Arm pain
ronv...@gmail.com
I get a burning, stinging, tingling, numb sensation in the lower part
of my right arm, my mouse are, after working more than say twelve or
fifteen hours. As I get older I get less able to sleep this off. Does
anyone have any suggestions for how to avoid doing long term damage? I
can handle the discomfort but if I continue to do nothing it could
become a real, and by real I mean expensive, problem. I put a cushion
under my arm, which helped a lot, but I wish there was something else
I could do.
Thanks,
Ron
Andrew Morton
> I get a burning, stinging, tingling, numb sensation in the lower part
> of my right arm, my mouse are, after working more than say twelve or
> fifteen hours.
Do you have breaks of an hour or so a few times during those long hours? And
shorter breaks every hour? Your eyes need exercise looking further away than
the monitor.
> As I get older I get less able to sleep this off. Does
> anyone have any suggestions for how to avoid doing long term damage?
Have you tried using a Wacom tablet instead? I've put a thin board under
mine which extends over the edge of my desk to support my elbow.
> I can handle the discomfort
Remember that the pain is telling you "don't do that!"
> but if I continue to do nothing it could
> become a real, and by real I mean expensive, problem. I put a cushion
> under my arm, which helped a lot, but I wish there was something else
> I could do.
Google for "avoid RSI".
*Go and see a doctor.*
HTH
Andrew
Ragnar
You are in big trouble. See the doctor right away.
I am not joking. Don't imagine you can sort it out on your own.
Schraalhans Keukenmeester
monkeys type:
Ron, your message sounds all too familiar. My ex-wife still suffers the
consequences of severe RSI, at times she can't even hold a cup of coffee.
She's had a lot of treatment, spent almost a YEAR at home from work, but
she'll never completely get rid of it. And a friend of mine had to give up
his job completely resulting from ignored RSI. He can't drive a car
anymore, to name just one handicap. Please be smart, do not ignore these
signs.
From our own experience (but please consult your gp!!!):
- Screen at the right viewing angles (hor and ver)
- A proper chair, at the right hight, with a good back support.
- If necessary, foot support
- Breaks breaks breaks! Don't wait till it hurts, schedule breaks
regularly. (There is software out there monitoring your habits and warning
you when it's time to step away from the keyb)
- Training using a Powerball might help (google) strengthen muscles
- Some people benefit from special 'split' ergonomical keyboards
- A tablet and pen straing the wrist less than a mouse, but the key is
variation.
- Good light. Avoid reflections where you can. Diminish contrast between
screen and what's behind it. A small well-placd light could help.
- Avoid STRESS. Constantly working under stress appears to be the number
one cause of RSI. Avoid working against deadlines.
- Use of wrist supports is recommended by some, and considered very bad by
others. YMMV.
- Get enough physical exercise.
- Learn how to actively relax. Sounds contradictory but isn't. People tend
to keep theire muscles' tension quite high subconsciously. Although it has
a negative connotation with many, yoga isn't a cuss word here.
Hope you find a way to keep doing what you do/like best without ruining
your powerhouse!
GOOD LUCK!
If you want to discuss in detail, feel free to mail me.
Sh.
--
Schraalhans Keukenmeester - schra...@the.Spamtrapexample.nl
[Remove the lowercase part of Spamtrap to send me a message]
"strcmp('apples','oranges') < 0"
ronv...@gmail.com
<Schraalh...@the.spamtrapexample.nl> wrote:
Hey you guys are scaring me - cut it out. Actually it used to be a lot
worse. I worked at a desk that had my elbows almost up to my
shoulders. I hate to whine so I put up with it but the pain began to
extend into the pit of my arm and shoulder, I started to loose feeling
so I finally dealt with it - it is far better now. Now I wish I had
said something sooner though. I will carefully consider you advice and
implement what it possible.
Thanks,
Ron
michael
in his Pain Free book is incredibly helpful and makes sense and works for
me.
M
<ronv...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1182248962.3...@q69g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
John McWilliams
I think you should be scared enough to change your habits, asap! My gf
also suffered from similar.
