Hand and wrist pain is a common problem for frequent computer users.  And these days, who isn't?  Even my 5-year-old daughter comes home from kindergarten with computer sheets to help her figure out a keyboard.  I realize she will be using one soon enough, but I am sad to say "figuring out" a keyboard can be fairly challenging.  When I recently had my laptop stolen, I borrowed several different computers from generous friends.  I had a variety of keyboards, none of which were natural fits for me.  Some were tiny, others were ginormous.  Some I had to practically pound to get the keys to respond, while others were pretty touchy.  All in all, I had a very interesting time of trial and error as I got accustomed to each one before thinking through ergonomic keyboards and which ones are best.

There are many ergonomic keyboards to choose from.  Just to shake thing sup a bit, I'd like to look at the left-handed keyboard and how it can benefit any user, even righties.

Ergonomic comfort

Part of ergonomic comfort is keeping neutral typing posture, where you keep your muscles and limbs as natural as possible and as relaxed as possible.  This is where left handed keyboards come in.  They have standard QWERTY keyboard set-up, with the number pad on the left side instead of on the right.  This allows you to pull in your mouse closer to the keyboard- see the image.  This minor change reduces the strain caused by reaching out for your mouse.  By keeping your arms closer to your body, you will lessen the strain in your arms and shoulders. A left-handed keyboard lets you move your mouse closer where your key pad would have been, making your typing more ergonomic and more comfortable, whether left- or right-handed.

Increased productivity and efficiency

A left-handed ergonomic keyboard, like all ergonomic keyboards, is designed to minimize effort while type, making every keystroke more efficient. But the left-handed design can further increase your productivity by allowing you to multi-task with your hands. For example, instead of moving back and forth between your number pad and mouse during spreadsheet data entry, you can use the number pad with your left hand and the mouse with your right hand.  Gamers also benefit from using the number pad and the mouse on your right simultaneously when game function requires concurrent actions.

In recent years, left handed keyboard have increased in popularity with right handed users because of the benefits they provide. The ability to use the mouse and the number pad at the same time can increase your productivity and efficiency on the computer. And as with all ergonomic keyboard they also provide better comfort and ergonomic protection.

Shoulder pain and injury is frequently caused by repetitive motion and poor posture. Too often, computer users unconsciously sit in awkward positions instead of maintaining a neutral sitting position. This quickly leads to soreness and pain.

Here are some tips for finding relief and improving your posture for pain free typing.

1. Rest and Stretch: Give your muscles a break. Stand up and walk around at least every hour. During your break, stretch the sore muscle area to relieve any building tension. Here are some effective shoulder stretches recommended by National Institute of Health.
2. Restore Proper Sitting Posture: A good ergonomic chair can and should serve as the basis for good posture.  You should adjust it to fit you specifically. First, evaluate the back rest. Does the shape of the chair properly support the curvature of your lower back? A rolled towel or additional lumbar support can encourage proper posture and relieve muscle strain. Next, adjust the chair height to ensure that your feet rest flat on the floor. Finally, the armrests should be placed low enough that you can relax both arms and shoulders freely at your side during computer use.
3. Re-position the Computer Screen: You should never have to bend your neck or move your body to view your computer monitor. Instead, it should be centered directly in front of you, raised to eye level, and about an arm’s length from your body. An easy-to-install monitor shelf can quickly add height for better viewing. Also, if you frequently type from a document or notebook, try adding a document holder  immediately next to your monitor to improve your neck position.
4. Adjust Your Work Space: A significant contributor to shoulder pain is the improper height and placement of your keyboard and mouse. An adjustable tray allows the freedom to quickly reposition your keyboard and mouse. The best keyboard placement is one or two inches above your legs, just below your elbow height. A slight angle away from your body will help you relax your hands as well. Your computer mouse should be tight against the keyboard, at the same height and angle, so that you never have to reach outward for your mouse.
5. Upgrade Your keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards are specially designed to encourage good hand and wrist posture, relaxing your arms and shoulders and making your typing more comfortable and efficient. You may benefit from the mini keyboard or a left-handed keyboard that do not have a number pad on the right side, allowing you to bring the mouse in even closer, thus decreasing muscle strain. When looking for a new keyboard, try several different designs to find one that fits your hands as well as your typing style.

Poor posture can impact your comfort and productivity at work. Upgrade to good, ergonomic chair for better support. Try an adjustable keyboard tray to  help arrange your workspace for better posture. These quick tips can help relieve pain and improve your comfort at work.

Although left-handed keyboards were specifically designed to provide left-handed typists with a better keyboard, they have also become popular with right-handed users because of the universal benefits they provide. The specific design of these ergonomic keyboards gives better comfort and increased productivity for any computer user.

The Universal Benefits of a Left-Handed Keyboard

Enjoy ergonomic comfort.

For maximum comfort while typing, the goal is to maintain a neutral typing posture, where all of your muscles are in a neutral or relaxed position. This posture is most comfortable and natural, and can protect you from pain at work. Because of the ergonomic design, a left-handed keyboard can make it easier for you to keep your hands and arms in a good position at your computer all day.  

These ergonomic keyboards have standard QWERTY layout, but the number pad has been moved from the right to the left side of the keyboard. This opens up the right side, allowing you bring your mouse closer in, where they key pad would normally be on a standard keyboard. The closer your mouse is to your body center, the less reaching is required to use your mouse, and the less strain you feel in your arms and shoulders.

Increase your productivity and efficiency.

The design of an ergonomic keyboard minimizes the movement and effort required to type, making every keystroke more efficient. In addition to this, a left-handed keyboard can also increase your productivity further with the ability to multi-task with your hands. Instead of switching between the number pad and the mouse while entering numbers, you can use the number pad with your left hand and the mouse with your right hand.  This feature is extremely useful for data entry and numeric spreadsheets. Gamers can also benefit from simultaneous use of the number pad and mouse when game function requires concurrent actions.

Left-handed keyboards offer great benefits to both right and left-handed users. The unique placement of the number pad can help increase your productivity and efficiency on the computer. And as with all  ergonomic keyboards, they provide better comfort and help protect you from pain or injury.