Diseases

Mouse Arm - Causes, Symptoms and Therapy

Mouse Arm - Causes, Symptoms and Therapy / Diseases

Mouse arm - what helps?

The daily use of computers, mobile phones and other small electronic devices can lead to extreme one-sided stress on the arms and hands. It often comes to incorrect stress on the joints, muscles and tendons - the result is a mouse arm. In most cases, its symptoms begin to be barely perceptible and become increasingly stronger, until finally the so-called Repetitive Strain Injury Syndrome (RSI) syndrome occurs. The RSI syndrome means "repetitive strain injury". These are micro-injuries in muscle tissue, tendons or nerves.


contents

  • Mouse arm - what helps?
  • causes
  • Development process
  • symptoms
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • Tap mouse arm
  • homeopathy
  • relaxation therapies
  • The ergonomic workplace
  • Mouse arm exercises

causes

A mouse arm can affect people of all ages. People who suffer from metabolic diseases such as thyroid hyperplasia, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes are more likely to be affected by RSI syndrome than healthy individuals. In our technological time, we are confronted with a lot of repetitive monotonous work processes that can cause the symptoms. Employees who work on the computer, such as graphic designers, text processors, office workers, programmers, draftsman, but also artists such as guitarists and pianist belong here to the risk groups.

Tap, click, grab, press buttons are just a few examples of monotonous movements. These lead to overloading and can end in RSI syndrome. In addition, there is often a wrong posture. A non-ergonomic workplace is one of the main causes of the mouse arm.

One-sided burdens by mouse click lead to the so-called mouse arm. Patients experience pain in the hand, arm and shoulder. (Image: Robert Kneschke / fotolia)

The ever-decreasing perception of one's own body and natural warning systems causes pain to be suppressed or deliberately ignored. As a result, it can quickly come to a chronic mouse arm. Our body's own warning system can serve as a natural protective function against chronic diseases or permanent damage.

Development process

The one-sided load leads to fine tears in the tissue of the tendon attachment. This can sometimes lead to severe pain in the area of ​​the elbow and forearm. The body responds to these tears and tries to fix them. This is associated with tissue changes and deposits, which in turn can cause pain. This process is called medical Tendinopathy, a disease of the tendons. If Tendinopathy is ignored and left untreated, the injury may spread, become inflamed, and eventually become chronic, posing a permanent burden.

Other influencing factors
Affected individuals who have already healed the tissue tears may also continue to experience pain if the impulse is transmitted to the spinal cord and brain during processing of the pain impulses. It can also come in the brain to a similar coupling between pain and mouse click, so that the process of clicking alone can trigger pain, although no more damage exists.

A mouse arm should be treated as quickly as possible and not be taken away, as this disease can become chronic and thus a permanent burden. (Image: Robert Kneschke / fotolia.com)

Stress and mental stress
Stress in the workplace, for example due to time pressure and high workload, can increase the risk of developing a mouse arm. Other psychological stresses such as lack of recognition, low regard for work done or bullying can contribute to this disease development.

symptoms

There is no uniform symptoms in the mouse arm. The symptoms can occur in various areas such as the wrist, thumb, forefinger, hand, elbow, shoulder or in the whole arm. Patients often report a drawing or throbbing pain. Typical symptoms are:

  • muscle cramps,
  • Coordination disorders in the arm and hand,
  • swelling,
  • Muscle weakness and weakness,
  • the pain is intensified by strain on the arm,
  • finger pain,
  • numbness,
  • Pain in the whole hand or in the elbow,
  • unpleasant tingling and spasms,
  • Complaints resolve when the triggering activity is paused, but quickly recommence when one-sided burdens increase again,
  • Fall asleep hands.
The symptoms of a mouse arm vary from person to person. Often, pain occurs in the hand and elbow. (Image: absolutimages / fotolia.com)

diagnosis

In the case of a mouse arm, the diagnosis is made on the basis of the medical history (medical history) and a physical examination. The anamnesis interview gives the physician important clues to properly classify the symptoms. During the physical examination, the affected body regions are scanned. It checks if pain is triggered or increased by pressure. In addition, the doctor examines the surrounding joints and muscles for their functionality and strength.

At an advanced stage, measurement of nerve conduction velocity (NLG) is often performed. In this way, the RSI syndrome can be distinguished from the carpal tunnel syndrome.

treatment

In the treatment of the mouse arm different therapies come into question. The changes in movement and the pain therapy play a crucial role here. The pain therapy is to make the patients almost painless, to ensure that they do not overload by a restraint other surrounding regions. Promoting blood circulation can also help improve symptoms.

To act quickly
If the first symptoms of a mouse arm appear, action should be taken quickly so that it does not develop chronically. The first measures include:

  • Frequently changing the posture,
  • Allow the affected arm rest,
  • Do not leave the hand permanently on the mouse.

Tap mouse arm

Medical taping is a relatively new treatment method that is used in many areas. Medical taping brought together different elements and techniques from Japan, Korea, Germany and the Netherlands. This elastic strips are attached to the affected regions. These tapes have a stimulating, relieving and circulation-promoting effect on muscle parts and joints as well as on the lymphatic and nervous system due to their physical properties and the specific method of attachment. Experience shows that the tapes can be worn for several days without triggering skin irritation. The freedom of movement is not restricted.

envelopes
Changing envelopes (cold / warm) provide pain relief and a swelling of the irritated joints, tendons and muscles. By relieving pressure and promoting circulation, the healing process is accelerated.

movement therapy
The affected body parts are moved in warm exercise baths, thereby relaxing the muscles and the pain is naturally alleviated.