One thing that's helped me avoid same is extensive use of keyboard
shortcuts. Just keeping ones's hand poised over the mouse can produce
bad effects.
Best wishes,
John McWilliams
John Passaneau
news:1182236830.9...@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com:
Hi Ron:
All I can say is been there, done that. My suggestions are to switch to a
track ball mouse, and its best that it’s one that uses your thumb. Take
breaks often standing up and moving your arms. Make sure your mouse and
keyboard are at the right height so your wrists are not bent when typing
or using the mouse. Lastly go see a doctor, it may get better by itself
but it may not and lasting damage to the nerves in your hands and wrists
may happen. I spent many years working on the keyboard and mouse running
AutoCAD. I’ve had the surgery on both wrists and it was a complete
successes, I have no pain and no numbness. But I still follow all the
things I’ve mentioned above.
John Passaneau
Paul Hartman/Dirty Linen
In addition to the advice in other replies, these have worked for me:
Handeze fingerless gloves:
http://www.handeze.com/
Also available at sewing/crafts stores. It's important to get the
right size. (Hint: wear the goves inside-out -- looks ugly but then
the seams don't leave creases in your skin.)
Ergonomic keyboard (the kind that looks like it's broken)
(Comes with a wrist rest. We also have a "normal" keyboard with a
padded wrist rest.)
Chair with arms to rest elbows on
Frequent breaks
-paul
--
Paul Hartman/Dirty Linen
The Magazine of Folk and World Music
www.dirtylinen.com
Remove "SpamBeGone" to reply.
edjh
Yes! Doctor is absolutely what you need. This is not a minor thing.
--
Comic book sketches and artwork:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/edjh.html
Comics art for sale:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/batsale.html
Mike Russell
> Hi,
> I get a burning, stinging, tingling, numb sensation in the lower part
> of my right arm, my mouse are, after working more than say twelve or
> fifteen hours. As I get older I get less able to sleep this off. Does
> anyone have any suggestions for how to avoid doing long term damage? I
> can handle the discomfort but if I continue to do nothing it could
> become a real, and by real I mean expensive, problem. I put a cushion
> under my arm, which helped a lot, but I wish there was something else
> I could do.
Perhaps switching to a different device such as a Wacom tablet for part
of the day. Also, 12 to 15 hours is too much, as it will make the rest
of us appear unproductive by comparison.
---
Mike Russell www.curvemeister.com
ronv...@gmail.com
wrote:
> Perhaps switching to a different device such as a Wacom tablet for part
> of the day. Also, 12 to 15 hours is too much, as it will make the rest
> of us appear unproductive by comparison.
> ---
> Mike Russellwww.curvemeister.com
I can't help it Mike, I have started designing filters and it's the
most compelling and engaging activity I have ever came across. 16
hours is nothing - that goes by in a flash. But the editor is node
based so I didn't consider my Wacom but now that you mention it, it
may work. Either way my arm hardly moves with either device. Oddly
enough when I use my mouse it rarely move more than an half inch
because I constantly pick it up. Even though my table it only 4" by 5"
it seems far too large because ordinarily my arm never moves. But now
that I think about it maybe the tablet would *force* me to move my
arm. I guess that is what you are saying.
Thanks
Let the big fish rule
<ronv...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1182236830.9...@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
John McWilliams
arm and hand away from the mouse, and is a different set of movements.
--
john mcwilliams
ronv...@gmail.com
> And that's one reason I advocate use of keyboard shortcuts: It gets your
> arm and hand away from the mouse, and is a different set of movements.
>
> --
> john mcwilliams
Ok John, I see, the idea is to change it up, hence the R in RSI. I am
going to try moving the mouse over to the left side and use the tablet
on the right side. Keyboard shortcuts make a lot of sense too - I will
see what are available.
Thanks to everyone for their valuable suggestions,
Ron
Dave
Hi Ron,
I suggest you visit South Africa for free medical advise on the
problem with your arm. And luckily, Internet shrink the world such as
it is only neccesary to click here, and you are right in the
consulting rooms, and you can even pick between docters:
http://www.health24.com/default.asp
or even
http://www.health24.com/experts/979.asp?gclid=CLacya6Ml4sCFRkcEAodWzm1Sw
Keep this link on your desktop.
