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Developed by a pioneer in the area of overuse injuries, Dr P Michael Leahy designed the Zero Tension Mouse to reduce the likelihood of developing repetitive strain injuries. Whether you are working on the computer all day, gaming, or just surfing the net, the Zero Tension Mouse promises to allow you to do it with greater comfort and ease.

A few years ago Dr. Michael Leahy defined the cumulative injury cycle and explained why soft tissues like nerves and muscles became injured with repetitive motion. Until this time the standard treatments were ultrasound, electrical stimulation, massage and nerve and muscle stretching. In general the problem was not resolved.

The one factor that could be minimised was tension on the tissues or ?relaxation? of the muscles. If the muscles could be relaxed during the activity but still maintain function then the problem could be avoided and the employer would still be happy with production.

With the Zero Tension Mouse all of the muscles of the hand, arm and shoulder/neck can relax and do so more effectively than with any other device in the world. In fact, nothing else comes close, claims the company.

When the hand is completely relaxed the fingers flex and the hand is half way between a fist and completely straight. This balances the tension between the flexors and extensors of the fingers. When the flexors are tight they can trap the median nerve and cause what is commonly but erroneously called ?carpal tunnel syndrome.? When the extensors are too tight they can cause epicondylitis or ?tennis elbow.? They can even trap the radial nerve and cause numbness in the hand.

In order to prevent this the hand must be positioned so that it is not too straight and not closed too tight. The Zero Tension Mouse claims to exactly balance the flexors and extensors so that they can relax. A regular mouse causes the extensors to tighten in order to hold the fingers slightly above the mouse buttons. They are under slight tension all the time which causes the cumulative injury effect.

With a regular mouse the wrist is usually extended slightly. This is not a major problem but the tension on the wrist extensors to maintain this position is definitely a problem. The Zero Tension Mouse also claims to eliminate this problem by placing the wrist in neutral between flexion and extension. It also places the wrist upright instead of flat so that the wrist extensors can relax instead of tightening to maintain position.

The wrist is upright instead of flat in order to balance the pronators and supinator. These muscles turn the palm up and down and in a regular mouse they twist the wrist palm down so that all three muscles are tight. Over time this becomes a significant problem causing that all too familiar syndrome called ?carpal tunnel.?

But perhaps the most important feature of the Zero Tension Mouse is it?s ability to relax the shoulder and neck. With a regular mouse the weight of the arm and shoulder is supported by the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles. The scalenes also tighten as the shoulder is supported. This is because you cannot rest the weight of the arm and shoulder on the mouse while using it.

The Zero Tension Mouse allows you to rest the arm and shoulder on the cradle for the hand. If you keep the mouse relatively close to the body the entire arm, shoulder and neck will relax. Most people feel an instant relief when switching to the Zero Tension Mouse, says the company.