Do you notice persistent aches and pains in your hands related to work? Have you injured your hands and are looking for ways to recover and protect them in the future? Ergonomic training may be the solution you’ve been searching for. At Hands for Living and Hand Therapy Northwest, we will help you set up your workstation and teach you exercises you can do at work and home, ensuring you perform at your highest level!
Hands for
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
Living
NEWSLETTER
Protect Your Hands From Injury With Proper Ergonomics!
www.handsforliving.com
NEWSLETTER Living Hands for
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
Protect Your Hands From Injury
With Proper Ergonomics!
Contact us to schedule an appointment! handsforliving.com Living Hands for
What Are Ergonomics? The science of ergonomics is based on the belief that fitting the work environment to the employee will lead to fewer injuries and improved quality of life. If you have been dealing with persistent pain or want to prevent an injury, the need for new strategies at work or home can help keep you healthy. Some important considerations for proper ergonomics include the following: • Choosing proper postures based on work duties (i.e., avoiding slouching) • Avoiding prolonged positions (i.e., sitting or standing for extended periods) • Minimizing repetitive movements by taking frequent breaks Our occupational and certified hand therapists will identify and recommend necessary adjustments or modifications to your work environment to reduce and prevent further pain and injury.
Simple Steps to Keep Your Hands Safe and Feeling Their Best Your hands are essential in almost everything you do at home or work. We often don’t realize how vulnerable we are to injury. It’s critical to be proactive when keeping your hands safe, and our team at Hands for Living and Hand Therapy Northwest can help guide you through the most effective prevention strategies. Here are a few suggestions that, when implemented, can help you lower your chances of injury. • Change your workstation setup: Adjust your computer monitor’s position, seat height, and the location of your mouse and keyboard to fit your body. Our team will guide you through the steps to determine the right fit for you. • Always wear your protective equipment (PPE): When it comes to protecting the hands, this means Article Continues Inside >>
Do you notice persistent aches and pains in your hands related to work? Have you injured your hands and are looking for ways to recover and protect them in the future? Ergonomic training may be the solution you’ve been searching for. At Hands for Living and Hand Therapy Northwest, we will help you set up your workstation and teach you exercises you can do at work and home, ensuring you perform at your highest level! Ergonomics is a science that deals with designing and arranging things so people can use them efficiently and safely. Whether sitting at a computer all day or standing in the assembly line, ergonomic training can help you find relief. At Hands for Living and Hand Therapy Northwest, our team of highly trained occupational therapists and certified hand therapists will teach you how to set up your workstation and properly care for your hands to minimize the risk of injuries.
www.handsforliving.com
Hands for
Living
A vertical ergonomic mouse can reduce hand and wrist strain.
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How Ergonomics Helps Keep Your Hands Healthy
to reduce and prevent further pain and injury. Once your therapists have created a safer work environment, your chances of sustaining a repetitive stress injury are much lower. What to Eexpect at Your Hands For Living and Hand Therapy Northwest Session One of our highly trained occupational therapists will start with a comprehensive evaluation that includes your past medical history and the specific demands on your body at home and work on a typical day. We will use this information to develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and appropriate pain relief techniques. In some circumstances, we recommend specialized devices or
equipment modifications (such as splints or wrist supports) to make your daily tasks more comfortable. Request an appointment at Hands For Living and Hand Therapy Northwest today! Our highly trained occupational and certified hand therapists can guide you to resolve your pain and improve the ergonomics of your work environment to ensure you stay injury-free!
wearing gloves. Whether working around your home or on a job site, gloves protect your hands from cuts, scrapes, and blisters that can lead to pain or injury. • Change your position frequently: Prolonged postures often lead to improper technique or faulty movements that cause pain or injury. If you’re unsure what to do for your specific situation, consulting with one of our occupational therapists or certified hand therapists at Hands for Living and Hand Therapy Northwest is an excellent way to get started. We can prescribe you a personalized program that will recommend necessary adjustments and modifications to your work environment or the tools you use
We want to help you live pain-free, regaining and maintaining the ability to do the things that you love to do! Schedule your appointments TODAY.
Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29796982/; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/ S0950357905801347; https://espace.curtin.edu.au/handle/20.500.11937/74057
Vanessa Arango, Occupational Therapist Vanessa is an occupational therapist specializing in treating conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. She has a background in Exercise Science with many years of experience as a personal trainer and certified yoga instructor. Her passion for learning and understanding movement led her to find therapy in
Education & qualifications • 2020 Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Academy of Lymphatic Studies • 2019 Master’s in Occupational Therapy, University of Saint Augustine • 2015 Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Florida Atlantic University • 2012 Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance
order to make a greater impact for those wishing to return to meaningful activities or even in finding new ones to enjoy. She hopes to empower her clients to return to the things that matter most to them. Vanessa also has specialized training in oncology rehabilitation and lymphedema therapy. In her free time, Vanessa can be found training Brazilian jiu-jitsu, powerlifting, or exploring the PNW with her husband and dogs.
Do you struggle to use your computer? Are you constantly uncomfortable when interacting with your mouse or keyboard? Custom and Ergonomic Keyboard Options
Success Story
“I’ve been having hand pain/discomfort for a few years. I’m a software engineer who can spend up to 16 hours a day on a computer so obviously getting this sorted was of great importance to me. Vanessa was incredibly helpful in trying to root- cause the source of my discomfort, suggesting exercises/stretches and lifestyle changes to improve things. While I’m not 100% yet, I’m on a road that will lead me there, and even if not, I’m way better off than when I started. I do recommend you wait to see them until you’re in a place where you have the time and discipline to follow the exercises and recommendations they provide; however, there’s no magic pill (or at least they didn’t offer me one :)) and a lot of this will fall on you outside of their sessions, but they play an essential role of guide and diagnosing your pain. Definitely recommend them, especially Vanessa! (Although I’m sure they’re all lovely people).” — Eddie P. “Summary: great results & great care so long as you put in the work. Thanks, Vanessa!”
Being physically comfortable when using technology is critical, especially if your job requires you to be on the computer for 40 hours a week. Not having the proper equipment can lead to the development of long-term issues such as Repetitive Strain Injuries.
Nighttime Wrist Support for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using a nighttime wrist support can be effective for treating the numbness and tingling in fingers of carpal tunnel syndrome. The Titan Wrist Lacing Orthosis is made of soft orthopedic felt with a nylon exterior. It keeps the wrist immobilized and fingers free. Anatomically contoured palmar and dorsal stays are malleable for customization and removable for step-down rehabilitation. On small hands, the eyelets will clamshell over the laces for a smooth overlap. To avoid future complications, it’s time to start looking for the right equipment today! You can start by transitioning to an ergonomic keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to promote a better typing position for your hands and wrists, reducing the possibility of strains and discomfort. Ergonomic keyboards split the keyboard in half, placing each half on a curve so your arms are at a more comfortable, relaxed angle when typing. Ergonomic mice are also frequently available in left- and right-handed orientations, as well as different sizes, to ensure that the mouse fits comfortably. Vertical mice also realign the wrist to a more natural “handshake” position, transferring movement to the stronger shoulder muscles. If you’re in pain when using your mouse or keyboard, know that you have options for relief. Get started on a more comfortable life today!
Get Back To Living!
LYNNWOOD Hands for Living (425) 368-7943
REDMOND Hand Therapy Northwest (425) 881-1921 www.handsforliving.com
Titan Wrist Lace Orthosis Benefits • Breathable materials • Adjustable design
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