Dave
Dave
>On Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:07:10 -0000, "ronv...@gmail.com"
><ronv...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>I get a burning, stinging, tingling, numb sensation in the lower part
>>of my right arm, my mouse are, after working more than say twelve or
>>fifteen hours. As I get older I get less able to sleep this off. Does
>>anyone have any suggestions for how to avoid doing long term damage? I
>>can handle the discomfort but if I continue to do nothing it could
>>become a real, and by real I mean expensive, problem. I put a cushion
>>under my arm, which helped a lot, but I wish there was something else
>>I could do.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Ron
>
>
Hi Ron
I suggest you visit South Africa for free medical advise on the
problem with your arm. And luckily, Internet shrink the world such as
it is only necessary to click here, and you are right in the
consulting rooms, and you can even pick between dotters:
Dave
>On Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:54:11 +0200, Dave <d...@d.durbs> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:07:10 -0000, "ronv...@gmail.com"
>><ronv...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Hi,
>>>I get a burning, stinging, tingling, numb sensation in the lower part
>>>of my right arm, my mouse are, after working more than say twelve or
>>>fifteen hours. As I get older I get less able to sleep this off. Does
>>>anyone have any suggestions for how to avoid doing long term damage? I
>>>can handle the discomfort but if I continue to do nothing it could
>>>become a real, and by real I mean expensive, problem. I put a cushion
>>>under my arm, which helped a lot, but I wish there was something else
>>>I could do.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Ron
>>
>>
>
>
Hi Ron
I suggest you visit South Africa for free medical advise on the
problem with your arm. And luckily, Internet shrink the world such as
it is only necessary to click here, and you are right in the
consulting rooms, and you can even pick between doctors:
http://www.health24.com/default.asp
or even
http://www.health24.com/experts/979.asp?gclid=CLacya6Ml4sCFRkcEAodWzm1Sw
Keep this link on your desktop.
Dave
PS.
Sorry for whoever received this mail more than once.
I made a typing error which I corrected but I doubt
if anyone picked up the first.
MisterMax
(and its mouse) with my right hand. It has helped me. I also suggest a
timer across the room so that you get out of your chair every 15 minutes
or so to stop the beep and restart it. That's been particularly
beneficial to my back.
- Max
KatWoman
twelve or fifteen hours<< too much in one go
your eyes need rest too
watch how you rest your elbows, could be the "funny bone" it will make arm
numbness if you press it at a bad angle
observe your body and see if you are getting pinched nerves in the shoulder
area
use adjustable ARMRESTS>>>chair without arms is no good
make sure shoulder and arm are straight line sloping down not up (chair
height)
aspirin, breaks and stretching, go to a chiropractor for adjustment 2-3
times a week or massage
make sure your mouse is good size for your hands and your wrists are not
bent too much
your mouse may be adjustable in the software for less hand movement to equal
more screen movement, use easy glide surface for it or as suggested maybe
try the pen and tablet
not likely but
have your heart checked if you are over 35
arm numbness can signal heart attack
ronv...@gmail.com
> For a long time I have used a mouse with my left hand and the tablet
> (and its mouse) with my right hand. It has helped me. I also suggest a
> timer across the room so that you get out of your chair every 15 minutes
> or so to stop the beep and restart it. That's been particularly
> beneficial to my back.
> - Max
Thanks Max,
So far the new arrangement has been awkward, uncomfortable,
distracting and a little slow but hopefully I have began the long
process of unwinding whatever damage I have done to my right arm. Now
if I can just figure out what replaces the mouse wheel on the Wacom.
