Why Your Wrists Hurt From Using a Laptop
“A combination of factors can cause wrist pain over time if you use a laptop regularly. These include sitting with your arms in an awkward position, poor posture, and applying excessive pressure on your wrists.”
Laptop keyboards are designed for portability rather than ergonomic comfort. Extended typing sessions can strain the joints and tissues in your hands and wrists due to suboptimal positioning.
Your Wrist’s Ergonomic Alignment Is Important
The alignment between your laptop keyboard and your hands, wrists, forearms, and upper arms significantly impacts comfort. When seated at a desk with a laptop, your biceps align with your chest and elbows form right angles to reach the keyboard, but this often places your forearms either above or below the optimal position.
The Right Typing Position
The most comfortable and healthy position occurs “when your forearms are straight and relaxed in the neutral position.” Any deviation from this neutral 90-degree angle between forearm and elbow joint will lead to discomfort during extended typing.
How to Prevent Hand Pain From Typing on a Laptop
- Avoid bracing your wrists against the laptop surface
- Don’t use your laptop on your lap
- Use wrist rests appropriately
- Use an external mouse and keyboard
- Take regular breaks from typing