Epicondylitis bandages or braces
Frequently, so-called epicondylitis bandages or braces are used in the treatment of a mouse arm. These are usually prescribed by the doctor. The different bandages and braces have different materials and designs and can be adapted to the needs of the patient. For use, these are simply pulled over the arm.

infrared therapy
Through the use of infrared light to achieve a similar effect, as in the treatment of exercise baths. The muscles relax, the pain is relieved by the relaxation.

massages
Massages relax the tissue, the muscles can relax and the pressure pain disappears. These are best done by an experienced physiotherapist. Experience reports show that even Thai massages can provide relief for some patients.

In physiotherapy, various stretching and stretching exercises are performed to relieve the symptoms. (Image: WavebreakmediaMicro - fotolia)

psychotherapy
Especially for people with a chronic mouse arm, psychotherapy can be considered. Here, sufferers can learn to better perceive the signals of the body. Also, methods of stress prevention and stress reduction can be learned in the context of psychotherapy.

homeopathy

Homeopathy offers an alternative method of treatment for the mouse arm. In principle, an experienced therapist should decide on the means used. The rue Ruta is often used in the treatment of the mouse arm. Ruta helps with injuries to the periosteum and tendons as well as bruises, bruises and dislocations.

relaxation therapies

Relaxation therapies are used to specifically reduce stress through breathing techniques, stretching exercises and other relaxation methods. Proper breathing is liberating and promotes, among other things, the process to better perceive oneself. In naturopathy, for example, holotropic breathing has proven itself.

The ergonomic workplace

The first step was to adjust the chair height, the distance from the screen to the eyes and all ergonomically relevant conditions at the workplace:

  • The chair height should be between 40 and 50 centimeters,
  • the table height between 60 and 75 centimeters,
  • On the chair you should take an upright sitting position,
  • Knees and hips should be bent by about 90 degrees,
  • The distance between the head and the monitor should be about 50 centimeters.

In addition to a suitable seat and ergonomic tools should be used. These include ergonomically shaped mice or touchpads. Also, the keyboard should be ergonomic and have a comfortable working height, which allows a healthy and relieving posture of the arms, shoulders and head.

An ergonomically designed workplace is an important prevention against a mouse arm. (Image: heilpraxis.de/radovlad/fotolia.com)

Alternative input devices
Alternative input devices such as the Roller Mouse can prevent a mouse arm. The Roller Mouse is operated by a roller, which is stored on a pole. The operation is smooth and possible both with one and with both hands. The movement of the mouse pointer takes place by moving the rod in the desired direction. In contrast to the classic mouse, the Roller Mouse can only be operated with the fingers and not with the entire arm.

Another alternative is the roll bar. This senses the movement through an optical sensor. When the user touches the lateral end of the wand, the sensor is activated and the mouse pointer moves in the desired direction. The operation is considered intuitive and can be learned in a short time.

Room climate and lighting
Drafts and cold hands should be excluded when working on the computer. A pleasant indoor climate and sufficient fresh air through regular ventilation should be ensured. The lighting should be daylight in the best case. Alternatively you can use daylight lights.

headset
If you have a lot of calls while still using the keyboard or mouse, you should use a headset. This ensures a relieving head and sitting posture, without restricting the workflow.

Mouse arm exercises

Through daily work, our muscles shorten and thus develop a higher state of tension, which can limit the mobility. Stretching can reduce muscle tension and maintain or restore the original range of motion. The following exercises are just suggestions and should be discussed with a therapist.

Regular stretching exercises also in the workplace are a good way to protect yourself from the development of a mouse arm. (Image: contrastwerkstatt / fotolia.com)

Wrists and forearm stretch
Please do these exercises only if you are painless. If pain occurs during the exercises, you should stop exercising.

  1. Stand loosely and upright - with enough space forwards,
  2. Now extend the affected arm forward,
  3. with your elbow extended, carefully bend the wrist inwards - with your other hand, grasp your fingers and gently push them towards the body until you feel a slight pull in your forearm,
  4. hold for about 20 seconds and repeat three to five times.

Fingers, backs of hands and wrists stretch
You can do the following exercise for prevention and if you already feel a slight tugging or numbness. Here you can stay relaxed.

  1. Extend the fingers of the affected arm as far forward as possible,
  2. Now clench your hand into a fist, firmly squeezing your fingers together,
  3. Slowly bend your fist down to your forearm, as far as you can,
  4. from this position, slowly bend the fist back up,
  5. after about 30 seconds, stretch your fingers and relax,
  6. repeat the exercise three to five times.

Head and neck stretch
This exercise consists of different head positions, which you should hold for about ten seconds each.

  1. Relax, your arms are hanging loosely on your body,
  2. point your head forward and let it hang down slightly,
  3. turn your head facing the armpit to the left, hold for 10 seconds,
  4. Now turn your head to the right again, looking at the armpit, holding for 10 seconds,
  5. back to position 1 and now, with the posture upright, tilt your head to the left towards the shoulder, hold for 10 seconds,
  6. back to position 1 and tilt your head to the side to the right towards the shoulder, hold for 10 seconds,
  7. back to position 1 and put your head back and tilt slightly to the right,
  8. Then place the head from position 1 back in the neck and tilt slightly to the left.

To increase the stretching effect, you can pull the opposite arm at the same time slightly down. Repeat these exercises three times.

Stretching the mouse hand
This is a suitable sitting exercise for the hand used to operate the mouse:

  1. Take a comfortable sitting posture,
  2. make a fist and press it lightly,
  3. then open your hand by slowly pulling your drawn fingers outward,
  4. repeat this exercise three to five times.

(ca, vb, updated on 09.03.2018)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)