Author Topic: Any Computer-Related Health Maladies? (Read 743 times)

Halo · « **on:** August 08, 2006, 11:48:08 PM »

With Aces High having such a (cough cough) vigorous clientele of combat-ready veterans and alumni, I'm wondering how many if any admit to any physical problems caused by time at the computer?

I am NOT enjoying a stiff neck and shoulder that finally rebuked me a couple days ago for my incessant habit of slouching, sometimes at an angle, at the computer. It should go away in a couple days, but meanwhile it surprised me with a genuine OW! getting out of bed one morning.

Googling reassures me it's probably nothing dire, but I came across some sad stories of people developing real problems from bad computing posture and similar physical stresses. Most alarming were some cases where people went in totally wrong directions and wasted lots of time and money on unsuccesful treatment.

So are all of you totally fit for combat or are some of you in computer rehab? Have you ever modified any of your computing habits as a result of related physical problems? If you are having problems, please summarize, especially with what you're doing to alleviate or cure them.

Two things I'm doing now is lowering my chair to get a more direct view of the screen and sitting more upright. I thought it was better to look down slightly at the screen, but now I'm thinking that is a stealth neck strain.

Any cumulative tips could be added to the Medical Advice section of Aces High along with cautions about how to avoid VD around bases in occupied territory.

Sandman · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2006, 10:40:48 AM »

It's the mouse that hurts me. I have Logitech Marble Mouse at home because the newer Microsoft optical mouse makes my knuckles ache.

At work, I use an older Microsfot Intellimouse. I like the shape of it, but wish it was optical. I tried using the marble mouse at work but it was too much of a good thing. Having one at home and at work just made my hand ache.

It's not carpal tunnel. It's the top of my hand that aches. Usually happens if I'm spending too much time at the computer. Other than changes in equipment, if my hands are aching, I stay off the machine other than to do schoolwork.

Logitech Marble Mouse:

Microsoft Optical Mouse:

Microsoft Intellimouse:

LePaul · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2006, 10:53:07 AM »

Ive got the starting signs of carpal tunnel. I do have bursitis going on and currently getting treatment for it at work.

The PT person Im working with is excellent. They also examined my workplace and made some good changed. Raised the monitor, different chair, etc.

Repettive stress injury is what they classify it as.

Now that Im aware of it, I do the suggested stretches, get away from the computer/server room every 15 mins or so and walk around more.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2006, 11:10:58 AM »

My Wife and I both spend an enormous amount of time at computers. I have been at them for 25+ years.

It's not only about posture, but about aligning everything correctly.

1) When you sit at your desk, rest your forearms on the desktop. Your elbows/forearms should be on the desk and spread just about the width of your chest. Your arms should fully rest on the desk and not be supported by your shoulders. This gets rid of a lot of strain around the neck and upper shoulder area.

2) If you use a normal keyboard, get a wrist pad to place in front of it. Your wrists should be held in parallel with your forearms. This reduces/alleviates carpal tunnel syndrome.

3) At a normal desk, I fold my legs under my chair, as setting them flat on the floor raises my thighs from the chair and puts strain on my lower back. My Wife is able to put her feet flat on the floor. Just make sure your thighs and butt are supporting equally.

4) I made a special wrist support for my Wife for her mouse. It holds her wrist in parallel with her forearm, which alleviated her discomfort with her mouse.

5) Make sure the monitor is at eye level. It helps to reduce eye and neck strain.

I can tell you this much. If my chair gets so much as one inch out of alignment with my desk, it only takes a few hours for me to feel mortal pain around the lower neck/upper shoulder area.

lukster · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2006, 11:14:54 AM »

I thought I was experiencing carpal tunnel so I began wearing a wrist support. After a few weeks it went away, probably wasn't cts.

Airscrew · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2006, 12:48:34 PM »

I have the wrist pad for the mouse, and wrist support on the keyboard. been using them for a few years now. Before that I used to get a slight tingle in the fingers on my right hand, no more. I do get some aches and pains in my lower back, legs and Knees. I'm pretty sure it has to do with my posture because I tend to slump and slide down in my chair through out the day. I'm experminting with different monitor positions and settings on my chair till I find the one that works best.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2006, 01:04:31 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lukster
I thought I was experiencing carpal tunnel so I began wearing a wrist support. After a few weeks it went away, probably wasn't cts.

The onset of carpal tunnel syndrome can be alleviated by taking precautions to get the wrist and forearms aligned properly.

CTS is not a permanent condition, unless you allow it to continue unchecked.

Captain Virgil Hilts · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2006, 01:30:03 PM »

Hehe, Revor suffers from a terminal case of "Skuzzification", contracted while attempting to dodge Skuzzy in a game of "whack the mole". I guess since you play that sort of game on a computer..................... ...............

xrtoronto · « **Reply #8 on:** August 09, 2006, 02:50:34 PM »

A few years ago I developed something called peripheral denopathy. I was directed to St. Mike's Hospital here and it was discovered that I was sitting at my computer with my left arm, bent at the elbow, pressing down on the cushioned arm pad. Well the cusioning was not sufficient. In that position I rested my arm on a nerve (at the elbow) that caused my baby finger and the one next to it to go numb.

I solved it by putting a very soft pad under my elbow. It only took a couple/three weeks to clear up and have not had a problem since.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #9 on:** August 09, 2006, 03:29:21 PM »

I have not run into that one xrt. But I do have my elbows off the edge of the desk and only my forearms end up resting there.

xrtoronto · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2006, 03:37:20 PM »

I used the word 'denopathy' and I should have used the word 'neuropathy'.

Eagler · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2006, 03:42:56 PM »

skuzzy
what chair do you suggest?
at work we have Herman Millers and i can sit there all day in comfort
at home I have a sams club executive high back chair which has my lower back (two herninated disks) aching in about an hour
anything as good as the HM aeron for alot less?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2006, 03:48:53 PM »

My Wife's place uses those Herman Miller chairs. You will laugh. I use a cheap-o pneumatic office chair I got from Office Depot with an adjustable back (up/down fore/aft). I adjust the back so there is a pressure against my lower back.

I can sit all day long at a computer.

AWMac · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2006, 04:13:35 PM »

I just sit on my mouse and wiggle my hips.....

guess what I type with?

Mac

Jackal1 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2006, 06:50:59 AM »

I have a bunch of pretty severe "ankle humping" scars that were acquired in the O`club.
Other than that, only thing i can think of, is a couple of red marks from Skuzz slaps.