Comments on: Fighting Repetitive Stress Injury

By: YodaMac

YodaMac — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:01:32 +0000

Been editing video for years using a Wacom tablet, and wouldn’t go back to a mouse for anything. Never had any wrist or shoulder problems from it.

By: Chris Lorensson

Chris Lorensson — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:02:37 +0000

hey guys here is a link to some great free physiotherpay videos that can help you stay limber–
http://www.grangephysio.com/excercises

By: JM

JM — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 18:59:32 +0000

Technology won’t fix it, physiotherapy won’t do it either. Only one thing works:-

Stop doing what hurts.

I was developing RSI over 20 years ago, and about that time a consultant came through and gave us all talks about putting our monitors at eye level, elbows by our side, yada, yada….

I followed her advice and three weeks later the pain had got so bad I was nearly crippled, I certainly couldn’t continue work like that.

So I switched entirely and just listened to my body. I took notice of where the pain was and started doing things differently. After 6 weeks I was the poster child for bad posture, bad practice, yada, yada.

But I was pain free and have been ever since.

By: Martin Cohen

Martin Cohen — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:03:28 +0000

Try the Logitech Trackman Wheel trackball. It has the ball on the left for the thumb (i.e., designed for a right-hander) and two buttons with a click wheel in between. I use it both at home and work and love it.

By: terryshaw09

terryshaw09 — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:33:53 +0000

yep definately important to be comfortable when at your computer desk for hours on end.

By: David Sinclair

David Sinclair — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 05:04:19 +0000

You might also like to check out my free break reminder product, Dejal Time Out. It has both micro-breaks and normal breaks… and did I mention it’s free?!

By: Lucky13

Lucky13 — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:41:29 +0000

My desktop arrangement is proving to be comfortable. I use a trackball with one hand and a Griffin Powermate with the other hand. The latter is great for scrolling thru documents and web pages. The workload is divided between both hands, which seems to help for long computer sessions.

I agree that when using a laptop’s built-in screen on a desk, some type of riser is very helpful. My iBook is now perched on a Griffin Elevator stand and I’m trying out one of Apple’s new wireless keyboards along with a wireless Mighty Mouse. The keyboard is fine but the jury is still out on the MM. I miss my Powermate!!

Stretching, breathing and all of that do seem to help. I also wear wrist supports when working at the computer for more than a few minutes.

By: Ep

Ep — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:44:36 +0000

Welcome to the club. I use MacBreakZ at work and it’s very helpful for remembering breaks. Stretching is extremely important. I’d type more, but I have RSI.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:46:48 +0000

Twist - good luck trying to do photo retouching with a trackball. Seriously, try and push to get a Wacom tablet like some of the others you said have them. They’re heaven.

By: Twist

Twist — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:48:10 +0000

I think I am getting RSI in my wrist thanks to my new job as a photo retoucher. The desks are horrible to begin with but for some reason mine is three inches taller than the others. I have never liked trackballs but I am starting to wonder if I should give one a try. Some of the other people doing the same job have been provided with drawing tablets but no such luck for me. The chairs are also pretty bad but at the end of a 50 hour work week it is my wrist that is hurting more than anything else.

By: Tyler Bye

Tyler Bye — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:27:44 +0000

Which chair did you end up going with? My cheap Aeron knock off is about to give up the ghost as well.

By: site-garage

site-garage — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:02:46 +0000

Dude, I’ve had a very similar problem. You have to get a riser for your MacBook Pro and get it off of the desk. You really want to avoid moving your head down to see the monitor and straining your neck. Get the computer at eye level. Griffin makes an excellent riser.

The nerves to your arms are between the c5 and c6 joints at the top of your neck. If you continually strain your neck to lower it so you can see your monitor better, you are rubbing that nerve causing problems in your arms. Rising my MacBook Pro off of my desk made all the difference in the world.

Plus, get Physical Therapy. The problem won’t just go away, but you they can show you exercises to strengthen your neck muscles.