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Spitfire · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2000 3:50 am

No, that's not because of all the boring art i keep seeing here

[j/k].

I seriously have RSI and it's fucking annoying. I cant use my mouse at all, typing hurts and im incapable of holding my arm in a specific position for an extended time. Im typing this, and most posts, with one hand.

I was wondering if any of you has any experience with coping with RSI and some tips on how to make life for a design/internet junkie with RSi a bit more bearable.

*puppy dog eyes*

Nex · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2000 1:51 pm

Never heard of that thing.

poor guy

*pats spitfire on back*

how did you get that? sounds like you strained your muscles too often or something like that..

eyeball · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2000 2:10 pm

i think i'm coming down with it too.. it seems that if i'm on the computer for 2 hours or more (especially on my computer with my awkward desk), my elbow starts hurting, and although i usually start to put my elbow in different positions as it goes past 2 hours, it still hurts. i used to could be on my computer all night but not anymore.. i just say get a better desk or maybe more ergonomic hardware such as keyboard/mouse.. or even move your keyboard/mouse to a different position, like to your lap.

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[email protected]

Spitfire · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2000 10:47 pm

Repetitive Strain Injury (aka Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) is damage done to muscles, tendons and nerves by repeated, short distance, movement of the arm and hand. The first phase (what im in) is characterized(sp) by a strange discomfort in the muscles of the arm and hand, especially at the end of the day, and pain when using a mouse or any object that has to be precisely held and controlled. The 2nd phase is stronger discomfort, continued pain especially in the hands and elbow and tiredness. The 3rd phase is strong pain, often spreading throughout the body towards your back and legs, the inability to use your hands and extreme fatigue.

Im lucky to have a friend who also has it, so i can share some of her knowledge on this, but the foresight is quite scary. She has been jobless for more than a year now, and she's allmost incapable of tying her own shoelaces... I really hope i dont get that far, but besides hoping and staying away from the computer, theres not much i can do.

Ned · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2000 3:15 pm

I can sympathise Spit, I suffer from RSI and yes, it's sucks dead dogs cock! I have found a number of things help relive the pain:
I immerse my hands and wrists in a washbasin of hot water - as hot as I can stand for as long as possible without whimpering! It helps a lot and it's even better if you put some essential oils in, I tend to use Lavender & Ginger together and that works for me. Also things like Tiger Balm tend to help as well.
I've got a neoprene wrist support that I wear for short periods of time when I'm working or gaming (RSI is a twat if you like your 3D games!)
Lastly good posture when at the PC helps especialy if you've got wrist supports although they are a bit limited for drawing etc.
I don't know about you but I suffer more when it's cold so the neoprene support is great but for the ultimate grunge/tramp look - how about a pair of fingerless gloves! Tres Chic!

Ned

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A spacehopper, a spacehopper, my Kingdom for a spacehopper. . .

kurisu · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2000 5:34 pm

Hi Spitfire

Take lots of breaks - your tendons/etc need time so as not to swell/inflame. This is good also because you give your precious eyes a break from the screen radiation...

As soon you feel the pain - STOP! Hopefully, though, by taking breaks, you'll learn to stop before it hurts.

Your company might have a program (linked with their insurance) that can provide you with someone onsite to check out your workspace... to see if your chair height is set correctly, your monitor level doesn't make you stoop, the way you hold your keyboard and mouse isn't gnarly (you can draw me a picture of what you think that looks like

) and other things...

Good luck buddy! Take care of those hands, because they are (or I'm gonna have to kick ) your assets

-kurisu

psi burn · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2000 8:46 pm

is there a way to fix this injury? like, start throwing footballs or something to stretch your muscles? sounds pretty serious, how is it your friend cant even tie her shoelaces?

Spitfire · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2000 5:33 am

Kurisu : thanks buddy. But i work at home for my current employer. I told them im not gonna work the next few weeks though. I limit my "computer contact" to 1 hour max a day.

Ned : i wish i could play games still... the pain currently especially resides in my upper arms, and practically keeps me from bending my arms 90 degrees.Ill try the water thing though.

Psi : muscle control hurts. Making certain movements sends pain all through your arms and, in the 3d phase, throughout your whole body. She can hardly brush her teeth without pain.

I was thinking one of those rubber stressballs might work. They use those for athletes with arm/wrist injuries so it might be worth the try...

psi burn · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2000 9:02 am

can everyone get this injury from just being in the same spot for a while?

Spitfire · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2000 9:54 am

Psi, no. It takes repeated, controlled movement. Examples are : mouse/tablet usage, guitar/piano (or any other instrument) playing, flipping burgers, etc.

chalker · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2000 5:52 am

yep,

it's the disease of the future .. so may people who I know got it. designers and programmers. It is really annoying to.
I am seeing a fysiotherapist right now, and the most common thing with RSI is stress.
with stress you are tense, not taking any breaks, and you don't sit right anymore.

another thing is sport, excersise, food, breaks, deskheight , chair etc...etc..
it's not one thing, it's many things.

but the main thing is , don't stay to long behind the computer.

If people want more Info, you can contact me by mail, and i'll send you some.

mantis · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2000 6:15 am

o shit. This is kind of scary. I have a big welt/bruise like formation on my right hand which I use to control my mouse. I usually rest my hand on the pad on that spot and control the mouse with my wrist. Is this any implication of RSI?

Affected · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2000 7:52 am

Well, I did Aikido for a while, and among the pre-exercise warmup techniques they did were some stretching things that are supposed to prevent that kind of thing... Don't know for sure, though.

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Affected

Democracy is a lie

http://affected.xs.mw

[This message has been edited by Affected (edited July 04, 2000).]

Spitfire · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2000 11:11 pm

No, welts and bruises are not associated with RSI. Maybe you shouldn't slap your friends around

A friend told me a muscle stretching technique that really helps. You point your arm forward, with the inner side up, and put your hand in a 90degree angle up with the palm towards your face. Now massage your underarm right under the elbow while keeping your arm tense. It works...