June 20th, 2006
Needles and Pins
The light blogging around these parts is due largely to a debilitating bout of RSI type stuff in my arm. Depending on its mood, it moves from my knuckles to my wrist to my tendons to the muscle in my forearm. Even 10 minutes of typing sets it off again so I’ve had to pass up a chunk of work as my left-handed index finger typing is not exactly the stuff of productivity dreams. I’d like to point people in the direction of the supremely competent Martina Madden, who runs Shen Acupuncture. She treats all kinds of ailments and conditions, from muscle and joint problems to stress, allergies and pain, and has been working wonders on my arm. The website is a work in progress but if anyone would like to get in touch with her, let me know and I’ll pass on her details.
June 20th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Get a head stick, Sinead.
June 20th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
ooo, what’s a head’s stick? Will it make my arm better?
June 20th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
It’s what people with no arms use to type.
June 20th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
You genius. That´s exactly what I need.
My brother researched audio software Espeak (you speak, it types) and the other half spent ages trying to install it yesterday. The tutorial takes a bloody age, so I´m typing a very slow review with one hand at the mo.
Espeak is the total opposite of that audio sayit programme, where you type, it talks and the temptation to just say rude words or Dublinisms in an attempt to make it blow up are overwhelming.
June 20th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
I feel your pain. Literally. I’ve been suffering from it to various levels since I was 15. 10 years! Ach! Even though I use a computer a lot, it was poor posture and bad habits I had when writing that did the damage.
I’ve spent the last year or so trying to let my body heal my own RSI. One thing I’ve found useful is running a wee program called PrevRSI, which forces you to take breaks every so often and do something else. I used to use WorkRave, but found it a little to busy for my taste. Of course, you might use a Mac, in which case I’ve heard this is rather good.
June 20th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
Oh, almost forgot. You could also try switching to an ergonomic keyboard and/or use one with a Dvorak key layout. It’ll take some getting used to, but they’re worth it. The Dvorak layout means you’ll be able to type faster with less effort, and it’s your only option if you use a laptop.
June 20th, 2006 at 11:31 pm
Sinéad, if you follow 20 Major’s advice, you’ll end up with headstick RSI ;?)
Seriously, my sympathies. It hit me last October and I’m living with it, though it’s complicated in my case by permanent use of crutches.
It’s not nearly as bad as it was, due to acupuncture and physio at MELT in Temple Bar. I’m afraid I haven’t altogether been following my physio’s recommendations, but if you have will power, you might try these exercises on a regular basis:
1) lie on a bed and let your head hang over the end of it. (make yourself secure, of course). This stretches the spinal column, releasing pressure on the nerves which go to your arms and hands, among other places.
2) Sit on a firm chair with your back straight. Place your hands on your hips and take a deep breath. Hold it, and move your head and shoulders to the left. Hold your breath as long as you can. Repeat, but to the right. Do it at least three times each side.
Once again this releases pressure on the nerves in your back.
Most of my worst symptoms are gone and I just have a numb little finger, and if I was assiduous about the exercises I’m sure even that would be okay. I haven’t had time for acupuncture or physio since Christmas but it helped a lot at the time.
June 21st, 2006 at 4:03 pm
try this …http://www.yogaforthedeskjockey.com/home.htm
June 28th, 2006 at 9:41 am
Acupuncture!!!!????!!!!
You’ve made me cry…
http://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/2005/05/acupuncture_it_.html
June 28th, 2006 at 9:47 am
As someone who has put in a lot of time on the hospital circuit, I have no truck with placebos. Nothing worked last week (even cartloads of Nurofen) but the acupuncture really did.
One man’s meat is another man’s poison, etc, etc