Think You've Got Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
If you spend a good deal of time at the computer (and you're anything like me), then you probably think that carpal tunnel is just something you've got to live with. I know I did...
Until recently, when I woke up in the middle of the night begging my husband (at 3AM!) to help me decide whether ice packs or heat packs would be best for easing the incredible pain I was having in the middle of my right wrist/palm area. It just wouldn't go away and kept alternating between a sharp pain and a throbbing ache.
I made it through the night, then after much research, I found a number of things that I could do to make my work station (at home and at work) more ergonomic, relieving the symptoms of carpal tunnel and RSI.
Here's a Warning: I found it printed somewhere that it's not uncommon for people to have to leave computer-dependent careers as a result, or even to be disabled and unable to perform tasks such as driving or dressing themselves. This can become a serious issue if you don't take steps to lessen the discomfort EARLY!
Carpal Tunnel: Do You Have It?
If you have weakness in your hand or wrist, and your hand or wrist becomes easily fatigued after a certain amount of time at the computer, then you may be experiencing early signs of RSI (the underlying problem behind carpal tunnel syndrome).
Rather than a "diagnosis" per se, RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) is an umbrella term used to describe a particular form of injury -- such as one caused by overuse of the nerves, muscles and tendons; the ailments include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and trigger finger, to name a few. The most affected areas are: the neck, shoulders, upper back, upper arm, elbows, forearms, wrists, thumbs and fingers.
It is believed that roughly 3-5% of the general U.S. population suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome -- a medical problem of the hands where the large nerve that travels under the palm (the medial nerve) is routinely pinched, resulting in pain and fatigue.
Here's a list of the most common conditions associated with excessive computer use, and their treatments.
Symptoms Associated With RSI And Carpal Tunnel
- Tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, or arms
- Stiffness, clumsiness, or difficulty opening and closing hands, carrying things, or holding things
- Avoidance of activities that were once enjoyable, including a reluctance to shake hands
- Waking up with wrist pain in the middle of the night, or routinely experiencing pain and soreness during the day
The symptoms may worsen when you are doing forceful or repetitive work with your hands, like driving, gardening, cleaning, or using a computer.
If you also feel pain whenever you are reaching overhead, then chances are, you've got something other than carpal tunnel syndrome.
What To Watch For
Repetition of hand use is the primary factor causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Using a mouse causes overuse of the dominant hand, as well as improper placement of your hand, wrist and arm. Keep in mind, the click is only one part of mouse use. You still have to drag, circle, and point the mouse, all of which can lead to overusing the dominant hand.
Here are some helpful books for understand RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome.
NOTE: This is Part One of a 2-part article about RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Part Two includes what you can do to lessen the pain and make your workstation more ergonomic.
I have read many very good suggestions about ways to reduce the strain caused by typing. Ergonomic and medically oriented solutions are fine and too often necessary. However they don't get to the root of the problem. The root problem being that the volume of information being typed is increasing dramatically yet no effective solution to addressing this issue has yet come forth.
I think, however, that an innovative approach is needed to deal with these issues.
I would offer that the only way to strike at the heart of the problem is to greatly reduce the number of keystokes required to produce any level of output. More bang for each keypress.
We all are familiar with abbreviations such as 'tv' for 'television', 'ea' for 'each', or 'USA' for 'United States of America'. Suppose it were possible to utilize technology to take these (and far more) keyed in abbreviations and convert them to their corresponding expanded text. In the process you will have greatly reduced the number of keystrokes required to produce a far greater level of output. Then, regardless of your current typing speed or dexterity your productivity would be increased commensurately. (200 keypresses might output 450 letters of text for sake of argument) Not to mention the fact that the number of typing (spelling) errors made and requiring correction would be reduced in kind.
This type of software solution will facilitate both the reduction of the incidence and effect of typing related repetitive motion injuries and the return to a competitive level of productivity with far less effort for those already suffering the effects of Carpal Tunnel.
Stay tuned for JAKE (Joined Abbreviation Keyboard Entries)
Thanks! I already go to a Chiropractor for my neck & shoulder strain from all the computer use, but he's never mentioned Cold Laser Treatment for Carpal Tunnel.
My guess is I'd need to look outside of my quaint little town to find some of the newer treatments.
I'm currently trying all of the "home remedy" options first -- hoping to lessen the problem before it gets out of hand.
You know... using a gel-pad built onto the mousepad. And a wristpad that rests below the entire keyboard. And I'm trying to learn some keyboard shortcuts to use instead of the mouse -- those I will be posting here soon.
If anyone is a candidate for a serious case of carpal tunnel -- it's me! Hopefully these precautionary steps will stop it before it gets out of control.
Just a note that there is a great new treatment for Carpal Tunnel. Cold Laser Treatment. I go to a Chiropractor for this. It doesn't hurt, and looks like a flashlight that is placed on different points of your arm, wrist, and hand. It takes about three months to repair nerve damage. But not that long to feel results. I LOVE it. Easier than surgey, and better than suffering daily. I know you can research it on the web.
Thought you'd like to know.
Cousin Kris