Just like most any affiliate marketer, I spend long days pounding on my keyboard. Often times, I’ll go many hours without grazing away from my desk.
In the last few weeks, I started getting an increased tingling and that pins and needles feeling in my hands.
I’ve long had a concern that I’d get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and jeopardize my ability to work at the same level, and after searching around a bunch of medical sites, it sounded like I was getting it.
So, I finally went to the doctor to get checked out yesterday, and she confirmed that I was in the early stages of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Fortunately, I might be able to remedy it by wearing wrist splints when I sleep for a few weeks or so. If you were wondering, yes, the splints are uncomfortable to wear while sleeping.
On the night before I went to the doctor, I whipped myself into a frenzy – wondering if I was going to soon have some broken down hands that would prevent me from working on the computer.
So, I installed a copy of Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software that I bought randomly a few months ago.
I figured in the worst case scenario, I could use this software to write blogs, articles, emails, etc.
I was surprised at how well it worked, even for a mumbler like me. But I don’t know about their claim that it is “More than 3 times faster than typing.”
That could be true if it is error free, but I think I recover faster from typos by hand than voice commands.
There is also an option to transcribe audio with the software. The results there were a mess, but it would beat transcribing by ear, so I might start doing that and manually cleaning it up.
Anyhow, just a word of caution that you should definitely get yourself checked out if you are having aches and pains in your hands.
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Your Message@5starAffiliatePrograms: Hello I was just reading through some of the posts and found this one and I can relate but my problem is my shoulder . After hors of clicking and typing I am feeling the Pain !!
Dean
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease of the hand characterized by numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness. The disease typically affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers. At first, anti-inflammatory drugs and splints can help. More advanced cases may require surgery. Surgery is done if symptoms persist despite other treatments, or if symptoms are severe and the nerve is in danger of permanent damage. Visit the website below for more information click here, read more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Thanks!
Thanks Adrian -
A few weeks with the splints have greatly improved things for me and I hit the gym 3-4 work days each week.
Sorry if I wasn't clear – my doctor didn't think I'd need an operation, and she said to contact her if the pain wasn't subsiding after a few weeks with splints.
I've also changed my work environment to have a higher monitor, ergo keyboard and mouse, etc.
Some of these posts aren't too accurate and its a bit of a concern.
I've been dealing with this as a very serious problem since 1998, and its stopped me from working for weeks at a time due to the pain. I have to manage it constantly.
Firstly, you probably don't have carpal tunnel. You more likely have a repetitive strain injury. My father is an orthopedic surgeon and he makes this point very forcefully. You probably don't need to be operated on. Understand it as a “repeated” strain injury, not some syndrome which can't be cured.
First, get your keyboard and desk set up right and at the right height.
The #1 thing that makes the difference for me? Going to the gym and lifting weights. If you do that regularly (when you're not inflamed and in pain) will keep RSI at bay. I start to notice now if I don't go to the gym for a week or two that my RSI is coming back. Strength in your muscles is what will prevent it.
This book is excellent:
http://www.amazon.com/Carpal-Syndrome-Therapy-C…
And so is this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Conquering-Carpal-Tunnel-…
Splits can help, and I have some devices which I use to massage my arms when they are bad. But the #1 solution above all is going to the gym regularly and doing weights. Feel free to drop me a line privately if you want to talk further.
Adrian
Thanks for the advice – I've done pretty much everything but get the monitor at eye level. TIme to buy a stand for the monitor.
Maybe we need a physical therapy session at Affiliate Summit.
Hey Shawn. I can hear when you hammer away at the keyboard through cyberspace it's so loud. I'm actually a physical therapist turned affiliate marketer. However I still do practice PT. We see a lot of patients in the clinic for this. My best advice is to invest in an ergonomically correct workstation or create one where your elbows, knees, and hips are at 90 degrees. Foot planted on the floor or on a stool. Laptop screen and monitors always at eye level to keep your cervical spine in neutral alignment. Make sure your the base of your wrist is on a mouse pad. If you look to the medial corner or left base corner of your wrist their might be a pressure sore there. Everyone I know who spends more than 8 hours on the computer a day has this. That can be cured with mouse pads. If that position I mentioned above is not the most comfortable for you to work, there are some kneeling chairs, zero-gravity chairs with ergonomic work desks, and other equipment you can research.
The main thing is to get out of bad postures while sitting at the computer for long durations. Exercise and stretching frequently is sooooo important because that will break up the repetitive stress forming in the wrists. So have fun, take multiple breaks, and play with the kids.
Thanks Shane – I might install it (though I don't have the gadgets running).
Microsoft already governs all aspects of my schedule, so I might as well include this essential stuff.
Hi Shawn,
Best wishes for a speedy reccovery.
I have been a computer professional for most of my life. Stretching my arms, shoulders, neck, and wrists have literally saved my career.
I developed “StretchClock” to help prevent the painful problem for others.
People are saying great things after using it for a short while. You may be surprised at the benefits you feel with a quick break every hour or so.
Please remember to stretch EVERY hour when you are at the keyboard. OR try out http://www.stretchclock.com , download the vista gadget at Windows Live : http://gallery.live.com/LiveItemDetail.aspx?li=…
Hi Shawn,
NO, a big no to icing every few hours. Ice when DONE keyboarding, typically end of day for 10 to 15 mins, 20 max — from what I understand. We don't want to ice and then type, the muscles and tendons will be cold and will strain more. Of course, frequent breaks during and gentle stretching often to counter strain. Use heat prior to exersizing to warm up and cold at end of workouts when rest is assured if rehabbing. To start rehab, I had to seriously rest my arms, cut back on typing, no swimming. (I am an avid swimmer.) My therapists had me do gradual hand and arm strength training once the inflammation calmed. I got a good response after four weeks and watch it as it's chronic. And it sucks. And we're all subject to it! Think of the toll our children will be subject to who're starting keyboarding and that posture so early! My chiropracter, w/ tongue in cheek, says thank you as it ensures his future. That and trampolines! Good luck!
Thanks Carol -
Do you ice down your hands daily, ever few hours?
Hi Shawn!
Good topic as carpel tunnel and it's precursor, repetitive stress syndrome, is today's “occupational hazard,” very common and growing rapidly among those of us who mouse and keyboard for our livings. A suggestion is that ice should become your new best friend! I've been through rehab 2Xs for my hands and arms. THE BEST thing I've learned is that ice is now my new best friend. It will reduce that nasty inflammation like nothing else, and that's key. Good luck! See you in Beantown!
Carol Bousquet
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