Re: Ergonomic Input Device Suggestions....

[Kathy Messbarger <kathym -at- BIOTRACK -dot- COM>]

Bill,
Did he happen to mention whether arms on your chair would make a
difference?  I recently switched to a chair without arms and have
started experiencing some pain in my elbow and shoulder.  I thought
maybe it was because I have been used to resting my elbow on the arm of
a chair.
Thanks
Kathy Messbarger
kathym -at- biotrack -dot- com
(816)452-5151
(816)452-5611 fax


Bill Bledsoe wrote:
>
> Jennifer, Techwr-lers,
>
> Back after a long absence... I'll chime in with some hopefully useful info.
>
> We just had this month at Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist Consultant
> come talk to our St. Louis STC Chapter about injuries and problems we face every
> day that are related to sitting in front of a computer.
>
> He said many wonderful things that night, and very few of them (to our surprise)
> were centered around buying stuff for your work environment.  He did however say
> that the root cause of these problems you are describing (wrist, head, neck
> problems) stem from the way you are sitting.  He was big on a chair with, or
> getting a pad for, lumbar support.  He says two thirds of the people he sees as
> patients from offices, sit poorly in their chair.
>
> I have a few handouts left from the meeting.  In them, he explains how this is
> true, and gives you exercises to alieviate the problem.
>
> Contact me If you would like, and I'll send you a copy of the exercises and
> information if you send me a SASE (should be a $.32 US stamp on an 8x11 envelope)
>
> Pepexx wrote:
>
> > Hey there everyone,
> >
> > Lately I have been experiencing some discomfort when using the mouse.    The
> > pain has been mainly in the center of my hand when I click the buttons.  I
> > also get knots in my neck and shoulders even though I look straight at the
> > monitor.
> >
> > I am a lefty and have switched hands already.  I have also gotten a mouse
> > wrist pad.  I have looked into other options, but it would really help if I
> > could get some feedback from those of you that have used these devices.
> >
> > These are the options I know of and my questions about them:
> >
> > 1) A wrist support in the form of a glove that attaches with velcro.
> >
> > Question: How easy is it to move back and forth between mouse and keyboard with
> > what looks like a relatively cumbersome piece of equipment on your hand?
> >
> > 2) A touchpad.
>
> He was very big on touch pads... says they are the least "damaging" input device,
> and highly recommended them.
>
> > Question:  the only ones I have been able to find that don't use a stylus have
> > been pretty small.  Does size matter? More importantly, does it even help?  I
> > am concerned that the light touch required might cause its own discomfort.
> > Also, can anyone recommend one that is both windows 95 and NT compatable?
> >
> > 3) A graphics tablet with stylus.
> >
> > Question: A stylus seems like it has the potential to be pretty uncomfortable
> > to use.
> >
> > 4) A roller ball.
> >
> > Question:  Is this really any more comfortable or easier to use?
>
> cheers, all!
> --
> ****************************************************
> Bill Bledsoe
> Senior Technical Writer - CMS
> Bill -dot- Bledsoe -at- cms-stl -dot- com or intlidox -at- anet-stl -dot- com
>
> Prediction 4
> "The people who are studying Tai Chi Chuan instead
> of saving money are planning to beat us up and take
> our stuff when we've retired"
>
> Scott Adams - The Dilbert Future
> ****************************************************
> If Bill Said it, Bill said it... Not CMS.  Got it?
> ****************************************************
>

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