Blackberry Thumb, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Modern Inconvieniences
There is nothing new about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Anyone working on an assembly line or typing 8 hours a day can tell you that.
What's different is that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome used to be connected almost solely with one's work. A typist, an assembler, a seamstress.
But because almost everyone now works on a computer, for both fun and work, carpal tunnel syndrome and the newer problem of having 'Blackberry Thumb' (or similiar issues with other small hand held devices, commonly known as a PDA - Personal Digital Assistant) causing users of the small Blackberry to experience pain and discomfort from repetitive use is experienced by many, whether student or middle-aged exec or retiree.
What can we do to alleviate the pain? According to experts there are several ways. " Try to do more on your computer. Don't write phone books on your PDA. Limit yourself to 'yes' or 'no' answers when you can," advised Dr. Charles Leinberry Jr., a hand and wrist specialist at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital." SOURCE http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_65822.html
And because Blackberry's are integral to so many peoples lives (just ask my husband!), getting them to stop using them on evenings and weekends is nearly impossible. And especially as people travel for work more and more, having a PDA is mandatory.
"Margot Miller, president of the American Physical Therapy Association's Occupational Health Special Interest Group, added: "Because the keyboard of the PDA is so small, and because the thumb, which is the least dexterous part of the hand, is overtaxed, the risk of injury just skyrockets."
"The use of PDAs is no longer limited to the eight hours spent in the workplace," Miller said. "More and more, people are depending on these devices to stay in touch with friends and family before and after the workday and on the weekends, as well as having access to work when they leave the office. That is where the heart of the problem lies." ." SOURCE http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_65822.html
A doctor or physical therapist can explain the exercises that can help with pain and a cortisone shot may be given, if necessary.
Other than that, unless we are prepared to give up our computers and PDAs (and I am not!), carpal tunnel and Blackberry thumb may be here to stay.
I experience pain in my right hand regularly, and I particularly feel it using my computer mouse. I did get tested for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (and the testing was very painful) but the results were negative.
Tell Us-
Do you experience pain from repetitive use of a PDA, mouse or computer? What other discomforts do you have, from using modern devices?
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Susan, with regard to your pain, did your doctor recommend a brace to stabilize your hand and wrist when using the mouse? I worked with a woman who experienced similar pain, did not have CT, but used brace and found it alleviated some of the discomfort. She also placed a pad in front of her keyboard to elevate her wrists a bit.
Like your husband, I love the convenience of being able to answer e-mail or text from my phone. While I've been able to dodge Blackberry thumb, I do have eye strain from time to time from looking at my computer too much. I try to eliminate glare and have used screens, but sometimes get that 'filmy' feeling.
Yes! I forgot to mention it because I forgot all about it!
I did get a brace and it worked well. I now tend to use the computer im spurts rather than all day long (which was the case before) so it's not as bad but on days where I type/write all day, my hand really aches, particularly my right hand as I use that hand for the mouse. Whouda thunk a mouse would be so wretched?!
Thanks for the reminder, I think another brace would actually help me a lot.
I've had a blackberry for about 3 years. Part of my morning ritual is to wake up and, in bed for an hour, read the industry research which is emailed to me daily. It's much more convenient than spending an extra hour in my office. I also return urgent emails and shoot out important messages. However, a couple months after I got the Blackberry Storm, which is a touch screen and requires you to actually push down on the screen until it clicks fo each maneuver, I began to get an ache in my forearm. I thought maybe it was due to straining it biking so I relaxed off it a bit. But the pain ony worsened with time. It has gotten so bad that it feels like a bruise all the time, especially agrivated by movement or touch. I coincidentally have been having the same problem in my achilles tendon, preventing me from walking without limping. As I was doing some research, I discovered I have achilles tendonitis and started to look into similar site about my forearm.
I discovered this site! http://www.fastpitchpress.com/pressrelease.cfm?PRID=30189 and now it all makes sense! Apparently it has become very common for users of the blackberry to have persistent and worsening pain in their either thumb or forearm. I haven't had the thumb pain yet, but the forearm pain is nearly debilitating for blackberry use. I have been weaning myself from my office and trying to reclaim more of my life back from my workaholic tendencies, but now I've realized my best bet is to get an assistant rather than try and manage the entire workload myself. I hope some others can now identify what they've been suffering from as "blackberry syndrome" as the doctor called it, and now put a name to that nagging pain in their forearm.
I know I'll be switching to an iphone (which does not require clicking the screen) as soon as Verizon picks it up, it will be well worth getting rid of blackberry syndrome, I hope for good!
Lindsey Kinnsch
Hi, Lindsey:
I switched from my Blackberry Curve to an iPhone, primarily because I can see what's on the screen better. Yes, there's the "cool factor," too. It is definitely easier to use a touch screen than deal with that little roller ball (drove me nuts). I think there's something to be said for less strain on the eyes, as well as less strain on the wrists/fingers/forearm, using the iPhone.
Sorry to hear about your achilles tendonitis. I hope that heals quickly. Are you getting therapy for either of your muscles sprains?
This is a great share because someone was just telling me that I am going to have carpal thumb from my blackberry. It is a complete addiction. Thanks for the share. It is certainly something to keep in mind for the future since this will certainly be an issue.