Florida Rheumatologist and
Immunologist Dr. Guillermo Valenzuela Offers Advice on Turning Your Office Into
a Pain-Free Zone
Your hands ache and tingle, your back has
shooting pain, your wrists hurt and your elbows feel as if you could not lift
them any higher. If this sounds like you after a day of work, then you could be
experiencing ergonomic issues that are keeping you from working at your best.
“When we work, there is often a divide
between how we move and how our bodies are meant to move,” says Guillermo Valenzuela, M.D., F.A.C.R., a
Florida-based rheumatologist and immunologist with Integral Rheumatology & Immunology Specialists in
Plantation, Fla. “This can lead to many rheumatology concerns, including
arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.”
While your carpal tunnel is not one you
can actually drive through, the tunnel is a passageway that houses nerves and
tendons. If this passageway becomes inflamed from overuse or excess wear and
tear, you experience tingling, numbness and/or pain in your fingers, especially
the first three fingers.
Although Dr. Valenzuela offers treatments
to restore function and reduce pain in your wrists, he also says that
prevention is truly the best first-line resource against carpal tunnel. Also
keep in mind that ergonomic issues are just one contributing factor to carpal
tunnel -- arthritis, inflammatory conditions and metabolic diseases can also
cause the condition.
While “Take Dr. Valenzela to Work Today”
is not a holiday, he does offer advice to his patients concerning the
appropriate settings for your work chair, positioning for your keyboard and
height of your work screen. Whether you realize it or not, each of these
aspects play a part in your hand and wrist pain. Take Dr. Valenzuela’s
tips for an office
makeover that doesn’t require painting or major furniture purchases (unless, of
course, you want to make them).
Watch
How You Mouse
Does stress have you keeping a death grip
on your mouse? Lighten up, and you’ll also lighten up your wrist pain. As you
work, look at where you are moving your mouse from. Instead of moving your
wrist back and forth, focus on moving your forearm from your elbow instead.
Keeping your wrist in a neutral and straight position can help prevent
discomfort.
In terms of tools, a mouse that is
symmetrical, or rounded on all sides, is preferable to a curved mouse that puts
your hand and wrist in an awkward position. If possible, place the mouse on a
slightly angled surface to the side of your keyboard. The worst positioning is
the most common one -- with the mouse flat on a surface to your keyboard’s
side.
Put
Your Keyboard In Its Place
Keyboards that cause you to angle your
forearms upward put extra strain on your wrist and elbows. This creates what
seems like an open invitation for wrist aches and pains. A better position is a
neutral or even slightly downward option. This takes the pressure off your
wrists and allows your arms to rest more comfortably at your sides.
Take
a Break and Stretch
Dr. Valenzuela consistently sees
professionals from all fields who are constantly using their hands for typing
or with tools, yet never take a break throughout a long work day. Giving your
wrists a break -- even if just for 30 seconds to a minute -- can make a big
difference between wrist discomfort and a pain-free work day.
Seek
Help When Needed
Dr. Valenzuela has helped countless
patients from all around the world find relief from carpal tunnel, arthritis
and osteoporosis, particularly complicated cases where patients have not found
relief with other interventions. His office is home to state-of-the-art imaging technology, and he and his team are constantly
performing clinical trials researching new
treatments.
“When patients feel like they have tried
everything to resolve their symptoms, but the pain continues, it’s time to make
a doctor’s appointment,” Dr. Valenzuela says. “So many patients live with the
pain or brush it aside when I could be helping them finally find relief.”
Dr.
Valenzuela practices at Integral Rheumatology & Immunology Specialists in Plantation,
Florida. For more information or to make an appointment, please call (954)
476-2338. You can also visit his website at www.valenzuelarheumatology.com.
Dr. Valenzuela regularly updates his Twitter account with useful tips. Follow
him at @Dr_ValenzuelaMD
to learn more.
