Trying to avoid surgery

July 19, 2005 4:18 AM

ErgonomicFilter. Or, CarpalTunnel/Hernia PreventionFilter. I promise it's not the chair question- but a plea for tips writ large.

Despite the usual- ie Aeron chair with all the usual adjustments, and pull-out Microsoft ergonomic "Natural" keyboard, and keeping both feet on the floor, I'm feeling strain in my hands and arms after jsut a few minutes of typing. Can any and all offer advice- or trusted sources of information- on less-than-obvious ways to make sure I'm not going to have to amputate? I'm happy to buy devices if that's what it takes.

Oh. Potentially important, though not sure if anyone can recommend specific advice: I have size medium scoliosis (a spinal curvature) so the Aeron chair is adjusted for uber-lumbar support and the arms are different heights to compensate for my somewhan uneven shoulders.

posted by foxy_hedgehog to Computers & Internet (11 answers total)

I'm not an expert, but I can tell you what worked for me.

I was having back and shoulder pains at work (sitting in a cheap chair all day). I ended up getting a Humanscale chair, which alleviated most of my back pain, and some of my shoulder pain.

I continued reading on ergonomics, and figured out that my monitor was too high (tilting my neck back too read) and my keyboard was much too high. I lowered my keyboard (keyboard tray) and lowered my monitor, and just like that, all my problems disappeared.

Not sure if this will work for you, but I'd try lowering the keyboard.
posted by kungfujoe at 4:27 AM on July 19, 2005

Your wrists should be straight, neither bent up or down. You can get splints to hold them straight. Having the keyboard at the correct height and angle will do it naturally, but you might want to use the splints anyway.
posted by caddis at 5:22 AM on July 19, 2005

monitor height is very important for me. i recently tried raising my monitors by 2 inches, thinking i might improve things, and WOW - i was in pain for 2 days afterward. i also have found Smart Gloves for me are much better than the stiff wrist braces. next most important thing is taking a break to stretch neck, shoulders, arms and wrists, every hour or two. and also do those streches before bed. all these things have helped me immensely with wrist/arm/shoulder pain.
posted by chr1sb0y at 5:42 AM on July 19, 2005

Foxy, have you been to a Doctor? That might be a very good way to head off surgery. If they reach for a scalpel on the first visit pick someone else.

When I saw a Doctor for my wrist pain they put me on anti-inflamatory drugs and gave me some exercises. Additionally, I was encouraged to get in shape, specifically lifting weights.

Finally, you need to have someone trained in ergonomics come and adjust your workstation. The improvement after my visit from the ergonomic person was astounding. They simply adjusted my existing equipment. I'd read a lot and knew all the guidelines but it was nothing compared to having someone who really knew what they were doing.

Best luck, Dean
posted by deanj at 9:29 AM on July 19, 2005

Safetype keyboard. Check out the video, it explains it all.
posted by blue_beetle at 9:54 AM on July 19, 2005

Overall health and fitness are important, too. A tight neck, chest, or back can affect your arms. I've found Active Isolated Stretching. I know someone in the DC area who is a massage therapist and teaches it. Otherwise, you can get The Wharton's Stretch book and focus on your chest, neck, and arms.

Also, make sure your keyboard isn't too high. Go for a walk at midday.
posted by callmejay at 10:31 AM on July 19, 2005

It sounds like you've got just about every other product covered, so I'd throw in a Dynaflex as my suggestion. I had used computers for years with poor posture, and only when I had to actually work at one for 8 hours a day did I realize how much damage I had done to my wrists. A little bit of time at the end of the day with the little exercise ball got me rehabilitated to the point of feeling little to no daily pains from average use.

I've been jockied for even mentioning it though, a lot of people like to write it off as a toy (based on the video clips online, I don't know...) even though you really can't understand it untill you've used it in your own hands for a few minutes.
posted by prostyle at 11:29 AM on July 19, 2005

The two free things I do are to shake my hands every time I pause for a moment from typing, and to mouse left handed at work, and right handed at home.

I also wear biking gloves when driving for more than an hour or so and use a rubber steering wheel cover to dampen vibrations.
posted by QIbHom at 11:36 AM on July 19, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks for all of this great advice. Apropos of Dean's response- my workplace = my home (I'm a grad student). Do you know if there's such a thing as ergonomic consultants who have a reasonable price for a private consultation? Might you be able to recommend one or two or ten?

I'm in NYC, if that helps.
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 11:56 AM on July 19, 2005

I'd say
#1 get a break timer and do frequent stretches. There are lots for Windows, i think some are free. i use
Strretchware for Mac.

#2 look at SOREHAND
it is a list serve + resources, very knowledgeable folks, very helpful. Read some of the archives (you have to join to get the password) and then ask some questions. I agree, an ergonomics person is important, mine told me to try the Kensington Trackball (expert mouse) that saves my life. It's hard to know what to choose, there are so many options.
I started out icing my arms every 10 minutes, now I stretch about every 30-40 minutes. Good luck. Persevere!
posted by judybxxx at 2:20 PM on July 19, 2005

Being a grad student working at home does complicate things.

Investigate what medical resources you have via your University: usually they have some arrangements with specialists who can work with students inexpensively.
posted by deanj at 7:29 AM on July 22, 2005