Ergonomics

Wacom Pens: The ergonomic way to use your computer

The computer mouse has been around for more than 20 years. Over the years a lot of computer users have been found to suffer from health complaints typical of Mouse Arm Syndrome (e.g. ′RSI′-Repetitive Strain Injury or ′CTS′- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).

MAS is a general term for when body parts, like the fingers, hand, arm and shoulders, have been injured from repetitive movements and static load. Using a traditional computer mouse involves clicking continuously for a long length of time and having your hand and forearm twisted at an awkward, unnatural angle. This can lead to aching body parts which significantly increases the risk of RSI.

Wacom pen tablets are recommended ergonomic alternatives to traditional input devices that can help to reduce or even prevent the discomfort of MAS. The digital pen assumes all the functions of a traditional computer mouse like navigating, dragging and dropping, clicking etc. and provides vital ergonomic advantages.

NATURAL POSITION OF HAND AND ARM

Natural Position of Hand & ArmWacom pens allow you to hold your hand in a relaxed handshake position that eliminates forearm twisting. There is no need to twist the forearm away from its natural position and strain muscles and tendons.

NO REPETITIVE USE AND STRESS OF THE SAME FEW MUSCLES

No Repetitive Use & Stress of the same few muslesUsing a pen means several muscles in your fingers, hand, and arm are being used evenly. With most mice, the same muscles in the fingers, hand and arm are unilaterally used and rest in the same position for a longer time.

FULL CONTROL WITH MINIMUM EFFORT

Full Control with minimum effortThe ′absolute positioning′, which means the active area of a pen tablet automatically maps to the size of your screen, allows you to control the entire screen with a few quick movements only. Unnecessary muscle strain in the fingers, hand and arm is being reduced.

′PENABLED TECHNOLOGY′

Penabled TechnologyOnly Wacom pens are cordless and battery-free which means optimum weight and balance for minimal strain.

HIGHLY CUSTOMISABLE

Highly CustomizableWacom products can be easily programmed to adapt to specific work tasks and personal needs. The buttons can be configured to carry out different functions, including ′left mouse click′, ′right mouse click′, ′double click′ and even shortcuts, pop-up menus or modifier keys. This offers the user a variety of different ways to work.

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the study of equipment design and arrangement focusing on healthy, comfortable, and efficient use. Ergonomically designed equipment focuses on physical design enabling usage that is natural to the human body thereby reducing stress, strain, fatigue and discomfort. Such equipment thus decreases the chance of human error and improves work efficiency.

What is RSI?

RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury or Repetitive Stress Injury, and is the general term used to describe prolonged pain in shoulders, neck, arms or hands. For those who use computers, this is usually caused by the prolonged repetitive actions such as typing on a keyboard or clicking on the mouse

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

One type of RSI, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a pinched nerve in the wrist. This means that somewhere, there is a blockage in the flow of signals that tell your muscles to move and give you feeling on your skin. You may feel numbness, tingling, and even pain in your wrists, hands and fingers.
 
"One of the problems with IT devices is frequent, repetitive movements for the hand especially when using standard input devices. We recommend that the user shortens this working time and takes short breaks, as well as using a good forearm support. We also recommend the use of keyboard short-cuts, alternating with one input device or more. Wacom pen tablets are a good example of alternative input devices. Being able to switch between ‘clicking’ and ‘tapping’ as well as the development towards pens with a thicker dimension, like the Intuos pen, alleviates working fatigue over extended periods of use. Selecting between different sizes of the pen tablet according to the work task and personal needs is also important. Different ways of working are great for body and mind!"