How to Pick the Best Office Chair for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Did you know that repetitive stress injuries take a toll on the productivity of approximately 4-10 million Americans, and 4.5 million Canadians in North America?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, also known as “CTS”, is a painful wrist injury that’s common amongst desk job workers. Luckily, it is also easy to treat and prevent. 

What is carpal tunnel syndrome, and how does an office chair help with this RSI? In this article, we’ll be diving into all the things you need to know about picking the best office chair for carpal tunnel. 

With a proper understanding of CTS and wrist ergonomics, you’ll be able to create a work environment that eases the strain on your wrists and keeps you comfortable while you’re plugging away at your next big project. 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? 

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway between your forearm and hand that is surrounded and protected by bones and ligament. CTS is the nerve-related injury that occurs when too much pressure is placed on the median nerve (located on the inside of your wrist). 

When this area is compressed, you might have numbness, tingling, or a loss of mobility in your hands (like pinching and gripping with your fingers).The tingling sensation in your fingers can spread to your arms if CTS is severe. It can also cause your wrist to become weak, so you might find yourself dropping things more easily. 

(image from vivehealth.com)

Causes for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be caused by a wide variety of sources—here are the most common culprits. 

• Broken or Fractured Wrist: can cause damage to the carpal tunnel and median nerve
• Pre-existing conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, for example, can cause inflammation in the wrist. 
• Overexertion of the wrist: using your wrist too much (e.g. typing, using tools, or playing the piano) can put strain on the median nerve. 
• Prolonged, improper wrist position: this can put pressure on the carpal tunnel and cause numbness. 

Ways to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

While keyboard and mouse ergonomics are crucial to protecting your wrists while working, did you know that having an outdated, rigid office chair can harm your wrists all the same? Here’s what to look out for in an ergonomic chair so your wrists can work comfortably and painlessly. 

1. Armrests

When it comes to wrist comfort, armrests are an absolute MUST! Some designs leave out armrests for the sake of a “sleeker” looking office chair design, but trust us—armrests will save you from shoulder, neck, and wrist pain. 

When your forearms are supported by armrests, that takes the weight of your arms off your upper body, allowing you to work more comfortably. A supportive and comfortable chair with adjustable armrests is especially important if you use a keyboard or mouse for long periods of time. 

Make sure the chair is height adjustable so that you can line the armrests up with the table top! You shouldn’t have to reach up to your working surface, and your wrists shouldn’t be drooping down to the table either.

2. Easy Adjustments

Constantly adjusting your chair can also take a toll on your wrists. Check the adjustments on your chair and see that the seat depth, seat height, and lumbar support adjustments are all easy to reach and set. 

These levers are usually under the seat—make sure they’re in reach and that it’s easy for you to adjust them up and down. You shouldn’t have to yank with all your might, because that’s another way you can hurt your wrist! Adjustments should be easy and smooth, and your wrists will be better off in the long term. 

3. Smooth Rolling

An office chair is only as good as the wheels it rolls on! Look for high-quality wheel casters so that you can move around your office space easily without a hitch. If you’ve got carpet, try a chair mat to help with the movement of your chair.

Having high quality wheels might seem irrelevant to wrist health, but think about it—when you move towards and away from your desk, you’re using your arms and wrists to grab the desk edge and roll closer! Make these movements easier on your wrist by looking for an office chair with wheels that are durable and provide smooth sailing throughout the day. 

How EFFYDESK Ergonomic Office Chairs Measure Up?

Canada’s best ergonomic office chair, AeryChair, has a natural ergonomic design with fully adjustable features that will help you to ensure posture alignment and relieve muscle and tendon stiffness. 

This comfortable office chair’s durable and breathable mesh material helps to achieve a productive workday, as the chair molds to your body for maximum support, and includes: fully customizable head-rests, adjustable seats, and adjustable lumbar support to give you unlimited modifications for comfort, tailored just for you.

 Most importantly, the AeryChair has 4D adjustable arms, so that you can control both the height and width of your armrests, and ensure proper wrist alignment to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries. All the adjustment levers are close by, so no need to stretch to reach anything! The 5 PU-coated wheel casters are quieter, protect your flooring and give you ease of movement across most surfaces without the fear of tipping over.

The waterfall padded seat design is another feature of EFFYDESK’s coveted ergonomic office chair that provides natural contouring in your office chair or gaming chair and comfort. A gradual slope, or waterfall edge at the front of the seat cushion helps to relieve the pressure off your thighs and calves. This way, when you recline comfortably in the AeryChair with the synchro-tilt mechanism, your seat provides a comfortable depth and curve for your lower body.

Not sure if this is the one for you? EFFYDESK has a 2-year warranty on all computer desk chairs! Contact us to find out more about what our Ergonomic Office Chair Series can do for your workspace, home office or battlestation. 

You can also count on us to bring cutting-edge, modern ergonomic office furniture from A to Z, to the table:

• Anti-Fatigue Standing Mat - help to reduce any pain and fatigue from standing on hard surfaces
• Ergonomic Office Chairs - help to alleviate and heal from back and/or other bodily muscle aches/pain/tension.
• Filing Cabinets - quiet, highly maneuverable filing cabinet with 3 lockable drawers to give you the organization and peace of mind you deserve.
• Monitor Desk Mounts - help to reduce, relieve and prevent neck tension and shoulder pain.
• Sit-Stand Desks - Undo desk damage with an adjustable electric standing desk designed to last that features Dual or Triple Motor frames with incomparable quality, and state-of-the-art LED Display Memory Keypad that is both intuitive and user-friendly.

To learn more about our products and services, be sure to check out our FAQ page or browse our ergomindfulness blog for more helpful articles on ergonomics in the workplace.