Google Staff MD on Carpal Tunnel & RSI

bariswheel writes "Every older and some younger Slashdotters have been subject to that tingling feeling in your wrist after countless hours of hacking, cracking, or playing CS. This Google Blog, posted by the Staff MD addresses this serious symptom that could potentially lead to "compression of the nerve which can cause numbness or tingling and eventually weakness if the nerve is damaged severely." Didn't think hard work would hurt anybody right?"

Comments

Used to have that problem

[DoctorPepper]

Then I bought a Microsoft Natural Keyboard. I don't much like MS software, but their hardware is first-rate. I can (and do) sit in front of my computer and write code for hours on end, with no problems. I even bring on with me on contract jobs.

I have a couple of extra, just in case this one croaks. I haven't noticed the natural keyboard in stores lately.

It's all about posture.

[Ryvar]

I was starting to get the tingling in the nerves of my right hand recently at 25 - and I've spent nearly every day, at least 12 hours, on the keyboard since highschool. Sometimes I'll go a few months, solid, in front of the screen 16/7. At first I thought it was just age and wear and tear on my wrists, but then I noticed something - the new high-back executive chair I bought sat lower, at its maximum height, than my previous chair.

So I bought a new chair that sat higher with higher armrests, and haven't had even a whisper of a problem since. I'm convinced the problem is largely one of ergonomics and posture.

--Ryvar

wrists-to-sore-to-make-sarcastic-quip dept

[Damek]

How can you be an editor of anything and still not know the difference between "to" and "too?"

I'm serious.

Re:Sorry, lots of typing != CTS

[Anonymous Coward]

All of the research around RSI and CTS indicates that it has a genetic predisposition component. Your argument basically boils down to "I don't have sickle cell anemia, what the hell is wrong with people who do?"

Here you go, get some edumacation:

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22carpal+tunnel+sy ndrome%22+genetic

In the meantime, people, do we really have to mod up the trash?

I couldn't type for 11 years

[SombreReptile]

I had RSI so bad for 11 years I could not type or use a mouse or do a hundred other daily tasks. After seeing many doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists and massage therapists (some of whom helped, most didn't) I was able to mostly cure myself within a year by following the advice in 2 books:

The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief by Clare Davies (this was 90% of the cure)

It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Sharon Butler

There was nothing wrong with my wrists; it was all in my neck and shoulders, but I felt the pain in my arms.

I am now back to programming full time, but still suffer setbacks when working longer than 40 hours a week.