There exists no single way of prevention method for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The ergonomic methods can help to minimize the risk of work associated Carpal Tunnal Syndrome or other cumulative trauma disorders. There are some other prevention methods like adjusting your workplace or work in such a way the it puts less stress on hands and wrist. Even the exercises those strengthen the fingers, wrists, forearms, hands, shoulders and the neck can help to prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. However there is no evidence that doing the above mentioned things can provide complete prevention from Carpal Tunnal Syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be prevented using the study of ergonomics, which is the study and control of stress, motion, posture etc., The repetitive activities of a person that causes inflammation in the wrist and hand can be prevented by simply altering the way he performs them. For example going for an ergonomic chair can let a person to sit in neutral posture.

Taking short breaks can also prevent Carpal Tunnal syndrome. A person does repetitive tasks should go for short warm-up period, take frequent break periods and there by avoiding over effort on the finger muscles and hand.

The key cause of Carpal Tunnal Syndrome is posture so utmost care is to be taken to have perfect neutral posture especially for those who are in typing jobs and computer jobs. A keyboard user should sit in such a way that the spine should be against the back of the chair, the shoulders should be relaxed, the elbows should be along the sides of the body, the wrists should be straight and the feet be firmly placed on the floor or on a footrest. The keyboard should be placed within the eye level, so that the neck does not bend over the work. This will help to keep the neck flexible and head remains upright, which maintains circulation and nerve function to the arms and hands. If the office furniture is not ergonomic then it may lead to improper posture, which ultimately lead to Carpal Tunnal Syndrome.

Another key cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is Forceful usage of fingers and hands. The extra force exerted on the fingers, hands and wrist can lead to repetitive tasks which ultimately leads to Carpal Tunnal Syndrome. The tools and tasks should be designed in such a way that the wrist position is same as that when they are in relaxed position will avoid the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. There should be no task such that the wrist for long periods stay deviated from side to side or to remain flexed or highly extended.

I think, however, that an innovative approach is needed to deal with these issues.

I would offer that the only way to strike at the heart of the problem is to greatly reduce the number of keystokes required to produce any level of output. More bang for each keypress.

We all are familiar with abbreviations such as ‘tv’ for ‘television’, ‘ea’ for ‘each’, or ‘USA’ for ‘United States of America’. Suppose it were possible to utilize technology to take these (and far more) keyed in abbreviations and convert them to their corresponding expanded text. In the process you will have greatly reduced the number of keystrokes required to produce a far greater level of output. Then, regardless of your current typing speed or dexterity your productivity would be increased commensurately. (200 keypresses might output 450 letters of text for sake of argument) Not to mention the fact that the number of typing (spelling) errors made and requiring correction would be reduced in kind.

This type of software solution will facilitate both the reduction of the incidence and effect of typing related repetitive motion injuries and the return to a competitive level of productivity with far less effort for those already suffering the effects of Carpal Tunnel.

Some examples may help to clarify.

Type . Output …………… Savings

tt … that ………………. 50%
ts … this ………………. 50%
nf … information ………… 82%
ub … unbelievable ……….. 83%
wu … would ……………… 50%
wuu .. would you ………….. 66%
naoi . in and of itself ……. 75%