Fighting my age
I’ve noticed lately that a curious aching has started to happen from both wrists down my forearms. Uh oh. It happens more toward the end of the day when I’m writing, :typing:and I have a suspicious feeling that it may be preliminary signs of carpal tunnel. :shocked: Not good. The last time I had carpal tunnel, I was pregnant with my son. It got so bad, I couldn’t even hold a pen and sign my name. Thankfully it went away a few months after I gave birth. I don’t want to go through that again, needless to say.
My hubby had a simple solution: “Just stop writing until it gets better.” :rotfl:
It’s rather like telling an engineer–”Just stop using the computer and do your work some other way.” Or telling a teacher, “Just stop talking for a while.” Er, while it probably would work, the idea of not writing is akin to horror. How else do I shut up the little voices in my head? :dance: There’s just no way.
But I’ve developed some bad posture habits, and they’re catching up with me. Has anybody found any ways to combat this problem? What are ways that I can reduce the discomfort and still write? :typing:
I’m too young for this, I swear. :slap:
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:41 am | Viewed 3003 times
Kelly Says:
If your desk or keyboard are adjustable, i would get someone in ergonomics to come in and set you up at the proper height and angles. It might be worth the cash in the long run if it avoids problems down the road. I had that done for me at work when we moved our offices and it made a big difference. Especially since I’m only 5′2″ (Uh…and a quarter) and most desks are made for people taller than that.
Melissa Says:
I have a split ergonomic keyboard. It saved my wrists. Once I switched to it, my carpal tunnel went away.
beth Says:
Michelle, I’ve dealt with this since I was 20 – perils of being in computer science, I think.
Anyway, the ergo suggestions are good – esp. the split keyboard. BUT – I also highly recommend wrist splints. You can get them at Wally World or sometimes in the pharmacy dept at the grocery store – check for ones that have a hard plastic or metal support for the underside of your wrist. You’ll want them to extend up to about the middle of your forearm (or just slightly less) and wrap around your hand just at the lower knuckles. The ones with velcro closures are nice because you can adjust them so they’re supportive but not too tight. If you can wear them while you type, that’ll be helpful cause forces good wrist posture, but if not, try wearing them at night and when you hurt. You won’t need them all the time, but I’ve found the extra support really clears up the achies.
Tori Lennox Says:
*hugs* I totally sympathize. Lots of good suggestions from the others.
Amy K. Says:
I seem to get the problem off and on, and it seems like stress contributes. (But that might be because the stress is usually the pressure of whipping out a rewrite or some revisions. That’s when it’s worse for me.) I haven’t found a way to help it much, unfortunately. I just feel lucky it goes away.
April Says:
I had carpal tunnel problems because of the way I used to sleep. I got some wrist splints from the medical supply store at the doctor’s suggestion. If I’ll wear them on and off for a few days, I find the pain really diminishes! Good luck!
Le Ellis Says:
I second all the recommendations especially the wrist brace. I’ve had surgery for carpal tunnel. And occasionally I’ve had problems again. When I do, I put on a brace for about a week and it makes an amazing difference. But sometimes it takes the full week to feel the effects.
Stacy Says:
My wrists have only recently started to get a little ache lately…now I know what to do when I really need help.
Crystal* Says:
Oh geez! I’m so sorry.
Not write? :hissyfit: Yeah, right. I’ll just give up breathing while I’m at it.
HUGS! I wish I had some stellar advice, but I don’t. Maybe some braces?
Grins*
Olga Says:
Big hugs, and I’ve seen great suggestions in comments. I hope they will help and your wrists will feel better. Because how can we give writing?
Olga Says:
I meant “give up”. Didn’t have my morning cup of coffee yet.
Jamie Says:
Michelle, in my work as a word processor and legal secretary, I’ve been typing everyday since I graduated from high school in 1972. I have never had any problems with my wrists, and I truly believe that good posture and holdng my wrists the correct way has kept me from developing any problems. I can still remember my high school typing teacher saying “shoulders back, feet on the floor (no cross ankles)” and the proper way to hold our fingers on the keys. Like the others have suggested, try a different key board and an adjustable keyboard tray works wonders (for height), too. Bottomline, I hope that your wrists feel better and soon! Oh by the way, some good vibes coming your way that you’ll hear something soon from Richmond! Jamie
Melissa Mc Says:
Hugs, Michelle! I’ve heard if you wear wrist splints at night when you sleep it will help. Also time your writing sessions. Set a timer for 20 minutes. When it dings, take a break from the keyboard.
LauraP Says:
Wrist braces, posture check, split keyboard or go a step further and get a really good ergo keyboard. Stretching exercises every 20 minutes. And yep, a good ergo consultant is worth the money. Most of all, be proactive and deal with this now instead of waiting until you can barely move your hands and are typing with ice bags tied onto both wrists…in other words, be smarter than I was.