ensuring a correct ergonomic set-up for all users of DSE can help to reduce both long-term and short-term aches and pains and ensure a positive working environment.
Unlike checklist DSE assessments, CPW’s assessments involve a human element, where the assessor talks to the user to better understand any individual issues.
What can I do to relieve and prevent wrist pain at work?
Our expert DSE Assessors advise that simple wrist exercises can help relieve some of the aches and pains associated with working at a desk.
Wrist exercise 1
The first of which can be a wrist flexion stretch.
Extend your arms forward, so that your palms are facing down.
With your one hand, push the other hand down without moving your arm so that the wrist is bent forward. Keep pushing your fingers towards your chest for 15 to 30 seconds with your arm still extended and elbow straight.
Do this with your other hand. Perform each set three times for each side.
Wrist exercise 2
Wrist extension is another exercise that can be carried out at your desk throughout the working day.
To perform this movement while you are sat at your desk, simply extend your arms out in front of you.
Using your other hand, pull the fingers of one hand back so that the palm is facing forward. Hold the pose for 15-30 seconds, making sure your elbow is straight, before switching to the next palm.
Keep repeating the wrist stretch until you’ve done three sets for each side.
Need further help with wrist pain?
A team of experienced assessors can come into the workplace and offer advice on improving your employees’ set-up.
As well as offering on site DSE Assessments our expert assessors can conduct remote DSE Assessments to ensure your staff both in the office and remote workers can be safe in the workplace.