Already there have been some advantages; I used to use my left arm for
resting my chin, now I sit up straight. I am committed to the changes.
ronv...@gmail.com
> twelve or fifteen hours<< too much in one go
> your eyes need rest too
> watch how you rest your elbows, could be the "funny bone" it will make arm
> numbness if you press it at a bad angle
> observe your body and see if you are getting pinched nerves in the shoulder
> area
> use adjustable ARMRESTS>>>chair without arms is no good
> make sure shoulder and arm are straight line sloping down not up (chair
> height)
> aspirin, breaks and stretching, go to a chiropractor for adjustment 2-3
> times a week or massage
> make sure your mouse is good size for your hands and your wrists are not
> bent too much
> your mouse may be adjustable in the software for less hand movement to equal
> more screen movement, use easy glide surface for it or as suggested maybe
> try the pen and tablet
Thanks KW, and everyone. I think moving the mouse to the left side and
tablet on the right will mix things up enough to get things back to
normal. It took years to get into this situation and I expect it to
take years to get back out but I think I have addressed it in time.
As for long sessions; one of my most valuable skills is the ability to
remain focused for extended periods - I don't want to change that.
Jason
spam...@hotmail.com says...
>
> make sure shoulder and arm are straight line sloping down not up (chair
> height)
This is crucial! I have spent 30+ years working at a computer keyboard
and the two best things I did were to buy a seriously good chair and to
put a sliding shelf under the desktop to hold the keyboard and mouse so
that my arms aren't bent. I was starting to show carpal tunnel symptoms
years ago, and they vanished shortly after I moved the keyboard/mouse
about 3" down from the desktop.
Jason
--
reverse my name in email address
student
A bit late, but had right elbow pain when using a mouse for too long at work;
my solution was to get the company to get me a trackball like the one
I use at home; elbow pain gone.
Windows is a hazard to one's health.
ronv...@gmail.com
> get the company to get me a trackball like the one
> I use at home; elbow pain gone.
>
> Windows is a hazard to one's health.
Hi,
Moving the mouse to the left side and working primarily with the
tablet was awkward, uncomfortable and slow, in fact in the beginning
it hurt even more, but after a week or so it began to feel natural,
even more efficient, and now the pain has been dramatically reduced
and hopefully will eventually be completely reversed. I am keeping my
arms straighter too. Yesterday I just *looked* at my old tall desk and
it made my arm hurt. I never should have put off dealing with it for
as long as I did. The trackball sounds like a good solution too but
probably not much better than the tablet.
Thanks for the suggestion,
Ron
student
on a photoshop group that many went the way of either trackball
or mostly tablet. I just never got the hang on the use of the tablet
but that was probably my impatience; may reinstall my wacom tablet
for a trial.
ronv...@gmail.com
> I just never got the hang on the use of the tablet
> but that was probably my impatience; may reinstall my wacom tablet
> for a trial.
I could hardly wait to get my tablet but when I got it I hated it. I
had not realized that the way I worked was to hardly move my arm at
all. The tablet forces me to move my arm. It is only the 4.5"x5.25"
version but it was more movement than I was used to so I mostly
shelved it. After I decided to force myself to use it, it took about a
week to get used to it. Now, after a month or so (albeit many hours/
day), it is completely natural, possibly more so than the mouse
because I have spent a lot of time with a pencil in that hand, and
because of the reduction in pain even preferable - I could even see
getting one of the bigger versions one day. I'm not recommending that
you move away from the trackball because I have no way to know about
that only that my initial impressions of the tablet were also negative
but it was worth the effort to make the transition. I am not working
in PS or AI right now but when I get back to it I look forward to
taking advantage of some of the more advanced features like tilt,
pressure and erase etc.
Brgds,
Ron
Peter Wollenberg
>On Jul 19, 8:52 pm, student <guest@csus_.edu> wrote:
>> I just never got the hang on the use of the tablet
>> but that was probably my impatience; may reinstall my wacom tablet
>> for a trial.
>
>I could hardly wait to get my tablet but when I got it I hated it. I
>had not realized that the way I worked was to hardly move my arm at
>all. The tablet forces me to move my arm. It is only the 4.5"x5.25"
>version but it was more movement than I was used to ...
...
Ron, did you try the tablet in mouse mode? If it is a Wacom, it should
be possible to switch. I used mine in tablet mode first, but when I
understood that this is only useful if you actually paint or digitize
with it, I changed the mode and am happy since then. I habe a large
Wacom at work but I do not need more than the are of a small tablet.
