When it comes to working on your computer the most commonly effected joint (other than those of your spine) is your wrist. The wrist was not designed to be held in a palm back or palm forward position for long periods of time.

Furthermore, the rapid typing on a computer causes the tendons that go through your wrist to your fingers to be under constant stress. Nearly all the motor activity of your fingers comes from the muscles in your forearms.

• Avoidance of wrist strain (also called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome):

Along with your neck, upper back, and lower back stretches you can perform the following for your wrists:

-take your left hand and pull your fingertips of your right hand towards your forearm backwards with a gentle stretch and hold for a count of 10; do the same with your right hand pulling your fingertips of the left hand towards your forearm backwards with a gentle stretch and hold for a count of 10. Perform each maneuver 3 times.

Proper positioning of your hand and wrists while working on the computer is essential to avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. You fingertips and bottom surface of your wrists should be at the same level when typing on the computer.

If your wrist is too low you will put a strain on the wrist tendons. If your wrist is too high you will actually strain your forearms (you could actually develop Tennis Elbow).

A wrist pad that fills in the space between the top of your keyboard and the surface your keyboard is on will help to keep your wrist in the neutral position. Alternatively, a rolled up towel will suffice.

ALL THE JOINT STRETCHES ARE TO BE DONE EVERY 2O MINUTES, HOLD FOR A 10 COUNT, AND REPEAT 3 EACH. IF YOU HAVE PRE-EXISTING PAIN YOU SHOULD BE EVALUATED BY YOUR PRIMARY CARE PRACTITIONER.