repetitive strain injury

1. 84

   jimmythejockposted 16 years ago

   Hi Guys and Gals,
   Well all of that hubbing has finally caught up with me lol, wrist strapped up tightly and pain killers at the ready, yup R.S.I has got the better of me.
   Any tips on how to combat it and get back to my favorite passtime hubbing would be very much appreciated, thanks in advance.....jimmy

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   1. 84

      embitcaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Ugh, that really sucks.
      
      When I was having problems with it a few years ago, my workplace sent me for physical therapy. If you have insurance that would cover it, that is probably your best option.
      
      They alternated between warm paraffin wax and icing. After removing the paraffin wax, they'd have me do a series of hand exercises that stretch the muscles, then we iced it all down. I'm sure you can find some hand exercises online. And since you probably don't have a paraffin bath at home, I'd recommend some warm towels, do the exercises and then ice it down.  I also wore a wrist wrap for several weeks that prevented me from doing the repetitive motions that caused the strain in the first place and for a little while I took very large doses of Motrin (800mg at a time).
      
      Good luck and get better soon!

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2. 84

   jimmythejockposted 16 years ago

   Thanks Embitica, I will try the hot and cold method sounds quite logical when you think about it lol, I was given a list of  hand exercises to do from my G.P. but they are hurting me lol, they say no pain = no gain, if this pain is anything to go by then I must be gaining heaps of benefit from it lol. thanks again Embitica take care.....jimmy

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3. 72

   relacheposted 16 years ago

   All the physical therapy and treatment strategies in the world will only do so much.  In the end, the only way you'll truly get relief is to change how much time you spend on the computer per day and the ergonomics that go with it.
   
   A few years back, it wasn't just my wrists that were a mess, I was having a cascade of bodily aches and issues that were all connected to my computer use.  I changed my desk and chair as well as my mouse on the hardware end, and I added physical activity to my life away from the keyboard that brought back a fuller range of use and motion to my arms.  And as soon as something feels off or uncomfortable, I stop what I'm doing online and go take a break for a few hours. (not minutes)
   
   That's what really stopped the aching, tingling and flare-ups of discomfort.  All the soaking, braces and painkillers were just masking the symptoms or providing really short-term fixes.  I got more relief from treating the problem and not just the side effects.

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   1. 84

      embitcaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Quite right. Actually, this just reminded me that when it happened to me, in addition to all the other stuff that work had me do, they also sent in an ergonomics person to adjust my workstation, buy me new equipment and show me the correct posture I should be in.

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4. 78

   robie2posted 16 years ago

   Yeah Relache is right--stay off the puter and change the ergonomics. I also found massage and acupuncture helpful. Hope you feel better soon,Jimmy

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5. 58

   Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

   Jimmy - That sux.
   
   RICE
   
   R est
   
   I ce
   
   C ompression
   
   E levation
   
   Works every time.

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6. 69

   Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years ago

   At a recent Hapkido class, they were talking about how they rarely have problems like this or arthritis because they have so much strength in their wrists and hands.  It made me want to take more classes!

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7. 84

   Zsuzsy Beeposted 16 years ago

   Jimmy! I don't want to be self promotional but try my massage oil on the hub 'Hands On'. I found I was able to get my hand exercises done with a little less pain a couple of years ago.
   My schedule was oil first, excersise, cool down in ice water for a couple of minutes.Then do it all again 4-5 times a day.(Elevate with a pillow while sleeping)
   Hope you try it. Let me know how it goes. regards Zsuzsy

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8. 73

   Inspirepubposted 16 years ago

   Hey, Jimmy, really sorry to hear it.
   
   I had something like that a while back, and a doctor found out my zinc levels were very low. One month on zinc supplements and there was a noticeable difference, six months and the aches were gone.
   
   Zinc is required by the immune system, and it is the immune system going awry which causes the swelling.
   
   But also do what Relache said, and make sure your setup is ergonomic!
   
   Jenny

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9. 85

   Marisa Wrightposted 16 years ago

   Jimmy, I wrote a Hub about why this happens. If it's your mousing hand, it's most probably mousing that's the culprit, not the keyboard.
   
   I recommend you go and see a physiotherapist if you can.  When I had a pain in my wrist, the physio worked out that my biggest problem was in my arm.  Instead of strapping my wrist, she strapped just above and around my elbow.  Oh, the relief!!  GP's have to be jack of all trades, they don't understand this as well as physios do. 
   
   f the exercises are really hurting, there may still be too much inflammation to do a lot of exercise yet anyway.  Lots of ice, anti-inflammatories and NO mousing!

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10. 58

    Sibaireposted 16 years ago

    Maybe you shouldn't be on the computer at all Jimmy . kind of ironical that you are posting on a computer about a computer related injury you still have. Give it some rest and do the exercises. The exercises may hurt, but they will get easier. I would rather an exercise to hurt rather then to feel nothing, at least when it hurts I know that it is actually doing something .

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11. 67

    Bonnie Ramseyposted 16 years ago

    I found something called Colostrum, which is a natural supplment that greatly reduces inflamation has worked miracles for me. I was pretty much disabled from herniated discs in my neck which had so much inflamation that I had a baseball size knot on the back of my neck. I couldn't sit comfortably, lay comfortably and forget standing. I suffered for many years until I started taking it. I saw some relief the very first day, then by the second day was totally pain free. That was almost 2 years ago and have been pain free ever since.
    
    I have literally gotten my life back, including use of my hands and fingers that were severaly effected by artheritis. I can even play on the trampoline with the grandkids again!
    
    No, I don't sell it but probably should as I am a walking testimony of its effects. I do, however tell people about it that has any type of joint or muscle pain since most of the time, the pain and stiffness is due to inflamation.
    
    All it is, is pure bovine colostrum in powder form, which is taken from the cow shortly before or shortly after the birth of a calf. This preserves the purity of the colostrum before it loses its strength. It is a very effective, powerful anti-inflammatory. It is all natural and therefore not a threat to people taking other medications. The only threat to anyone may be if they are lactose intolerant since it is a pure form of colostrum (looks exactly like powdered milk in a clear capsule). Great stuff that I will never be without!
    
    Hope you feel better soon, Jimmy! I spent so many years in terrible pain that I feel for anyone who is in pain, even for a short time!
    
    Bonnie

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12. 73

    Inspirepubposted 16 years ago

    I have just realised that I have serious ergonomic challenge reaching my arms around each end of my cat to reach the keyboard ... any OHS consultants in the audience with suggestions?

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13. 77

    Lissieposted 16 years ago

    Get a dog ?

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14. 73

    Inspirepubposted 16 years ago

    LOL
    
    I fed her. It's cheaper.

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15. 58

    Sibaireposted 16 years ago

    haha, good idea. But you can't play ball with a cat.

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