So I've suffered with RSI for awhile now and it's not got any better even though I've spent a lot of money trying to fix it "at home", I now use a Power Ball regularly, squeeze a stress ball, use Voltarol cream, use an ice pack and I take a fist full of painkillers whenever I can yet it won't budge. I just got off the phone with an Osteopath who I need to go and see at £40/hour (oh joy).
RSI is a pretty common problem with people who use the computer a lot, especially those who spend a lot of time clicking (thanks Diablo) so I'm sure there's a few wounded gamers amongst us.
The pain I get is in my wrist, palm, forearm and across my fingers.
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The question isn't why do I kill. The question is, why I don't kill everybody.
So I've suffered with RSI for awhile now and it's not got any better even though I've spent a lot of money trying to fix it "at home", I now use a Power Ball regularly, squeeze a stress ball, use Voltarol cream, use an ice pack and I take a fist full of painkillers whenever I can yet it won't budge. I just got off the phone with an Osteopath who I need to go and see at £40/hour (oh joy).
RSI is a pretty common problem with people who use the computer a lot, especially those who spend a lot of time clicking (thanks Diablo) so I'm sure there's a few wounded gamers amongst us.
The pain I get is in my wrist, palm, forearm and across my fingers.
You seem to have overlooked the mechanism of injury when planning the treatment. In the case of RSI, it's repetition with poor ergonomics.
So using a power/stress ball will be counterproductive before healing has occurred(due to repetitive nature of said task).
Pain management should be your priority- pain killers/ice along with gentle stretching to keep muscle length and flexibility.
It will also be very helpful to examine how you are using your mouse hand. Ideally, your wrist should be neutral, so it could be advantageous to find some support for your forearm so that your wrist is not extended (like it usually does for most people using a mouse).
After pain has subsided to a good degree only do you start strengthening exercises.
Occupational therapist > osteopath for RSI, as far as I know.
I'm no occupational therapist myself but we all get to follow a module on occupational health problems here at uni in first year. You should also be on the lookout for any signs of numbness, pins and needles or loss of sensation in your fingers and hand(it could be indicative of other problems).
Hope that helps.
Oh and to answer the question- no I've never suffered any RSI. Guess my masturbation technique was excellent coz I don't use the computer all that much.
I think the main problem is the sheer amount of time I spend at the PC, but another major issue is my workstation, it's just all wrong. The desk has shelves where the monitor should go, so I have to crank my neck to look at it, plus it's too low. I also use the keyboard and mouse at and angle which doesn't help. When I look at myself I can see all the mistakes but it's how I've always done it so it's "normal" to me, but I guess most people would think it's weird and painful looking. I just ordered a nice, new leather chair which will help support my neck and back, maybe my next purchase should be a decent desk that will allow me to set it up properly.
I've limited my PC usage as much as possible, with only a little bit of mindless posting here and there, I've completely cut out both PC and console gaming.
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The question isn't why do I kill. The question is, why I don't kill everybody.
I had some problems many years ago with it when I would type at length. This was a combined issue of my bad desk setup and my lack of experience with a computer keyboard (I smashed the keys like my old typewriter required). My solution was to get a more ergonomic layout. I changed my keyboard, mouse, chair, desk, and retrained myself to operate in the most comfortable position for my wrist. I've been problem-free for many years now, but never got to the point of using heavy meds or physical therapy. Of course, if you need treatment or medical advice, go get it.
Hope I can help you out here as I've covered RSI during a University computing course and there are some simple things you can do to both prevent it happening in the first place and to ease the injury once its there.
Its all about how you sit really. You want to have your monitor at roughly arms length away from you as you sit in your chair so that you're not encouraged to lean forward (if you find you lean forward, adjust until you no longer do). The monitor height should be such that your eye line is between 60% and 70% of the way up the screen as this will keep your head at a steady and restful angle.
You should be sitting with your back straight and your arms and wrists should be naturally horizontal on the desk top. So get a chair with arms and adjust so that your elbows are are level with the desk top, this will encourage you to have your forearms flat.
The purpose of all this is to place your joints into their natural "at rest" positions and also to minimise overall movement while typing and using the mouse. A higher mouse sensitivity can also help since a smaller movement with your hand will produce a bigger movement from the cursor. Additionally, try to get used to making big movements of the mouse from your elbow rather than your wrist as this will take all the strain away from the more commonly injured joint.
I hope you found this useful and informative I would never set up a desk without these considerations!
