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BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief?
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Subject: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: katlaughing Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:46 AM Felt like it was broken; doc did xrays to find it is tennis elbow. I've moved the track ball for use with the other hand and have a strap just under the screaming elbow that helps somewhat. Also, have small weights I've begun to use, again, to build up strength in those muscles. Any other suggestions of what might help. I cannot hardly believe how much such a thing can hurt! Thanks! kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: wysiwyg Date: 23 Jan 02 - 10:07 AM You will be a lot less vulnerable to these inflammatory processes if you rebuild your adrenals. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Mr Red Date: 23 Jan 02 - 03:59 PM What U got there is a stretched tendon or inflamed sheath. For the stretched tendon I used a brace which basically was a flat of stiffish plastic bent round the forearm muscles and velcroed to grip the tendons on the muscle instead of relying on the attachment near the bone. There are newer sorts of brace but the Ace one (Made in the USA) was best - its the stiffish plastic that helps. I used mine for badminto for about 3 months maybe 6. You have to release the pressure for abou 1/44 hour every 1/4 hour apparently. Not sure if it helps but I declined the injections - they are a 50% proposition. The doctor was no help at all. Not even supplying the name of a sports inury physio. I asked a world class badminton coach, he told me where to get a brace & play through the pain. Now every pharmacist has them. Hmmmmmmm. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: catspaw49 Date: 23 Jan 02 - 04:40 PM Yeah Darlin....Stay off the computer! LOL!!! luvyakatmyluv..........Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Bill D Date: 23 Jan 02 - 05:40 PM yes....how about a program requires almost NO clicking...just gentle moving of a mouse? I posted about it in a thread a few months ago .... take a look and see if you think it would help |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: NicoleC Date: 23 Jan 02 - 06:24 PM In the long run, you might consider a change in mouse, too. I do well with a logitech mouse with a small trackball under the thumb or the eraser-point kind on my laptop, but the bigger trackballs and the regular mice give me a major pain in the elbow. To each their own -- find one that works for you -- lots of them have 30 day money-back guarentees. They also have mousepad holders that attach to your armchair rest that eliminate the reaching problem, and it gives your elbow a rest. I set up a couple of folks here in the office who had arthritis and couldn't deal with the keyboard OR mouse with Naturally Speaking, and unlike early incarnations of voice recognition software, this one works quite well. It's a bit of a resource hog and it isn't cheap (about $200), but they swear by it, and both have bought it for home use as well. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: van lingle Date: 23 Jan 02 - 06:43 PM Sorry to hear this, kat. I use to get t-elbow from golf and tennis and it takes a while for it to go away. Ice when it's sore and when it gets to feeling better take a stick of some sort, or even a piece of PVC with an outside diameter of around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches, whatever's comfortable for you and attach a rope to it long enough to reach to the floor when holding the cylinder out chest high. Add a light weight to the rope, start with about 1 or 2 lb's, and do roll ups and roll downs. I do it regularly and haven't had t-elbow in a good long time. Or, you can buy one of those Step On It foot pedals you told me about *g*. Hope you get to feeling better, Dave. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Gomez Date: 23 Jan 02 - 06:59 PM Isn't it a cruel god that persecutes us for indulging in such innocent pleasures. My heart goes out to you Kat. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Nancy King Date: 23 Jan 02 - 08:07 PM When my late mother got TE she told the doctor, "It hurts when I reach up to get the coffee out of the cupboard." "We can fix that," he said, "move the coffee to a lower shelf." Wouldn't it be nice if it were that simple. Ever since the library I work in went to a Windows-based -- and poorly designed -- catalog and circulation system, my wrist, elbow, shoulder and neck have been giving me fits. No shooting pains yet (I can hardly wait), just constant aches. It's particularly difficult for us because we use shared workstations so we constantly have to juggle chair height, monitor angle, mouse position, etc., and none of it helps much. For home, I've just ordered a gadget called "The Surf Board," which purports to be an ergonomically-designed armrest which clamps onto your desktop (no not THAT desktop, the real one) and supports the forearm, and swivels out of the way when not in use. It hasn't arrived yet, so we'll see how it goes. How's using the trackball with the other hand going, Kat? I tried that VERY briefly once. It would have been funny if it hadn't been so frustrating. I would like to see a trackball or mouse that operated vertically or on an angled surface. When people extend their arms normally, the palm comes up perpendicular to the floor. That is its natural position. Using a mouse or trackball forces us to turn our wrists 90 degrees and work in that position for a long time. Very stressful. I haven't seen a trackball or mouse that addresses that issue at all, not that I've really looked much. Clearly I can and will get a better trackball than the one I've got now, but I sure hope somebody gets busy and designs some really "ergonomic" equipment. Good luck, Kat! Hope it feels better soon! Cheers, Nancy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:04 PM Nancy - if your terminal at work is giving you grief, tell your Health and Safety rep/risk assessor. They will make sure something is done - from changing your working practices to changing your terminal! Kat, hate to tell you this, but Spaw has it.... stay off the computer for a while!!! Take breaks, stretch your hands, wrists and arms, do rotation excercises, anything that involves the other muscles of the hand and arm. And be careful with wrist rests.... some of them are more trouble than use. Take care dear. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Bob Bolton Date: 23 Jan 02 - 09:36 PM G'day Kat, Lots of empathy ... I scored a sudden "Tennis Elbow" last year ... lifting a hefty dictionary from my bookshelf full of equally heavy dictionaries. It was the left arm and seems not to have cramped my computer work too much, but I bought a couple of the special strap/supports (2, so I could wash one/wear one). It all seems to have gone away over the 8 or 9 months, leaving a new 'click' in my hypermotile joints. It certainly hurts badly for a long time ... but it was healed (I hope). I'm glad to say that playing accordions and concertinas actually helped ... probably because everything was happening in a different plane. Regards, Bob Bolton |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Sandy Paton Date: 24 Jan 02 - 12:24 AM Golly, Kat'leen, m'luv. I should have warned you that might be contagious! You probably caught it from me when we talked on the 'phone the other day. Yeah, that's right. I've got it, too. Not in my mouse-moving arm, but in the left arm, which always seems to tense up on me when I'm bopping around on the internet, typing booklets, or doing the business stuff (ugh!). But I'm a ninny. I went to the orthopedist and got a cortisone shot. He also gave me one of the forearm velcro clampers ("wear it during the day, take it off at night"), and a prescription to the local physical therapy center (which I haven't had time to use as yet). At least, since it's on a prescription, Medicare will cover the PT for me. Aside from that - Ibuprofen. I'm a very conventional fellow! Sandy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: katlaughing Date: 24 Jan 02 - 02:57 AM THANKS YEW ALL!! I really appreciate all of your advice. Spaw, I know you are right, but damn it is hard! I will try to make this short. Bill, thanks for the link, sorry I missed that thread. I will definitely look at that program. Nicole, thanks, I'd actually tried a 30 day older version of Naturally Speakign and thoguht it had merit. There is a program here which I used to qualify for, which coudl get me my own copy, I think for free, so I'll give them a call. I went to my acupuncturist, today, and he spent over and hour treating my whole right arm; needles, a topical application, massage therapy, and infra-red het lamp. It was wonderful! I am to keep it from getting chilled (I cut the end out of an old sock and am now sporting it the length of my arm!); the brace my m.d. told me to wear willa ctually restrict the "chi" so I am leaving it off; and I am to rest it, i.e. stay off the computer, as much as possible. Also, I switched from a mouse to a logitech trackball a few months ago and that DID help, tremendously, with tendonitis in my shoulder. I can see though thatteh angle of my wrist is all wrong adn there should be some sort of angled or vertical type which would be more ergonomic. Dave, did I really tell you about one of those?**BG** I have started do roll ups with my 2lb weights and that seems to help. I will be interested to hear about the "surfboard." Right now, I have everything as ergonomic as possible. Sandygramps....try acupuncture, luv...it's lots better than those drugs!*bg* Ibuprofen makes me break out and itch! Good for the PT, though! luvya'll...kat Thanks to all of you. Very helpful and greatly appreciated! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: katlaughing Date: 24 Jan 02 - 03:22 AM Wow!! BillD! Thanksdarlin'! NEAT program!! So fast and easy to download and install and I love that I don't have to click! I think it will help a lot. I notice one reason why you must've been happy with it, right away, highlighted below: MouseTool doesn't know or care about your hardware. You can use a Trackball, touchpad, stick, hamster-in-a-wheel, or any clever newfangled doohickey pointing device. **BG** |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Bill D Date: 24 Jan 02 - 11:02 PM yup, and it CAN act like hamsters running over the keyboard too you get used to it... *big happy smile*...almost missed your replies!...I'm SO glad it helps!...I use it myself whenever my hand/arm get tired and I have more I NEED (read..*want*) to do..*grin*.. (takes little getting used to as to where to 'park' the cursor, huh?)...but all the settings of timing and such really make it versatile! (I can play solitare for HOURS with this toy!