Try it, if possible, may be things will improve further. Good luck
Peter
ronv...@gmail.com
>
> Ron, did you try the tablet in mouse mode?
Hi Peter,
I did not know about the mouse mode. I tried it and as foreign as the
absolute positioning was when I started the relative now feels just as
strange. If I would have tried mouse mode to begin with I would have
used it I can tell you that. But since moving my arm is different than
I used to work I think it may be good for me. What I wish for now is
a zoom wheel on the stylus. I don't like using the zoom strip. I have
been zooming with my left hand using the mouse wheel.
Thanks for the tip,
Ron
Wizard of Draws
1184922516.6...@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com, "ronv...@gmail.com"
<ronv...@gmail.com> wrote:
You may want to look at a Griffin PowerMate for your left hand. I have one
at home and find myself reaching for the one I don't have at work.
--
Jeff 'The Wizard of Draws' Bucchino
Cartoons with a Touch of Magic
http://www.wizardofdraws.com
More Cartoons with a Touch of Magic
http://www.cartoonclipart.com
ronv...@gmail.com
<jeff.bucchinoS...@CATCHERgmail.com> wrote:
> On 7/20/07 5:08 AM, in article
>
>
>
> <ronvi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Jul 20, 3:29 am, jenelisepasc...@web.de (Peter Wollenberg) wrote:
>
> >> Ron, did you try the tablet in mouse mode?
>
> > Hi Peter,
> > I did not know about the mouse mode. I tried it and as foreign as the
> > absolute positioning was when I started the relative now feels just as
> > strange. If I would have tried mouse mode to begin with I would have
> > used it I can tell you that. But since moving my arm is different than
> > I used to work I think it may be good for me. What I wish for now is
> > a zoom wheel on the stylus. I don't like using the zoom strip. I have
> > been zooming with my left hand using the mouse wheel.
>
> > Thanks for the tip,
> > Ron
>
> You may want to look at a Griffin PowerMate for your left hand. I have one
> at home and find myself reaching for the one I don't have at work.
> --
> Jeff 'The Wizard of Draws' Bucchino
>
Granted it looks cool but I don't see how it improves on my mouse
wheel. Not saying it doesn't - just saying I don't see it.
Thanks,
Ron
Wizard of Draws
1186472330....@o61g2000hsh.googlegroups.com, "ronv...@gmail.com"
<ronv...@gmail.com> wrote:
It's programmable. Zoom, increase/decrease brush size, you name it for
Photoshop. Program the keystrokes you want to send to the program with a
wheel turn and/or button presses.
Programable for ITunes, Entourage, IPhoto, IE, Final Cut Pro, Acrobat
Reader, and Global settings also.
Solid feel, stays put on the desktop with a clear rubber base that glows or
pulses electric blue (or not), not a lot of desk space needed, easy to
program, looks cool. I got it as an Xmas gift, and while it's not
indispensable to me, I do find it very convenient.
ronv...@gmail.com
<jeff.bucchinoS...@CATCHERgmail.com> wrote:
>
> It's programmable. --
> Jeff 'The Wizard of Draws' Bucchino
>
> Cartoons with a Touch of Magichttp://www.wizardofdraws.com
>
> More Cartoons with a Touch of Magichttp://www.cartoonclipart.com
Hi Jeff,
I wonder if this could work as a middle mouse button for Maya. I have
just started using it and I do not want to re-configure my stylus to
be used as a middle mouse button because I like it how it is. I was
hoping my mouse wheel could act as a middle mouse button but I so far
I have not figured out how to set it up. You don't use Maya by any
chance do you?
Thanks,
Ron
Nice clip art BTW - thanks for making it available.
Wizard of Draws
1186541425....@e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com, "ronv...@gmail.com"
<ronv...@gmail.com> wrote:
I don't use Maya so I can't help you with specifics there. But the PowerMate
is programmable to send the computer whatever keystrokes you tell it to.
Keyboard shortcuts are setup in the preferences pane and the programs I
listed are already setup for you. Additional programs are very easy to add
just by browsing and choosing.
Thank you.