pc-mouse-625152_1920 (2)Pain using a mouse?

Are you experiencing arm pain using a mouse?

Review the following tips to see if you can resolve any arm pain using a mouse.

  1. Ensure the surface on which the mouse is used is suitable for it to respond easily. Use a mouse mat.
  2. Ensure the mouse is positioned at the same height as your forearm. If you have raised your chair, to suit your keyboard height, (see How to adjust an Office Chair: 7 top tips) the mouse also needs to suit the same height, so your arm use for all tasks is horizontal. Therefore a mouse mat or two may be required.
  3. Keep the mouse close to you, so that your elbow remains under your shoulder during use. (Sometimes a mini keyboard size allows the mouse to be even closer).
  4. Make sure you have an up-to-date, fully functioning mouse. Optical (red light) operation, rather than a ball that gets sticky and dirty. Many people use the standard type of mouse, which is generally symmetrical in shape.  It can suit left or right handed user, with a central scroll wheel and left & right click buttons on each side of the scroll button. Left handed users can swap over the button use on the computer Control Panel.
  5. If mouse use is uncomfortable, first consider if your sitting and arm posture are correct before buying extra equipment. (Eg mouse rests, alternative mice etc.). Review when the pain occurs, during what actions.
  6. A mouse rest should only be used during breaks from mousing! Be aware that the mouse rest is not restricting access to the mouse.
  7. The whole arm,  particularly the underside of the wrist should be free to move and unrestricted during use.
  8. Try to not grip the mouse too tightly or for too long. Consider using Microsoft keyboard shortcuts  or Apple Mac keyboard shortcuts to ease the reduce mouse use.
  9. Increase the number of lines per scroll. Increase the speed of the mouse motion so less arm movement across the desk is required to get across the screen (x2 mouse settings are on the Control Panel).
  10. Set up single click rather than double clicking for each icon (see the yellow ‘Folder Options’ on the Control Panel or access via ‘View’ under ‘Options’ on a Microsoft Office yellow folder).
  11. When using wireless mice, the weight of two AA batteries within the mouse can considerably affect the weight of the mouse being moved. Go back to a wired mouse if this is an issue.
  12. There are many alternative mouse/input device options. Consider the pros and cons of alternatives, as sometimes they can resolve one issue but may create another. There are other technology alternatives. Consider obtaining technical equipment advice (eg voice activated software).

We hope this information is useful and practical advice to ease arm pain using a mouse.

Discomfort can also be experienced due to the keyboard use and your sitting posture on an office chair.

If you cannot resolve discomfort or pain, you may need an assessment. This can prevent issues in the future or resolve issues you are currently experiencing.

See our Services related to this topic:

A DSE Risk Assessment may be beneficial to ensure the whole set up is correct, according to the DSE Regulations 1992 for prevention of minor aches and pains.

If discomfort is ongoing, requiring medical input, or there is a diagnosed medical condition, a more in-depth Ergonomic Workstation Assessment is required.

See our Case Studies:

DSE Risk Assessment Case Study

Ergonomic Assessment in an Office Role Case Study

Ergonomic Assessment of a Teacher Case Study

Ergonomic Assessment & Return-to-Work Case Study

See our blog articles related to this topic:

Contact Us for further advice and a quotation.

See our Useful Links page which includes diagnosis specific advice from organisations which can help.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regime, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Healthywork Ltd does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this website. Reliance on any information appearing on this website is solely at your own risk.

Pain using a mouse: 12 Top Tips
Tagged on:                                 

Interested in working together?

If you would like to work with us, or find out more about what we do, get in touch!

Contact Us

Recent Posts

Testimonials

DSE Risk Assessment Testimonial by EquiLend

DSE Risk Assessments for EquiLend

DSE Risk Assessment Testimonial by EquiLend:

‘The feedback has been excellent and many people have expressed how much they enjoyed meeting you, as well as benefiting from your expertise. Also the report is a lot more comprehensive that I thought so thank you!’ (October 2018) 

 

Chris Reilly

Atos Healthcare

Assessments for Atos Healthcare

Alison has provided a regular service to Atos Healthcare since July 2007. She is professional, flexible and delivers to timescales and her services have been valued by us and our customer Royal Mail.

Mrs Santu Bhudia, Atos Healthcare

OTAL Ltd

An Ergonomic Assessment provided by Healthywork was well worth the money. The chair has been set up correctly, and is now more comfortable for the user and we have purchased the desktop equipment they suggested and this along with correct layout and improved positioning has really helped towards resolving the discomfort experienced.

Linda Marston Human Resource Manager OTAL Limited - HO Birmingham Innovative solutions to and from West Africa

UNUM

Healthywork Clients - Unum

Alison is professional at all times, she is easy to work with, adaptable and open to discussing how, through the reports she produces she can meet the changing needs of her clients.

Elaine Cook

Sensory Dimensions

Ergonomic Assessment Functional Capacity Assessment Evaluation DSE Assessment Workstation Milton Keynes Cambridge Oxford North London - sensory

Many thanks indeed for the report.  Very thorough and a lot for us to do to help our member of staff.

I really appreciate the quick turn around.  (May 2017)

Simon Hails
Sensory Dimensions

HEFCE

logo

Healthywork Ltd have been extremely helpful over the last year and provided us with a very good service at very short notice.

The quality of their work place assessment reports and recommendations are extremely high. In addition, the employees involved have commented on the extremely helpful knowledge and support provided by the work place assessor.

(Assessments provided in Bristol and Central London).

Sarah de Vere, HR Manager, Higher Education Funding Council for England, based in Bristol
HEFCE

David Higham Associates

Healthywork Clients - David Higham

They (the employees) were all happy with the work you did on the day you came in. Thanks a lot for your help. (Workstation Risk Assessments, November 2011)

Tine Nielsen David Higham Associates

ARK Schools

Healthywork Clients - Capital Group

Ergonomic Assessments at ARK in London and at one of the Academies in Elephant and Castle, South london, assessing the ergonomic needs of teachers.

ARK Schools, based in Central london

Basetek Ltd

The feedback from the staff is very positive and they all found it very interesting. (DSE Risk Assessments and Ergonomics Education sessions).

Françoise Ashfield BaseTek Ltd

Survey feedback following a DSE Assessment

Well worth having a trained professional actually observe you at your workspace as small adjustments can improve comfort and health.

Sept 2017

Anonymous