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Up0
Hi All,
Help!! I am not a usual computer user and have found over the last six months as I have been doing the background work for my new business that I have had to spend many many hours on the keyboard. Over the last couple of months it’s been between 20 and 40hrs a week.
My right arm is killing me! Shoulder, muscle behind the bicep, elbow, writst and right hand, both the palm and top.
How do you guys do it???
I have recently got rid of the mouse and replaced it with a swipey sort of keyboard and this has helped, but it’s still paining me.
In this start up phase I really can’t avoid the long hours at the laptop. I hardly use a computer in my paid job, which provides respite, but I’m wondering if anyone has tips – exercises I can do, technology I can purchase, tricks on how to manage what is starting to resemble RSI.
I figure with the businesses many of you run you must be spending longer on a computer than me, and might have some things to recommend. Could be just to toughen up of course
Most grateful for any suggestions.
Lee
The Rogue CounsellorUp0Thanks Karen, just checking the website out now.
Many years ago when the job I was doing required lots report writing in short stints of a week or two I used to have aching shoulders (from poor posture) and learned that standing to work at my computer suited me much better, which I’ve done ever since then (cannot find a way to sit at a computer without sloping shoulders, no matter how hard I try).
But your post made me realise my keyboard is now much lower than it was then. Will fix this bit to start with … and then scrutinise the site you recommended. And book in for a massage next week! I hadn’t actually thought of that, because I was concentrating on my paining arm and hand, but of course my back and shoulder need work too.
Much appreciated, thanks
Lee
The Rogue CounsellorUp0Thanks to all you helpful folk …
Have the telephone book out Pai1nter, but have tossed out last year’s so will need another ‘chunky’ thing to add. Tried using my left hand with the mouse but am way slow and clumsy with it and know I’m too lazy to persevere, hence the swipey keyboard thingo.
Love the idea of the massage as a business expense Miss Sassy, that is brilliant! And yeah, I do need to toughen up
Have had a look at the site you recommended Bentley, and while I agree with his philosophy (I’m a counsellor who regularly sees people’s emotional and psychological pain reflected physically) in this case I can confidently say my pain has nothing to do with my emotional state, and everything to do with my computer and mouse … But I’ll happily check out his other vids – I like his style
Lee
The Rogue CounsellorUp0Hi lee,
I have a handful of telemarketers that work for me and they spend 4-8 hours per day behind a screen & keyboard. What I always emphasise to them is walk around or move from your seat each hour and stretch. It allows your eyes to refocus as well as your back, neck and shoulders the opportunity to have its muscles elasticised after being cramped up in the same position for long periods of time.
This has improved focus and decreased the pain.
Ps – can never go wrong with a massage either
Cheers
Maria
OUT2MARKETSuzsSpace, post: 184770 wrote:Along with the massage you really need to learn to sit properly. This might entail getting the correct chair and adjusting it to the correct height and angle as well as making sure the keyboard, mouse and monitor are at the correct heights.This link shows the things I was taught when I was doing data entry in the dark ages:
http://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-an-Ergonomically-Correct-Workstation
Up0Just a few things i do,
I used to get tendonitis in my right wrist. In the end what saved me from surgery on my hand at 24 was a evoluent mouse. Its a sideways mouse. It will get you many strange looks, but it worked wonders for me. Also no one will use your computer, because they will not be able to drive it. :0
Easier said than done, but i try to be conscious of how i am sitting during the day. all the set up in the world wont help if you still slump forward. If i get into something i end up hunched over and glaring at the screen. I have a timer every 15 minutes. When it goes off, i get up, walk to the street, sometimes further if i am stuck, and then start again.
I used to work with a guy who slipped a ruler under his keyboard. If he started to sit forward the ruler poked him in the stomach. What ever works
I also know someone who works at their computer standing up. He has a bar height desk set up and stands at his computer. Some sit on fit balls too.
If i can get away form the computer, i will. I am trying to do about 2 hours of tasks away from the computer each day which is helping me.
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