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: WyoWoman Date: 24 Jan 02 - 11:44 PM Massage (Go see Loretta. I hear she's doing massage again. She worked wonders for my very same problem. Tell her I said hello and I love her and i'm glad she's well again. And then let her get to work on your trigger points, even if it hurts). If you can find the nerve that's firing (usually you can feel around with your fingers and find it. The way you know is that nothing on your entire arm hurts worse than that one little spot) and put ice on it -- actually rub an ice cube on it. Acupuncture. I hear there's someone in Casper doing this now. If you need help finding out, I can ask around. This is why I now use the mouse with my left hand completely. It's been several years and my right elbow and wrist, etc. don't bother me much anymore. But as soon as I start using the mouse with my right hand, bingo! I'm right back where I started. It sucks, and the suckiest part of it is thinking that you're going to be stuck with this for the rest of your life. This is not so. You can have it go away, but you'll probably need to do several things all at once, including maybe some anti-inflammatories for a while. I used relafen and it made a big difference, along with the massage and acupuncture. Neither of them would work alone -- it took the combination. And experiment with some of the changes in techology suggested above, too. There ARE solutions. Good luck, kiddo. ww |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Kaleea Date: 25 Jan 02 - 01:21 AM Just went to my Dr. today & as he was checking the Carpal Tunell progress, or lack thereof, he told me that he sees 6-7-8 yr olds come in with Carpal Tunnell & tennis elbow from computer games. & to think my grandparents had no plumbing or electricity, hmmm . . . You might try alternating heat & cold on the elbow. Often chronic pain is relieved with some of those gel or buckwheat pillow/packs by keeping one in the freezer & carefully microwaving (DON"T OVERHEAT) the other. You would apply the heat for 20 minutes, then off 20 min, then cold 20 minutes, then repeat. I was she of little faith when my mother, (a nurse for goodness sake)told me this. When the pain in the neck & back (from a whiplash) became unbearable, I tried this, and lo & belold, it is terrific. Do not delay, try hot & cold today. You can use a bag of frozen peas (do not plan to eat them after waltzing them in & out of the freezer unknown times!), and a very warm small towel, as hot as you can take it without burning your skin. Or a heating pad, & crushed ice in a baggie wrapped in a towel so as not to freeze the skin. Good luck! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: GUEST,Sandy Paton (on the downstairs computer) Date: 25 Jan 02 - 01:30 AM Funny. The acupuncturist tells Kat'leen that she must keep it warm and puts it under a heat lamp. Here, the local (and extremely popular) homeopath says "It's an inflammation; pack it in ice!" He also applies the forearm tourniquet (sp?) technique. Guess he doesn't know about "chi." I tried acupuncture once for a pinched nerve in my neck. Did nothing for it at all. I let you know, m'luv, how things work out with the PT folks. I'm glad I don't react badly to Ibuprofen! Sandy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: katlaughing Date: 25 Jan 02 - 03:06 AM WW, was I, darlin', who told you about the acu-guy in Casper, now. :-) Been working with him on other things for about 1.5 months now. Trigger points? Oh yeah, those places where, when Rog digs his thumb in, I scream!! Had those for years in various spots, just not this one before!**BG** Bill, thanks, again...it did take a little getting used to but really is pretty logical when one pays attention.*grin bigtime* Kaleea, thank you. I had been using my hot water bottle, but got one of the buckwheat pillows today and love the way it conforms to the shape of my arm.I did get it a tad too hot though, so...now it's out with the aloe vera. Sandydarlin'...whatever works for each, ya know? I am glad you are able to take the ibuprofen. My system is so senstive my doc has a big label on the front of my chart "high risks meds!" There is only one pain kller they will let me have, to protect my kidneys, and it's not doing much. Chinese medicine is much different than anything I've ever encountered before, including osteopathy, different kinds of massage therapy, homeopathy, chirpopracty, and allopathic. So far, it feels right to me and has kept me from having to have more invasive stuff done that the regular docs wanted to do, so...tomorrow I am scheduled for more of the same on my elbow, arm, and wrist, plus a Chinese massage. I really, really appreciate all of your postings and encouragement. Thanks, very much, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Jan 02 - 03:20 AM I married a chiropractor, and that took care of all my problems. -Joe Newlywed- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: katlaughing Date: 25 Jan 02 - 03:36 AM I'll just bet it did, Joe NewlyWed! Welcome back! And, how is Mrs. NewlyWed? **BG** Good honeymoon? Any pix, or all they all x-rated?*really BG* |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: WyoWoman Date: 25 Jan 02 - 08:52 AM I had one of those heat-em-up-in-the-microwave pillows for a while. I really liked it, but I hadn't used it for a while and decided to give it a whirl. I couldn't remember how long to heat it, so I hit the button for 2 minutes and it esploded all over Mr. Microwave. Lovely to try and clean out melted silicon gel ... Yes, kat, t'was true. You DID tell me about the acupuncturist -- as did Pam my friend who's the physical therapist. I still think you need to spend many quality hours under the care of Loretta. And even if the tennis elbow doesn't go away, at least the REST of your body feels like liquid. (Now try driving home in that condition ... ) w |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: katlaughing Date: 25 Jan 02 - 10:23 AM Ouch, WW! No silicon gel here. These pillows are made by an herbalist here and are stuffed with some kind of grain.:-) I know, I probably should go to Loretta and her magic fingers...I think on it, okay? I am off to the acu this morning and it is feeling better....thank goodness for aloe vera, though! Thanks, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Bill D Date: 25 Jan 02 - 10:34 AM we have several of those grain-filled bags..