How to choose an ergonomic mouse that will dramatically improve your productivity

Have you ever felt heavy in the base of your wrist or forearm, or felt discomfort in your knuckles in the evening after a long day of computer work? The normal motion of holding a flat mouse forces the two bones of the forearm (radius and ulna) into a state of ``pronation,’’ which forces them to cross over, placing constant stress on the muscles and tendons. An ergonomic mouse is the key to relieving this physical stress and speeding up your daily work. In this article, we will provide a diagnostic format on how to choose and utilize the optimal shape to suit your symptoms and work style.

Which one is right for you? Simple diagnosis of “vertical type” vs “trackball type”

• Diagnosis A [Those who have pain on the outside of their wrists and elbows/Those who value intuitive operation] ➔ “Vertical mouse” is most suitable The body is tilted 50 to 60 degrees, allowing you to hold it at a natural hand angle, like shaking hands. The feature is that it is highly effective in preventing tendinitis because there is no twisting in the wrist. Since you can point by sliding your arm in the same way as a regular mouse, you can easily adapt to design work or selecting detailed areas. Good examples include Logitech’s “Lift” and “MX Vertical”.
• Diagnosis B [Those with severe shoulder stiffness/those who work at a narrow desk] ➔Trackball mouse is best You operate the cursor by rolling the ball with your thumb or index finger, so there is no need to move the mouse itself. Since you can work in a relaxed manner while keeping your arms and shoulders completely fixed, it is extremely effective for those who suffer from severe stiffness around the shoulder blades. It is also attractive because it saves space, as you don’t even need space to lay out a mouse pad on your desk.

How to measure the size of your hand and match the “angle of inclination” without making mistakes

The most important thing to avoid when it comes to ergonomic mice is buying a large model that doesn’t fit your hand size. Measure the length from the tip of your middle finger to the first joint of your wrist, and the golden rule is to choose a size S to M (such as Logitech Lift) if it is less than 17 cm, and a size L (such as MX Vertical) if it is 18 cm or more. If the size is too large, you will have to force your fingers to stretch when clicking, which will put strain on the base of your fingers. Additionally, if you choose a model with a silent switch, you can press repeatedly without hesitation during a web conference or in a quiet office.

Custom buttons & DPI tuning to double your productivity

The true value of an ergonomic mouse is that it eliminates the need for rework by assigning buttons. By assigning desktop switching,'' Enter key,’’ and ``back/forward’’ to the side button near your thumb, you can halve the number of times your right hand moves back and forth between the keyboard and mouse. If you experience erratic operation when you first install the mouse, the trick to getting used to it smoothly is to set the DPI (Cursor Sensitivity) in your mouse software a little lower than usual and gradually increase it over a few days. Don’t be afraid to invest in your body and get a tireless work style.