Panasonic Youth rob sanheim writes about software, business, ruby, music, stuff and things

Programming in Pain

So it seems my RSI is really acting up, which should’t be surprising since I’m in a much different work environment and spending more time working from a laptop. It was pretty bad last week, with tingling up and down my left arm, especially in my elbow. A massuese friend of mine gave me a massage last week that helped for a bit, and recommended I get to a chiropractor since “T3 is way out of alignment”. I may get back to the guy who did some ART for me before, as that seems to really help.

I ran out and got some ergonomic stuff and an elbow brace to try and help things, and so far it seems a bit better. Also working on the posture - I need to get some sort of reminder program since its so easy to forget and end up slouching. I’m taking a lot more “microbreaks” for quick stretching, and taking ibuprofen for the worse times.

Feeling pain shoot up and down your arm while typing is always scary when your livelihood comes from programming - so I’ll just have to modify my habits to fight this again. When I was consulting I had problems for awhile, but was able to fight it off through some modifications. I’ll have to do the same this time.

Although most people dont like to hear this. But RSI and other computer related issues (poor posture, rolled shoulders ) and the like are delt with effectivly by free weights .. get thee to the gym.

R

Just an FYI, some consider chiropractic to be a pseudoscience with no grounding in modern understanding of the way the body works. Wikipedia has an article on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropracter#Science_and_chiropractic

I don’t really know much to speak of on the subject, but I have heard of people being injured from visiting chiropractors, and their beliefs do sound counter-scientific.

Richard: yea yea I know, I need to make time to get back to the gym.

Peter: I agree that much of chiro is suspect, particularily claims to healing things like cancer. I think there is some merit if you take chiro as a limited short term treatment and combine it with massage/stretching/exercise to try and improve posture and muscular imbalances.

Rob

The while I agree there are a few bad apples in the chiropractic world if they can cure anything with just a simple adjustment or some supplements, actors are out there that can help with symptoms such as headaches, back pain, whiplash, and many other symptoms.

If you’re interested I would look into it as a good chiropractor should help you to find the cause of the problem and help you correct it.

Kevin