Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-bc!rsoft!mindlink!a1875
From: Ronald_Ramage@mindlink.bc.ca (Ronald Ramage)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Arm and shoulder pain
Message-ID: <6289@mindlink.bc.ca>
Date: 15 Jun 91 16:44:34 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Lines: 35

> kskelm@happy.colorado.edu writes:
> 
> Msg-ID: <1991Jun13.091117.1@happy.colorado.edu>
> Posted: 13 Jun 91 15:11:17 GMT
> 
> Org.  : University of Colorado, Boulder
> 
> In article <10069111:09:40LAL5@lehigh.bitnet>, LAL5@NS.CC.LEHIGH.EDU (Leslie
> A. Lucas) writes:
> > I am having problems with my arms and shoulders from drawing with
> > mouse and light pen.  The repetitiveness of the job damaged my
> > "artistic arm" and is now hurting the other arm.  Do any of you have a
> > similar problem?  What are you doing about it?  I have been going from
> > doctor to doctor, and have found no solution.
> 
>    Yes.  After using a mouse for an extended period, my entire hand goes
> numb and tingly.  When using the mouse, I am resting the weight of my arm
> exactly on the bottom side of my wrist.  I guess it cuts off circulation or
> something.  If I do it TOOOO long, the numbness travels all the way to my
> upper
> arm.

I have damaged wings from falling off bicycles at high speeds onto hard
surfaces.  In a standard desk/monitor/keyboard/mouse/tablet setup, my left
arm/wrist is positioned in a way that circulation is compromised.  (This
because of the way some of the bones healed.)  My arm balloons up and needs to
be lifted over my head and kneaded to move the collected fluids along.  For
this reason I have had to alter the setup/placement to accomodate my needs.
What I've done is make myself perfectly comfortable in my chair.  Perfectly
comfortable, able to sit for days without moving.  Then I place the input tool
(Keyboard, trackball, lightpen, tablet) under my fingers as they sit when
perfectly comfortable.  I have used swing-arm holders to accomplish this.  I
also place the monitor(s) to be exactly in my line of sight, no neck craning at
all.  Then I can and have spent days in the chair working away, happy as a
clam.