(some with corn, some with rice)...they are great!...easy to make...(you 'can' just get a small cloth sack, pour in some rice, and tie a knot, but there are more elegant ways for those who sew)....2-3 minutes in the microwave and WARM!....(I often slip one inside my zipped jacket when I am heading out to a cold car...keeps the hands warm while the carheater strains to catch up) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Mr Red Date: 25 Jan 02 - 12:28 PM logitech do a nice 4 button optical radio mouse with a 6 ft range so it can be used on any surface (even denim jeans) any angle and even away from the PC. If it wasn't for the fact that I got used to a two wheel (updown& leftright) AMI I would have bought one myself. Would that kinda mouse be any good? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Nancy King Date: 25 Jan 02 - 06:57 PM Well, my "Surf Board" gadget just arrived. Easy to install. I think it may help relieve the shoulder tension a bit, but really will do nothing to address the rotation problem. I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and go the damn computer store. I HATE computer stores, and they hate me. But I think I need to try out a bunch of different things. And none of that will help the problem at work. The Powers That Be in the library department are very much aware of the complaints, having received a lot of them, but the response has been decidedly underwhelming. Pull-out keyboard drawers which are supposed to put the keyboard at the right height, the occasional wrist support pad, and the (believe it or not) new ability to use function keys instead of mouse clicks to get to a few commonly-used "wizards." This might save 1% of the mouse clicks required to actually do anything. Gripe, gripe, gripe. It's a good thing I can tolerate ibuprofin. Cheers, Nancy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Bill D Date: 25 Jan 02 - 07:00 PM if I had an easy chair in front of the PC and a keyboard that was also 'remote;, I'd sure try that along with that program... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Bill D Date: 25 Jan 02 - 07:29 PM Nancy...would they 'allow' you to try that program that kat has found useful? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: artbrooks Date: 25 Jan 02 - 07:49 PM Kat, when I moved and set up my home-office, I got a mousepad with a padded wrist rest (mine is by Kensington, but there are lots around) and an office chair with padded arms. The arms are raised high enough for my arm to be level with the desktop (while resting on it). This all in consultation with herself the OT. Moving is a good excuse to buy new furniture... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Nancy King Date: 26 Jan 02 - 12:21 AM I dunno, Bill. I guess I'll have to look into it. I'm not sure how it would work out with our shared terminals, however, and there's really no way around that. Hmm. We'll see. Lots of worthwhile leads in this thread. Thanks, folks! Cheers, Nancy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Bill D Date: 26 Jan 02 - 11:48 AM yup, Nancy...I forget about 'networks'....but I do know someone who is on a shared terminal Network, and still has special programs on just her machine..*shrug*...hard to say. (you can zip by and 'test' it on mine if you want a preview...*grin*) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Mr Red Date: 26 Jan 02 - 01:08 PM my mouse pad is a rubber mat in a plastic tray. the wrist rest is 3 padded rollers, you can slide north south easily. I only ever saw one place doing them and for a mouse mat it was too much (24 UK pounds 5 years ago) but I like it. The optical radio mouse seems to promise a solution here in most departments, I am not sure on how heavy it is but Logitec always think it through well. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: katlaughing Date: 27 Jan 02 - 04:23 PM That sounds interesting, Mr. Red! Thanks. BillDarlin'...have you ever had any trouble with the mousetool bringing up your screensaver program? For some reason, today, whie I was in Paltalk and once while i was posting to the 'Cat, my screensaver come up and wouldn't stop unless I hit control/alt/delete. It kept doing it, until I turned off the mousetool:-( Looks like I need to see about voice recognition regardless. Thanks, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Dave the Gnome Date: 27 Jan 02 - 06:13 PM Good temporary relief can be gained without drugs by using a TENS machine. Alternatively apply pressure the 'accupuncture point' at the join between your thumb and forefinger by pressing the other thumb into the fleshy bit just next to the join while slightly moving the elbow helps me. Must be better that the cortizone injection into the elbow that doc. suggested! Don't fancy that one bit..:-( Cheers and hope it gets better soon. Dave the Gnome |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Bill D Date: 27 Jan 02 - 07:07 PM ahhhh...kat, I do know there are couple of 'hotkeys' in Mousetool...maybe one of them is the default for your screensaver? That's my first guess..(check under 'options' and maybe try disabling hotkeys for a bit...) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Computer-induced tennis elbow-relief? From: Wilfried Schaum Date: 28 Jan 02 - 01:42 AM Poor kat,
I know this hurting elbow too well. Best counselling was given by Mr Red. Wilfried |