Wrist Rests

Wrist rests are a very popular (and relatively inexpensive) tool for preventing typing injuries. They can prevent and reduce basic injuries like shoulder fatigue, elbow torque, compression, RSI, CTS, and wrist abrasion. There are two main ways in which wrist rests prevent typing injuries:

Straight wrists – by keeping the wrists straight and parallel to the forearms, wrist rests can help prevent a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Without a wrist rest, wrists often rest on the work surface, bent upwards in hyper-extension.
Padded wrists – another benefit associated with wrist rests is their cushioning. Without wrist rests, wrists may sag down and press onto a hard work surface, compressing the soft tissue of the hand. This can negatively affect the nerves and blood vessels of the hand.

When purchasing and/or using a wrist rest, consider the following:

Thickness – be sure that your wrist rest is of the same thickness as the front edge of your keyboard (in other words, it should be no higher than the space bar and no lower than the very front edge).
Placement – place the wrist rest where your palms, rather than your wrists and forearms, can rest upon it (although, some say to place it halfway between your wrists and forearms).
Resting – do not use the wrist rest to rest your wrists while typing! Rather, use it to rest while in between periods of typing. This is because the very cushioned wrist supports can actually contour to the wrists, allowing twisting movements. While typing, keeping your palms/wrists off of the wrist pad can help keep your wrists in a neutral position while reaching for keys not in the home row.
I mproper usage – improperly using a wrist support can actually lead to more problems, like wrist flexion (bending the wrist down toward the palm). Keeping your wrist in contact with a wrist pad can lead to compression. Wrist twisting can be increased. Productivity may be decreased. Be sure to properly use the wrist rest! Follow the directions that come with it, and talk with a medical specialist if necessary.
Discomfort – if you experience discomfort while using a wrist rest, discontinue using it.
When not using a wrist rest… – if you decide to not use a wrist rest, place your keyboard at the edge of your workspace – you thereby will be unable to rest your palms/wrists on the desktop.

If you are already experiencing RSI or CTS, be sure to talk with a medical specialist to find out which typing instruments will be most beneficial to you. There are other options out there besides wrist rests, including forearm supports. Although other options may be more expensive, they can be worth their price in the end. Also, realize that many typing injuries can be prevented by simply changing your posture and positioning. A training course in ergonomics can be