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?
Comments
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.
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.
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