quote:

Originally posted by Swamper It helps if u find time to work out your wrists too 1) Underhand barbell curls.. sit, rest forearm on your leg/knee, hold weight out and curl inwards 2) Same as #1, but not underhand (this one hurts, lol) 3) Those wrist grip things that you squeeze

Ive been working out and droing barbell preacher curls thinking I was working my biceps, but since doing this the paint that used to shoot through my wrist is no more...with regular moments of rest and stretching.

Its funny too since I'm the Office Ergonomics auditor for my office bldg. Soo bad I can't afford a high tech computer desk!

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If you can't stand for something, then you will fall for anything?

Maybe its time I do something before its too late.. Hope its gets better

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thanks for posting this up! soz to hear u have that. im going to get one of those gel mouse pads that u have been talking about. i already have one for my keyboard.
When i was reading that microsoft health tips (Fraggle poseted a link)i realised i have to change they way i sit @ the computer.
Everyone should have a look at that page.

sorry to hear sothis. i cant really relate, cos i havent experienced but i can imagine that something like this will put a strain on your life, and that really is too bad. i'm not sure what else to say except thanx for informing us about this....

and i hope that you can "fix" the problem, even if by surgery, if you wish to do so....or any other way possible.

good luck

>JM<

too bad for you sothis.. but good thingy you bring it up... I am not totally free of pain myself from time to time.... at this moment me shoulder is hurting... thingies are actually changing a bit from time to time ... then the shoulder, then the wrist, then the elbow...

what you all do have to consider is that for some it can also be a 'thing between the ears' as we call it in holland... you get to hear all of these stories and you think you have RSI or something... which is not always the case... (by this I am NOT saying sothis is thinking this or something... it's a true shame...

question 2 sothis: could you post a piccie of that gel-thingy, because I think I know what you mean, but I seriously consider buying one myself... just want to make sure I buy the good one

ps: I have my keyboard flat on the table... most people even ask me why ...but basicly that is not even enough ...

ps(2): not only compupeeps can get this... people who cut hair (I can't figure out the word for it at this moment) are also VERY catchy for this...

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Progressive

Hard = goed

I'm a physio, the CTS I've seen doesn't usually refer pain into the forearms - although it can. Also, in the UK, it's fairly standard to get the results of EMG (nerve conduction) studies before a definitive diagnosis can be made. Maybe it's different in the States. RSI, however, more often does give that sort of pain. True, there's often a neural component to RSI as well. (RSI has gone through too many name changes to mention, mainly because no one is sure exactly what it is - I went to a big conference on it about a year ago so hopefully my info is fairly current). (And of course anyone suffering from CTS should be guided by their doctor).

There's not a lot exercise can do for CTS. If I see it I refer it to a surgeon after EMG confirms - it's a simple release of the structures putting pressure on the nerve. But RSI is very different. When it's chronic, it can be very resistant to all treatment of any description. Fortunately, if you catch it early, things are a lot brighter.

Ergonomics are important. Simple things like watching where you've got the mouse - the amount of times I see someone clicking away AT ARM'S LENGTH! Shoulder's rounded forwards and hunched up by the ears. But I think the real problems occur when people sustain these postures for long periods of time without a break. The body is designed to move (like we don't know that here ) but at a comp it's easy to become immobile.

Nerve tissue ought to be able to glide through it's sheath. In the arm it extends all the way from the head to the fingers - that's why kolkiewolkie's symptoms are interesting. There are some exercise which specifically stretch the nerve tissue (a physio could teach them to anyone) but for most people, simply getting up and having a bloody good stretch every 15 or 30 minutes should be enough.

I'll shut up now. Wish you well sothis.

Sorry to hear about your trouble, Sothis. Hope you get better soon.

FWIW, here's my story:

I am a computer programmer. I use computers all day long and then come home and use a computer some more (ok, so I'm addicted). Anyway, I used to use a standard Microsoft scroll mouse both at work and at home. One day my hands and wrists started hurting very badly. I knew that I was starting to get CTS (or something similar), and it really scared me because computers are my life and my paycheck!

After some careful research, I made the following adjustments. Within a week my symptoms were gone. And they have not come back, even though my computer usage has not decreased.

Your mileage may vary, but these definitely helped me:

1. Replace your mouse with a Logitech TrackMan, the kind with the thumb ball: http://www.logitech.com/cf/products...overview.cfm/89. I have one on every computer that I use for extended periods of time, especially at work.

These things take some getting used to, but they keep your wrist movement to a minimum. The majority of movement on the TrackMan is with your thumb and fingers. Compare that with the wrist movement required to move around a mouse! Also, the TrackMan just looks cool and has the added bonus of deterring mouse users from using your computer.

