Tips for healthy mouse use

1 . Use your elbow-not your wrist-to move the mouse
Keeping your forearms in one place and using your wrists to "flick" the mouse can increase intracarpal pressure-leading to wrist and finger pain.
2. Limit the amount you use your tracking device
Take breaks every 15-20 minutes and change your position frequently.
3. Use keyboard shortcuts
Many of the commands available through menu choices can also be accomplished by using the keyboard. (For example, Ctrl-C can be used to copy text.) These shortcuts can significantly reduce the amount you need to move your mouse
4. If you surf the web or edit long documents, consider a mouse with a scroll wheel
Scrolling with a wheel instead of the entire mouse helps reduce repetitive arm motions
5. Don't click too hard!
Just like typing on a keyboard, some people tend to use excessive force when clicking the mouse or trackball buttons. A light touch will do-and it will help save your hands and wrists!
6. Make sure you're holding your mouse correctly
Believe it or not, there's a right and a wrong way to hold your mouse. Here are a few tips to help:
Avoid letting your fingers "hover" above the mouse or trackball buttons. Some people are always "poised and ready" to click, holding their fingers over the button even when they're not using it. This causes unnecessary stress on your fingers. When you're not ready to click, you don't need your fingers raised-give them a rest by letting them relax or lay gently on the button.
Use a light grip. Just like typing too hard on a keyboard, holding your mouse too tightly can lead to pain. Don't choke your mouse, it's already dead!
Don't hold the mouse when you're not using it. Some people seem glued to their mouse. If there's a short period where you won't be using your mouse, you don't need to hold onto it.
Keep your wrists in a straight or "neutral" position. Avoid tilting (up and down) or angling (side to side) your wrists.
7. Try using your other hand to operate the mouse
Switching hands, or "load sharing," limits the amount that each hand has to work. It may seem strange, but it takes most people just a few days to get used to the change.8. If you use a trackball, consider placing padding or a rest under your elbowThis can help reduce the work your shoulder performs in keeping your arm raised. Make sure you use different fingers to operate the trackball-using just your thumb can lead to discomfort!