You hold a vertical mouse in a handshake position. This grip is specifically designed to align your wrist and forearm in a more natural posture compared to traditional, flat mice.
The Handshake Grip Explained
Holding a vertical mouse is quite intuitive once you try it. Instead of resting your palm flat on the mouse, you grip the mouse with your hand positioned as if you were about to shake someone's hand. Your fingers naturally fall onto the buttons and scroll wheel located on the side of the mouse.
Why the Handshake Position is Key
The core benefit of the vertical mouse's design and the resulting handshake grip is its impact on wrist and forearm alignment.
As highlighted by Schmid, et al. (2015), you hold a vertical mouse in a handshake position, which has less lateral wrist-bending and forearm rotation. The handshake position of vertical mice keeps the wrist from bending as much to the side while the forearm also turns inward to a lesser degree.
This reduced bending (ulnar or radial deviation) and less inward turning (pronation) help maintain a more neutral alignment of the carpal bones and forearm muscles.
Benefits of This Ergonomic Grip
Using the handshake grip with a vertical mouse can offer several advantages:
- Reduced Lateral Wrist Bending: Your wrist doesn't have to bend unnaturally to the side.
- Minimized Forearm Rotation: Your forearm is less twisted inward (pronated).
- More Natural Posture: Aligns the wrist, forearm, and elbow in a more relaxed position.
- Potential for Reduced Strain: May help alleviate discomfort associated with prolonged use of standard mice, such as symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injuries.
Vertical vs. Standard Mouse Grip
Here's a quick comparison of how your hand and wrist are typically positioned with each type of mouse:
| Feature | Vertical Mouse Grip | Standard Mouse Grip |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Posture | Handshake position | Palm-down position |
| Wrist Bending | Less lateral bending | More lateral bending |
| Forearm Rotation | Less inward rotation (pronation) | More inward rotation (pronation) |
| Natural Alignment | Closer to neutral | Twisted from neutral |
Getting Started
When transitioning to a vertical mouse, place it on your desk directly in front of your shoulder. Grip the mouse gently in the handshake position, letting your fingers rest comfortably on the buttons. Allow yourself some time to adjust to this new way of interacting with your computer.
