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The Functional Programmer – Keeping Repetitive Strain Injury at Bay [video]

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1–10 of 21 posts

Re: The Functional Programmer – Keeping Repetitive Strain Injury at Bay [video]

#3

I use KT tape all the time on my forearms and shoulder/neck to keep repetive strain injury away.

KT tape is a scam. You're not going to affect tendons and muscles by applying colorful tape to the surface of the skin, it's absurd.

Re: The Functional Programmer – Keeping Repetitive Strain Injury at Bay [video]

#4
My anecdote is I switched to a vertical mouse[1] and a split keyboard[2] and it solved it for me. I went from constant dull throbbing pain and fear of career death to not even thinking about it anymore. Yay!

[1] Evoluent [2] Kinesis Freestyle2

Re: The Functional Programmer – Keeping Repetitive Strain Injury at Bay [video]

#5
Having been through several bouts of RSI-type injuries, here's my advice:

1) take up active hobbies that strengthen vulnerable body parts. Rock climbing did wonders for keeping my De Quervain's tendinitis from returning.

2) stretching is an enormous part of recovery, if you've already developed tendinitis.

3) fix your posture. I didn't realize that I was craning my head forward over the years to compensate for poorly corrected astigmatism.

4) vary your environment. A convertible sit/stand desk along with an adjustable monitor arm should allow you to change up your position many times per day.

5) never spend extended periods with your arm extended to the mouse, resting your arm's weight on your wrist. This is probably the single worst thing for your wrists (aside from impact injury).

6) invest in a decent mechanical keyboard. Consistent, light key resistance is more important than ergonomic layouts, not that I have anything against properly executed ergo.

7) WALK! Get up, stretch your head back and your arms up. Go for a walk around the block while maintaining proper posture. No staring at your phone. It does wonders to reset your body and would have saved me years of pain if I'd done it regularly.

Re: The Functional Programmer – Keeping Repetitive Strain Injury at Bay [video]

#7

Having been through several bouts of RSI-type injuries, here's my advice: 1) take up active hobbies that strengthen vulnerable body parts. Rock climbing did wonders for keeping my De Quervain's tendinitis from returning. 2) stretching is an enormous part of recovery, if you've already developed tendinitis. 3) fix your posture. I didn't realize that I was craning my head forward over the years to compensate for poorly…

This is a great list. One thing I want to add is that when I was suffering from tendinitis, I wasn’t able to really start building strength until I got cortisone shots. They’re a temporary solution but they can buy you the time to be able to function and start exercising. It’s a very powerful tool.

Re: The Functional Programmer – Keeping Repetitive Strain Injury at Bay [video]

#8
post #7

Having been through several bouts of RSI-type injuries, here's my advice: 1) take up active hobbies that strengthen vulnerable body parts. Rock climbing did wonders for keeping my De Quervain's tendinitis from returning. 2) stretching is an enormous part of recovery, if you've already developed tendinitis. 3) fix your posture. I didn't realize that I was craning my head forward over the years to compensate for poorly…

This is a great list. One thing I want to add is that when I was suffering from tendinitis, I wasn’t able to really start building strength until I got cortisone shots. They’re a temporary solution but they can buy you the time to be able to function and start exercising. It’s a very powerful tool.

Yes. Also, consistent, responsible use of anti-inflammatories. For example, one 200mg ibuprofen three times per day, evenly spaced, seemed to pay off more than 400mg in the morning and 400mg before bed. And, of course, you have to remember that you're still injured.

To anyone suffering RSI, get into physical therapy. They'll teach you valuable stretches and exercises that will be useful for the rest of your life.

Probably the single most important thing is this: try to deal with injury before it becomes chronic. If your wrists seem sore or you get tingling sensations, seek help before you develop an injury that's going to take months or years to heal!

Re: The Functional Programmer – Keeping Repetitive Strain Injury at Bay [video]

#9

My anecdote is I switched to a vertical mouse[1] and a split keyboard[2] and it solved it for me. I went from constant dull throbbing pain and fear of career death to not even thinking about it anymore. Yay! [1] Evoluent [2] Kinesis Freestyle2

I did this too (with a Goldtouch instead of the Freestyle), and it worked... for a couple years. Then I get RSI so severe that it took me off work for 12 months.

In my case, I think it was the bad posture, smartphone use, and laptop use in bed which continued to damage the tendons, despite the ergonomic setup I used during the day at work.

Re: The Functional Programmer – Keeping Repetitive Strain Injury at Bay [video]

#10
post #6

It's quite comical that in an age where companies are willing to pay 100s of thousands for their top knowledge workers wrist issues bring all that heavy caliber thinking to a screeching halt.

so i wonder if its like sports... they aren't paying for workers to be or stay healthy. like a football team, they are paying a handful of superstars until their bodies are used up and broken, then they can discard them for the next generation.
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