January 17, 2008
An Ohio company has developed a new computer product that makes long days on the computer more endurable. It is not a computer device, but an aid to people who suffer from computer-related injuries and ailments. Millions of computer operators are spending hours of continuous keyboard and mouse operation, which begins to take a toll on parts of the body.
To help relieve that discomfort, Mike Thiergartner and Art Woolum, proprietors of Marysville Industrial Inc., recently began producing the patented Thermorest wrist rest.
The Thermorest is a device that warms the wrists, fingers and hands, improving circulation. The Thermorest is placed in front of a computer keyboard or mouse pad, warming up to a comfortable 105 degrees. The heat gently warms the wrist area, dilating blood vessels, resulting in improved circulation in the wrists, hands and fingers. Its therapeutic effect is similar to a heating pad’s, and the Thermorest only consumes 25 watts of power--the same as one fluorescent light bulb—to do its job.
Test market results for the Thermorest were impressive. All of the respondents tested who said they experienced cold fingers while operating a computer said the Thermorest helped relieve their symptoms, and 50 percent said it helped reduce fatigue while they operated a computer. Eighty percent of the test subjects who said they experienced aching fingers while operating a computer reported that Thermorest helped relieve their symptoms.
“Warming the wrist may reduce the onset of several Cumulative Trauma Disorders,” Thiergartner said.
“These include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Reynaud's Syndrome (or chronic cold fingers), DeQuervain’s Disease, tendonitis and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which produces a burning sensation in the hand.
“Some of the common symptoms of these disorders are numbness, decreased joint motion, swelling, burning, pain, redness, weakness, tingling, clumsiness and cracking or popping of the joints. Symptoms may affect the back, shoulders, wrists, hands or fingers. These types of disorders now account for more than 50 percent of all occupational illnesses and injuries.”
“The Thermorest can passively reduce physical damage, help avoid Carpal Tunnel surgery and speed recovery from it, as well as reduce Workers’ Compensation claims and costs,” Woolum added. “The reduced medical claims and costs should interest individuals and businesses alike, since each Carpal Tunnel claim can cost from $30,000 to $100,000. If your company has high Workers’ Compensation costs or has experienced lost productivity due to Cumulative Trauma Disorder cases, then Thermorest can help your company and your associates.”
“The Thermorest also speeds recovery from CTD surgery by improving circulation in the invasive area,” Thiergartner said. “It may even help prevent surgery when used after early detection of the disorders.”
“The Thermorest is a product that promotes better occupational health, both at work and at home, by reducing pain, discomfort and expenses,” Woolum said.
“More and more of Americans’ time at work is being spent on computers, and statistics show that we’re spending more of our time at home on them, too,” Thiergartner said. “About 82 percent of American households now have a computer in the home—nearly double the percentage of homes who had one just ten years ago.”
“If we’re going to use these machines everywhere we go, we owe it to ourselves—and our families, co-workers and employees—to provide for our best health and comfort while we do,” Woolum said. “The Thermorest was designed with that goal in mind.”
For more information on the Thermorest, call Marysville Industrial, Inc., at 937-537-0367, or order on the web at www.thermorest.net.