This guide is designed to help you be comfortable and productive while using your computer.  It may also help you reduce your risk of experiencing painful and disabling injuries or disorders described in the following Health Warning.

The guide includes five sections, with each section accessible from the bottom of each page.

It only takes a moment to read, but the benefits can be lasting.  

Use of a keyboard or mouse may be linked to serious injuries or disorders.  

When using a computer, as with many activities, you may experience occasional discomfort in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck, or other parts of your body.   However, if you experience symptoms such as persistent or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness, burning sensation, or stiffness, DO NOT IGNORE THESE WARNING SIGNS.  PROMPTLY SEE A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, even if symptoms occur when you are not working at your computer.  Symptoms such as these can be associated with painful and sometimes permanently disabling injuries or disorders of the nerves, muscles, tendons, or other parts of the body.   These musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and other conditions.  

While researchers are not yet able to answer many questions about MSDs, there is general agreement that many factors may be linked to their occurrence, including: medical and physical conditions, stress and how one copes with it, overall health, and how a person positions and uses his or her body during work and other activities (including use of a keyboard or mouse).  Some studies suggest that the amount of time a person uses a keyboard may also be a factor.  Some guidelines that may help you work more comfortably with your computer and possibly reduce your risk of experiencing an MSD can be found in this "Healthy Computing Guide." You can request the CD-ROM version of the "Healthy Computing Guide" at no charge by calling 1-800-360-7561 (in the United States only).  If you have questions about how your own lifestyle, activities, or medical or physical condition may be related to MSDs, see a qualified health professional.

For information about arranging your workstation and developing habits that may help to reduce your risk of experiencing an MSD, read this "Healthy Computing Guide." Because there are a variety of factors that may contribute to MSDs, this guide cannot provide everything you need to know to prevent an MSD or reduce your risk of experiencing one.  For some people, following the suggestions may reduce their risk of experiencing an MSD.  For others, it may not.  However, many people experience greater comfort and productivity when following these suggestions.  Keep in mind that this guide is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional or an employer health policy or program.  If you have questions about how your own lifestyle, activities, or medical or physical condition may be related to MSDs, see a qualified health professional.