peter@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Peter Wu) (12/31/90)
Hi. Is there any good solutions to preventing the "tunnel carping" (forgot the real name) syndrome? I'm typing in my dorm room and my wrists rest upon the edge of the table that my computer is on. My wrists are really starting to hurt. The desk is rather high compared to the height of my chair and the computer takes up room in front of the keyboard so that I can't move the keyboard back for more flat space to rest my wrists on. Any information would be appreciated. Email me directly or post here. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pedro Quien? peter@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu Peter K. Wu
jwi@cbnewsj.att.com (Jim Winer @ AT&T, Middletown, NJ) (01/01/91)
In article <1990Dec31.015926.1180@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>, peter@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Peter Wu) writes: > Hi. > > Is there any good solutions to preventing the "tunnel carping" (forgot > the real name) syndrome? It's carpal tunnel for the carpal and metacarpal bones in the hand. > I'm typing in my dorm room and my wrists rest upon the edge of the > table that my computer is on. My wrists are really starting to hurt. > The desk is rather high compared to the height of my chair and the > computer takes up room in front of the keyboard so that I can't move > the keyboard back for more flat space to rest my wrists on. CompuAdd is listing several very inexpensive (~$20.00) keyboard drawers that mount under the desk. You need two things: a keyboard height of about 25 to 27 inches rather than the desk height of 29 to 30 inches, and a wrist rest which is a bar about 1-1/2 inch wide at the fron of the keyboard drawer and about one inch high. The keyboard drawer will pull out from the bottom surface of the desk giving you more space. There is also a mouse platform that can be attached. If you can, go look in one of the CompuAdd stores as there are several models of drawers listed. Sorry I don't have the phone, but they advertise in most PC magazines. No connection, etc., just browsing catalogs and noticed low price. Jim Winer -- jwi@mtfme.att.com -- Opinions not represent employer. ------------------------------------------------------------------ "No, no: the purpose of language is to cast spells on other people ..." Lisa S Chabot
jcburt@ipsun.larc.nasa.gov (John Burton) (01/01/91)
In article <1990Dec31.015926.1180@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> peter@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Peter Wu) writes: >Hi. > >Is there any good solutions to preventing the "tunnel carping" (forgot >the real name) syndrome? > >I'm typing in my dorm room and my wrists rest upon the edge of the >table that my computer is on. My wrists are really starting to hurt. >The desk is rather high compared to the height of my chair and the >computer takes up room in front of the keyboard so that I can't move >the keyboard back for more flat space to rest my wrists on. > >Any information would be appreciated. Email me directly or post here. > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Pedro Quien? peter@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu Peter K. Wu I *think* the name is "carpal tunnel syndrome", so named because the tendons that move the bones of the hands (carpals) go through what is essentially a tunnel to get from the forearm to the hand... couple of suggestions... first, see a sports oriented orthopidic md. (perhaps student health) for suggestions and possibly anti-inflammatory drugs (asprin and ibuprofen are good if the pain is not too bad) as far as typing goes, you really need to change the geometry of the keyboard/computer/chair/hands arrangement to give your wrists more support and to straighten them out - most people when typing on a computer keyboard tend to rest their wrist on the edge of the table, below the keyboard, and then bend the hands up so that the fingers can come down on the keys. This bending at the wrist can lead to the problem you're having. Try raising your entire body so that your elbows at rest are slightly above the level of your keyboard (put your chair on a box or something) or by the same token, lower your computer/keyboard so that you get the same relative position between elbows and keyboard. Put your keyboard on a board - i.e. extend your desk toward you so that you have a place to rest your wrists. place a thick pad on the extension where your wrists would rest. This is to elevate your wrist above the keyboard so that your hands are pretty much inline with your forearms, so you don't continually have your wrists bent while typing... John Burton (jcburt@cs.wm.edu)
fks@vaxeline.COM (Frances Selkirk) (01/01/91)
I won't bother going into what a bad set up you have, as you seem aware of that. You can compensate, to some degree, by using a wrist pad. These devices, available at many office supply stores, are sheets of metal with a ~1.5 inch pad along one side. Your keyboard rests on the sheet of metal, and the pad elevates your wrists. I got one at work, and liked it so much I bought one for home, too! They really help. Now, if only someone would come out with a V-shaped keyboard... -- Frances Kirk Selkirk info@ftp.com (617) 246-0900 FTP Software, Inc. 26 Princess Street, Wakefield, MA 01880
enteles@tahoe.unr.edu (Philip Enteles) (01/01/91)
......the following is a synopsis of some therapy on tunnel carpal syndrome.... Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a number of different things and is basically a swelling in the wrist constricting the tunnel that the carpal nerve passes through. This causes pain and numbness in the hand and in particular the thumb and first fingers but may involve all the fingers. Some of the causes are improper position of the hands while doing repeatative motion, simply doing repeatative motion, and unacustom motion of the fingers and hands. Some of the jobs that lead to CTS are: typing with the hands in an incorrect position factory line assembly data entry dealing, as in blackjack incorrect use of tools, like a framing hammer. An almost sure sign of CTS is waking in the morning with a numb hand and/or part of your hand. The normal course is to consult your doctor who will tell you to stop what you are doing or have surgery, and then stop what you are doing. Because many people can not stop their job a number of doctors and therapists have developed a group of stretching and toning excesizes for the wrist. These involve bending the wrist and holding it for a short duration in various ways. However the most important thing is to be sure you are preforming your job in the correct fashion. Hold and use your tools correctly take short breaks while performing repeatative work and if you have incorrect equipment for the job get the right tools. How do I know all this stuff? I am a pit boss for a major casino in Reno and we have a large number of people who have CTS and who have had the surgery for it. IMPORTANT: I am NOT a doctor. This information is for your information and should not be considered medical treatment or any thing else for that matter Take your problems to a doctor for a medical opinion. I have additional printed material on CTS and will provide it to any one who would like it. Send $10 for reproduction fees and mailing to: CTS Box 11795 Reno Nv. 89510 Be sure to include your address. This is NOT a solicitation and has nothing to do with the medical profession. Philip Enteles enteles@tahoe.unr.edu
gruen@macs.UUCP (gruen) (01/04/91)
In article <1990Dec31.040239.22509@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu>, rschmidt@copper.ucs.indiana.edu (roy schmidt) writes: > In article <1990Dec31.015926.1180@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> peter@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Peter Wu) writes: > >Hi. > >Is there any good solutions to preventing the "tunnel carping" (forgot > >the real name) syndrome? > [Ideas on preventing deleted] > > Third, if you do have pain in your wrists, and especially if the pain > persists after typing, or if you find moving your fingers to be > uncomfortable, see a doctor immediately. If you ignore the warning > signs, the condition can become very serious. > Even better, if you believe it really is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, visit your local chiropractor. He/She should be able to take care of the problem without surgery or medication. I'm not a MD or a DC (doctor of Chiropractic), but my dad _is_ a DC. --Vicky Gruen /-------------------------------------------------------------------\ |The best medicine is none at all...A CS major w/nothing better to do| |May your programs work right the first try.....;-> | \-------------------------------------------------------------------/