You'd cry if you saw my setup now, it's just terrible and honestly I've known it for awhile but it took getting hurt to actually do something about it.
I actually have a photo from when I painted my room, you can see how everything is tilted at an angle instead of being straight, my neck and back is constantly twisted to face the monitor.
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The question isn't why do I kill. The question is, why I don't kill everybody.
I like how my simple "No" answer was deleted, like I'm obliged to present concrete proof to demonstrate that I don't suffer from RSI. What a grand concept.
You'd cry if you saw my setup now, it's just terrible and honestly I've known it for awhile but it took getting hurt to actually do something about it.
I actually have a photo from when I painted my room, you can see how everything is tilted at an angle instead of being straight, my neck and back is constantly twisted to face the monitor.
You have to take that mini shelf thing off or at least move it to the right hand side of your desk and put your screen there, so you're facing the screen head on with the keyboard right in front of you.
PS: Is that a 1TB Seagate Free Agent external? If it is, I have the same one...just sayin
I thought you all were talking about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome until I saw all the RSI references. Repetitive Strain (or Stress) Injury is similar enough I guess.
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Just as the Scorpion hunts...
Silently Lurking...
"Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted." ~ Ezio Auditore de Firenze
PS: Is that a 1TB Seagate Free Agent external? If it is, I have the same one...just sayin
Nah, it's my "BeBox" which is basically my router.
Right I just got my new chair and I took away the shelves and rearranged my desk, now the monitor is in front of me. It's going to take some serious getting used to, it feels so strange.
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The question isn't why do I kill. The question is, why I don't kill everybody.
PS: Is that a 1TB Seagate Free Agent external? If it is, I have the same one...just sayin
Nah, it's my "BeBox" which is basically my router.
My bad it looked like the backside of mine...
Right I just got my new chair and I took away the shelves and rearranged my desk, now the monitor is in front of me. It's going to take some serious getting used to, it feels so strange.
You won't be disappointed dude, now you'll stop walking like a crab. I'm not even sure, did you complain about your back ect. HAHA. I hope that the change will work better for your RSI.
RSI is a pretty common problem with people who use the computer a lot, especially those who spend a lot of time clicking (thanks Diablo) so I'm sure there's a few wounded gamers amongst us.
The pain I get is in my wrist, palm, forearm and across my fingers.
Thanks for the info, and hey.. Get better you hear?
:: Enkeria [Twitter / Twitch / Website / Tattoos]
You seem to have overlooked the mechanism of injury when planning the treatment. In the case of RSI, it's repetition with poor ergonomics.
So using a power/stress ball will be counterproductive before healing has occurred(due to repetitive nature of said task).
Pain management should be your priority- pain killers/ice along with gentle stretching to keep muscle length and flexibility.
It will also be very helpful to examine how you are using your mouse hand. Ideally, your wrist should be neutral, so it could be advantageous to find some support for your forearm so that your wrist is not extended (like it usually does for most people using a mouse).
After pain has subsided to a good degree only do you start strengthening exercises.
Occupational therapist > osteopath for RSI, as far as I know.
I'm no occupational therapist myself but we all get to follow a module on occupational health problems here at uni in first year. You should also be on the lookout for any signs of numbness, pins and needles or loss of sensation in your fingers and hand(it could be indicative of other problems).
Hope that helps.
Oh and to answer the question- no I've never suffered any RSI. Guess my masturbation technique was excellent coz I don't use the computer all that much.
I've limited my PC usage as much as possible, with only a little bit of mindless posting here and there, I've completely cut out both PC and console gaming.
You'd cry if you saw my setup now, it's just terrible and honestly I've known it for awhile but it took getting hurt to actually do something about it.
I actually have a photo from when I painted my room, you can see how everything is tilted at an angle instead of being straight, my neck and back is constantly twisted to face the monitor.
PS: Is that a 1TB Seagate Free Agent external? If it is, I have the same one...just sayin
Nah, it's my "BeBox" which is basically my router.
Right I just got my new chair and I took away the shelves and rearranged my desk, now the monitor is in front of me. It's going to take some serious getting used to, it feels so strange.
You won't be disappointed dude, now you'll stop walking like a crab. I'm not even sure, did you complain about your back ect. HAHA. I hope that the change will work better for your RSI.
Yeah, my wrist is always a little bent when using the mouse, it's just how I've always held it.
Today has been particularly bad, my wrist has been really sore and burning