My Left Wrist
You may notice there is not a 10 Question interview here today like most Fridays. (Never fear - it shall return soon). There are many reasons for this, but suffice to say - I am tired. Really tired. I have had to make some big decisions in my personal life and after a week of running about here and there…it has caught up with me.
At some point, I will write a post dedicated to some of the responses that I receive when I ask people to consider being part of the 10 Questions - but again I am tired and my wrist hurts. So, instead of a rant, I’ll dedicate this post to my wrist.
Dearest Left Wrist,
I know I have taken you for granted. I have assumed you would always be there for me, unnoticed in the background. But alas, I have neglected you and I am sorry. I should have paid more attention to you, listening to your unhappiness about needing a new wrist pad for the mouse (and the perils of power dropping with the entrecard crowd). I know, I know - its time to look at places for carpal tunnel relief and be more responsible in how I care for you.
You see, I know you think a bout with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome will prove to me that you do indeed need more from me in our relationship. I know with the new brochure and materials I have been working on day and night, your tendon sheaths have become irritated (believe me, I would be irritated, too), so much so that they are swelling up and are not allowing the rest of my hand to receive it very much needed blood supply. You can be so cruel. Yes, I know what that tingling sensation means. How I long for the days when my fingers moved gracefully, tendons happy and peaceful. Why must you incite me to a state of pain management?
Okay, I am listening. What do you want? Surgery - I don’t think so. Injections? Really, that seems extreme. What if I give you some rest time? How about a splint at night so I do not clench you? I would even consider the IMAK Smart Glove® since it has a flexible splint. How about that? I could wear it while we work and be reminded that I need to keep you positioned properly. It even has massaging ergoBeads™ - imagine it - a massage all the time.
So, before you grumble and throw another stabbing pain moment my way, please consider what I am saying. I’ll take better care of you and you can give me some carpal tunnel relief. Would you please give me another chance?
Love,
Ellie
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 am
I learned a few things from a prolonged bout with CTS about 15 years ago. Chief on the list was that posture is everything. For most people those pads are not helpful because they’re just reinforcing a bad habit. Instead, change your work posture so that your keyboard and mouse are lower than your elbows. That will keep your arms parallel to the floor and off the tabletop.
If you have a reclining chair, a very comfortable and healthy posture is to lean back and hold the keyboard and mouse in your lap (or use a keyboard with a built-in trackball or touchpad in lieu of a separate mouse). Put your feet up and I think you’ll find this very enjoyable. It helps, obviously, if the keyboard and mouse are cordless.
Feel better soon, Ellie.
<MR>
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:53 pm
are you right handed? If so, consider what is going on in your life dealing with the feminine/passive side of you? Where do you feel injustices?
just a thought.
August 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Hmmm…will this still help my left wrists? Does this mean it is my masculine side? And does the same apply?
August 23rd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
If right handed then left is feminine/passive issues, right is masculine/dominant issues. If left handed (like me) then it is opposite. So, when I have a pain in the neck/shoulder on my left side I examine where I feel burdens from those who seek to dominate me or my issues with aggression or the men in my life.
Make more sense?