Other Ergo

To Reduce Force

• Use the lightest grip possible while writing.
• Use ergonomically designed or wide-barrel pens.
• Use a rubberized grip or increase traction by wrapping a rubber-band around the pen barrel.
• Use a felt-tip pen, gel pen or roller ball so that the tip glides easily over the paper.
• Do not plant your wrist or forearm on the desk. Glide over the surface of the desk using your shoulder to initiate the movement of writing.

To Avoid Awkward Postures

• Keep the wrists neutral.
• Position the elbow so that it is open at more than a right (90 degree) angle.
• Keep the shoulders relaxed.
• Keep the hand relaxed and avoid forceful bending or hyperextension of the
• finger joints or thumb when holding the pen.
• Position the paper you are writing on about 2 inches above elbow level while sitting with your shoulders relaxed.
• Use a sloped desk to reduce the need to bend the neck or round the shoulders forward.
• Place the paper in a position that is easily accessible.
• Use a micro-desk writing platform above the keyboard.
• Get in close to the work surface.
• Don’t reach around objects placed on the desk while writing.
• Don’t hold a pen while typing.
• Use a headset if you need to type and speak on the phone at the same time.
• To Reduce Contact Stress
• Consider one of the new ergonomically designed pens.
• Use the lightest hold possible while still maintaining control of the pen.
• Don’t lean on the wrist or the forearm, especially on the sharp edge of a desk.
• Use a round, not a triangularly-shaped, rubberized grip.

To Reduce Repetitive Writing Movement

• Take micro-breaks.
• Stretch often.
• Vary work tasks.