Typists may experience some stiffness or tingling in their wrists throughout the day. These are the early indicators of carpal tunnel syndrome, the great bogeyman of everyone who uses a computer. Since office workers spend so much time typing on the keyboard for extended periods, wrist pain is a common problem. The best wrist rests are offered on the market with your needs in mind to lessen your back pain. Wrist rests come in various sizes, shapes, and materials, including gel, leather, silicon, wooden models, and memory foam, all available online. Even though it might seem sensible and logical to buy a fancy keyboard wrist rest, it is not always the best decision. When typing, is it advisable to use wrist rests? It is a common thought among writers and office workers.
Yes! You can prevent wrist pain by using wrist rests while typing, which is good for your health. Wrist rests help you avoid pain, but you can still type with your hands and wrists in their natural positions if you keep that in mind. Consequently, purchasing the best wrist rest for the keyboard is very advantageous if you work in an office and are a typist.
What does Wrist Rest mean?
Wrist rests for keyboards are simple devices. Just in front of the keyboard, it passes beneath the wrist. It is to increase comfort and make maintaining proper posture simpler. You can see the results immediately if your hands are bent, which is not advised. You may experience wrist and shoulder pain if you have to use the computer for extended periods, whether for work or gaming. Once you feel this way, you should try a keyboard wrist rest. You should try using a keyboard wrist rest if this happens to you.
Wrist rests do not serve their primary purpose all day long. It is designed to be used for tasks like scrolling or reading a website when you are not using a keyboard. Keeping your wrist flat over the keyboard while you type is recommended. The wrist rest might not be necessary if you can maintain your posture flat. You may later run into trouble if you flex your wrist.
Different Types of Wrist Rests
Wrist rests come in a wide range of designs. Some are made of plastic, resin, gel, memory foam, and even wood. Some wrist rests offer more support than others, so not all have the same advantages.
Memory Foam Wrist Rest
Memory foam is produced using supple polyurethane. There are various varieties of memory foam, including traditional and gel-infused varieties. Traditional memory foam retains body heat and takes the shape of the user. However, memory foam with a gel infusion is more breathable and cooler than regular memory foam. This memory foam contains heat-resistant gel beads or liquid to absorb body heat. Because they are comfortable and supportive, memory foam wrist rests are frequently found on expensive gaming keyboards. The soft memory foam absorbs the hands’ pressure.
Additionally, memory foam wrist rests have some drawbacks. Some of them cost much money, especially if they contain gel. Some memory foam wrists require routine cleaning because they can absorb sweat and odors.
Gel Wrist Rest
Gel wrist rests are extremely comfortable due to their softness and generous support. They have a bouncy feel and return to their normal shape as soon as the user raises their arm, unlike memory foam, which molds to the shape of the hands. Gel wrist rests can maintain a cooler temperature for longer than memory foam alternatives. Compared to memory foam alternatives, they are less prone to absorbing sweat and odors. Although it depends on whether the exterior is made of plastic or fabric, gel wrist rests are easier to clean than wood alternatives.
Just like all other wrist rests, gel products have some disadvantages. Because the versions with plastic coatings aren’t as soft as fabrics, some users don’t like how they feel. Durability is another issue. Even though it’s highly unlikely, gel wrist rests could leak and damage other accessories or parts.
Wood Wrist Rest
Compared to memory foam substitutes, wooden wrist rests feel harder to the touch. They offer a more solid foundation and frequently have smoother surfaces with lower friction. Wooden alternatives to memory foam wrist rests are more durable, sweat-and odor-resistant, and don’t easily wear out. Using a damp cloth to wipe them down is all that is needed to clean them.
Like other wrist rests, it has a few disadvantages as well. Many users find wooden wrist rests uncomfortably due to their hard feelings. Depending on the brand and model, a wrist rest like this may cost more than memory foam alternatives.
Is a wrist rest beneficial or harmful?
When buying a keyboard wrist rest, the question of whether they are advantageous or detrimental is the first thing that comes to mind. You must therefore be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of wrist rests before you purchase a keyboard wrist rest.
The Advantages of Wrist Rest
1. The wrist rest for keyboards lessens wrist pain and prevents Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
2. It lets you type for longer periods.
3. Wrist supports to relieve pressure from your shoulders.
4. It prevents your muscles from becoming overly tight.
5. It prevents the wrist from bending in the back.
6. It improves your typing speed.
7. It offers a more erect and comfortable wrist posture.
8. It relieves a lot of headaches and neck pain.
Disadvantages of Wrist Rest
1. Some wrist supports are too heavy to use.
2. Wrist rests for keyboards with sharp edges are uncomfortable.
3. Heavy wrist rests might cause the wrist to flex forward.
Optimal Typing Postures
Suppose you want to avoid developing carpal tunnel syndrome while typing; having a safe typing posture is crucial. We have developed the following tips to prevent wrist pain and improve typing accuracy.
Arms Position
To improve your typing experience and prevent wrist pain, adjust the height of your chair and keyboard so that your elbows form a 90-degree angle, and your arms are close to your sides. Maintaining a calm and relaxed posture with your arms is necessary. The chair height needs to be increased; however, if you feel uncomfortable, your shoulders are rounded toward your ears.
Head Position
An improved head position is crucial when typing on a keyboard. Remember that your head is always fixed on the screen and that you need to get better at touch-typing if you want to be able to turn it away.
Wrist and Hands
To avoid wrist pain, remember that your wrist should be parallel to and floating above the keyboard. Keep your wrist straight while typing on the keyboard with your fingers curled over the keys.
Should you purchase a wrist rest?
If chosen carefully, a wrist rest can be beneficial. One should start by examining how the desk is set up overall. Employing ergonomic best practices at work will lower the possibility of muscle sprains and injuries and may even do away with the need for wrist rests. The key considerations are:
1. The configuration of your desk must enable you to evenly distribute your weight to prevent heavy wrist contact with the desk surface. Your elbows should be 90–110 degrees from the desk or chair armrests, keeping your shoulders from being raised.
2. The point of contact for your wrist rest should be the heels of your palm, not your wrists.
3. A good wrist rest should have rounded edges and be soft. For your wrists to reach a neutral position, they must be adjusted to the width, height, and slope of your keyboard. The more strain the wrists are put under, the more they are bent toward or downward. Less or no wrist support is required for keyboards with a flatter design, whereas thicker support is required for those with increased height and slope.
4. Remember that using a separate wrist rest when using a mouse can be very helpful.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that preventing even the smallest injuries can prevent the later development of more serious issues. Because of this, everyone should conduct a risk assessment of their desk and place of employment (both at work and home) and have a good ergonomic workstation. Treating your health with respect makes it the most valuable possession you have.
While some people are born with good posture, others must work. Sitting up straight can be difficult, and typing with a floating wrist can be even more difficult. Therefore, I advise you to use a wrist rest until you are an icon of posture. For those who work all day in front of a computer and keyboard, wrist rests are a very useful tool. It will reduce wrist pain and improve typing speed and accuracy when you use a wrist rest while typing on the keyboard. A soft piece of gel is much kinder on your wrists than the edge of a desk, though it won’t completely protect you from carpal tunnel syndrome or other wrist injuries. If you don’t give it a shot, you’ll never really know if it’s more comfortable or not.
I sincerely hope you found it enlightening. You were reading it was a pleasure for me. Please share your thoughts on your favorite wrestling rest in the comments section.