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Wrist Rest Mouse Pad – Is It Good or Bad?

Wrist rest mouse pad good or bad? A mouse wrist rest is good for you only if it promotes proper and neutral posture when working with a mouse. The wrist rest is bad for you if it hinders your hand movement. Before buying a wrist rest mouse pad, be sure to fix your sitting posture to achieve better working alignment.

Are you suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome? When using your computer mouse, does your wrist or hands experience pain and discomfort? If so, this is a serious issue that you need to address.

If these symptoms flare up while you are using your computer mouse, then you might need to consider buying a wrist rest mouse pad to help relieve the pain.

However, you might be thinking to yourself, is it the right thing to do? In this article, we will take a deep dive into this problem while answering the important question of the wrist rest mouse pad – good or bad?

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How You Use Your Mouse May Cause You Pain

In the world of ergonomics, posture is everything. One slight misalignment might cause serious damage to your body in the long run. That is why we can’t stress the importance of good posture.

When using your computer mouse, the technique you use to grip it, to the way you move your mouse may bring you discomfort without you realizing it.

One of the most common pitfalls to anyone spending time behind the desk is flicking their mouse cursor by using their wrist often. This is one of the leading causes of discomfort experienced by most computer mouse users.

The best way to go about this is to focus on using your arms to move the cursor instead of only using your wrist. This will remove unnecessary tension.

Another to keep in mind is to always maintain a neutral posture. While using your keyboard and mouse, try to keep your elbows close to the sides, with your arms bent, forming a 90-degree angle. This will ensure that your upper body stays relaxed and pain-free.

Match your mouse to your Hand Size 

While often overlooked, your hand size can make or break the comfort levels of your mouse devices. If your mouse is too big, your forearms might need to endure extra tension while you work. This means you need to buy the proper mouse for small hands.

On the other hand, if your mouse is too small, you will not be able to grip the device properly to move it around with ease. You need to choose the best mouse for your big hands.

While this is a simple issue, addressing the size of your mouse, together with maintaining proper working posture, will work wonders in relieving chronic wrist pain.

Setting up the proper ergonomic workstation, including the monitor and keyboard, will ensure that you remain comfortable throughout the day. 

The size of your mouse matters. A wrist rest may be good or bad.

Maintaining a neutral position and keeping your wrist straight are important to achieve proper ergonomics and maximum comfort.

Should You Consider a Wrist Rest Mouse Pad?

Most of the time, addressing the simple issue of your working posture is more than enough to alleviate the pain you experience while working behind a desk. If so, we don’t see the need for you to buy additional accessories.

Your personal circumstances can dictate whether or not you will be needing wrist rest mouse pads, so be sure to properly listen to your body.

However, if you are still having discomfort — particularly in the wrist area — after fixing your posture, then maybe a wrist rest mouse pad may just be the thing you need. Many people have reported significant relief from their pain by using wrist rests.

Because the human body is interconnected, fixing one area can result in better comfort throughout the whole body. Keep in mind that the end goal of using wrist rests is to help keep your wrists maintain a neutral position while you are working behind a computer.

If your working environment is designed in a way whereby only a wrist rest can help you achieve it, then, by all means, get yourself the best wrist rest that offers superior hand support.

The Risks of Using Wrist Rests

On a side note, however, using a wrist rest may not be suitable for some people. We understand that every human body is different in its own right, therefore, what works for you might not work for someone else.

Using a wrist rest may cause more trouble than fixing the situation. If your wrists bend ever so slightly, it may end up putting unnecessary pressure on the nerve associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Even leaning your wrists in an awkward position on your desk for extended periods of time may result in undesired outcomes. It’s imperative to maintain a neutral position at all times.

Final Takeaways

At the end of the day, there is no definitive answer to whether or not you should use a wrist rest mouse pad. It may work for some people, or it may cause more trouble. It all depends on their respective bodies and their workspace. 

Some people have reported that a wrist rest mouse pad completely alleviated their chronic wrist pain, while others have their carpal tunnel aggravated even more when using them.

With that in mind, here are three major takeaways for you:

  1. First and foremost, always address your working posture to achieve a neutral position. Getting a wrist rest should only be considered after correcting your posture, and adjusting your monitor, keyboard, and mouse positions, while also setting up your desk to the proper height.
  2. Another great tip is to use them periodically. Switching things up might be the solution for you. If ever your wrists are feeling fatigued, install your wrist rests and continue working by using them. This will be a nice break from having to work without support most of the time.
  3. Last but not least, a great idea would be to invest in the ​right ergonomic mouse instead. They are designed specifically for your hands and can reduce the risks of injuring yourself tremendously. Designed with ergonomics in mind, the perfect ergonomic mouse can provide comfort and support for your wrists, making sure you are enjoying yourself at the office.

If you are still experiencing pain, only after you have dealt with all of the above suggestions, then would it be a good idea to invest in the right wrist rest mouse pad. Who knows, it might just be the answer you have been looking for.

The most important thing to remember is to resolve any issues while working with a computer before they become a bigger problem. Always be mindful of your body, and make sure that longevity is your number one priority.

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