When you get your TrackMan, make sure you set the mouse pointer speed so that you can sweep the screen (up/down and side to side) in one movement of your thumb. You should not have to pick up your thumb from the ball to gain more cursor distance. Also, Microsoft's "pointer acceleration" (if your computer has it) will let you make larger pointer movements by rolling the ball faster. This helps you get across the screen quickly and with shorter movements.

I AM a little concerned about my thumb joints wearing out, but I honestly have not had any trouble in that area, even with use for long periods of time. I've been using my TrackMan(s) for over two years now with no trouble.

The ONLY disadvantage I have found using the TrackMan is when working on any kind of graphics editing. This is due to the lack of precision in the ball.

Note: ditching my mouse for at TrackMan made the most improvement in my CTS-like symptoms!

2. Buy a gel wristpad to go in front of your keyboard. Make sure it's tall enough so that you can rest your wrists on it while you type. Again, I have one of these for each computer, especially at work. This is the second most helpful adjustment that I made.

3. Sitting position: make sure you are comfortable and you arms are at the right height relative to your keyboard and TrackMan (notice I didn't say mouse ). Another important helper is armrests. Make sure you have a chair with armrests that support your arms as you type and use the trackball.

4. As Grunfeld pointed out, taking breaks frequently is a good thing, and not just for your wrists. I continue to make the mistake of sitting at my computer for hours on end with no break, and every time I come away with glazed eyes and physical fatigue. So get up and take a break to get the ol' blood flowing!

As I said earlier, your mileage may vary. These adjustments definitely helped ME get rid of my symptoms and prolong the life of my wrists. Please feel free to offer suggestions and/or corrections. (Oh, and no, I do not work for Logitech, I just like their TrackMan! )

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Hmmm.. Sorry to hear you got the carpal. This is what computer addiction does to ya. Anyhow, there are other dangers to be concerned about too:

1. The CRT monitor emits EMFs that can alter your brainwaves. I don't have enough facts to figure out if it poses a danger to a person's health. I figure sitting in front of a monitor with little breaks for hours and hours is not healthy. I know eyesrain and other eye-related stresses (blur vision, near-sightedness, etc..) can be caused by the eyes being focused too long on the monitor.

maybe to prevent EMFs is to use a filter screen for the monitor.

BTW - do you work out or run or stretch? Cuz sitting on the comp all the time is like being a couch potato... ya become physcially unfit...

For mey, I'd never had problems with the keyboard.. there were days and months I chatted for 8-12 straight hours on icq but I never had wrist problems. There days and months on uh counterstrike and starcraft for 10+ hours.. These types of games required really fast typing and repetitive wrist movements. I'm not doing that again. LOL I used to spend lotz of hours on the comp. I"m starting to tone it down. if I can't live wiothout the cojmp, ther'es is soemthing wrong with me. hehe

Hope you get better.. take stock of your health too cuz TCS is usually health-related

Sorry to hear that....
By the way thanx....I didn't know this stuff was so serious, I must do something against it but I really don't know it that would be possible.
I can now feel a little pain in my wrist...or.....what???
Anyway good luck to you with the treatment...
Hope you get well soon

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quote:

Originally posted by u4ea:[soulstar] 1. The CRT monitor emits EMFs that can alter your brainwaves. I don't have enough facts to figure out if it poses a danger to a person's health. I figure sitting in front of a monitor with little breaks for hours and hours is not healthy. I know eyesrain and other eye-related stresses (blur vision, near-sightedness, etc..) can be caused by the eyes being focused too long on the monitor.

/me hugs his lcd monitor.

funny thing is now my eyes water and blur like crazy when i have to work on crt monitors.

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and you thought you had issues

*grabs the lcd and runs away with it*

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Hey Everyone-

New to the board. But thought I'd post my 2 cents on this subject (since I'm a sufferer as well).

The ball mouse is a great tool for your right hand). However, I first developed it in my left hand! In addition to the mouse, I used an ergonomic keyboard that slants, along with a gel wrist supporter. This helped tremendously. Other comments are also useful, including your posture, your entire arm position with arm rests remaining relatively level with the keyboard. The bottom line is you want to minimize the unnatural slant of your wrists as much as possible. If you hold your arms out and keep your wrists level with your arms, you'll notice a slight inward bend in the wrists. That's the natural position, which you'll want to keep. This is why an ergonomic keyboard helps out so much (at least for me).

Also, foam sqeeze balls, as well as other wrist exercises with dumbells can help increase the balance of overall wrist musculature, This can eventually help alleviate pain from the tired muscles in the wrist. Hope this helps.

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with leaves all crimson conquered,
I yearn to shout,
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and stick pickles in my honker...