Computer Ergonomics
mod
Hi all
So i created this thread because i feel that something like this is lacking in PC. something related to computer ergonomics and diseases related to the use of computers.
Im doing physiotherapy to my wrists and lower back and was wondering if any of you have the same problems. and if so what do you do when you are on pain.
THe most common disease among artists might be carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis (inflammations of tendons) i know that roscharch had carpal tunnel surguery.
So, how do you have your rig at home and work? do you have like special chairs or soemthing? post pics if you can and talk about your experiences.
I for one have no idea what i have. I did a test to see if i had carpal tunnel( this test where they give you shocks on your nerves thru the help with needles and measure the response time. if the response time is high means that something is compresing the nerve. i had good times. so i might have tendinitis. this started like about a year. but i think it was because i was using dumbells and i might have strained something. yet today it still hurts..
So i created this thread because i feel that something like this is lacking in PC. something related to computer ergonomics and diseases related to the use of computers.
Im doing physiotherapy to my wrists and lower back and was wondering if any of you have the same problems. and if so what do you do when you are on pain.
THe most common disease among artists might be carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis (inflammations of tendons) i know that roscharch had carpal tunnel surguery.
So, how do you have your rig at home and work? do you have like special chairs or soemthing? post pics if you can and talk about your experiences.
I for one have no idea what i have. I did a test to see if i had carpal tunnel( this test where they give you shocks on your nerves thru the help with needles and measure the response time. if the response time is high means that something is compresing the nerve. i had good times. so i might have tendinitis. this started like about a year. but i think it was because i was using dumbells and i might have strained something. yet today it still hurts..
Replies
I am thinking of investing in one of these mice
http://www.evoluent.com/vm3.html
Apart from that, make sure you chair and desk don't completely suck and stop using a mouse for any 2D and 3D work, do everything with your tablet instead.
I lost about half a year because of a pretty bad case of rsi (or whatever it's called now) and the two things above got be back up and continuously productive again. Good luck!
Get an ergonomic keyboard. The Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 is a great choice. I use it at both work and home. Sure, it takes a little time to adjust to it, but once you do, your wrists will thank you.
Make sure your mouse is comfortable in your hand, and that you're not having to bend your wrist to use it. Get a gel-padded pad if you have to, but make sure your wrist stays relatively straight.
I worry about my left wrist in the future. I shattered it into seven pieces skateboarding when I was in highschool, I've had a plate and three screws in there ever since.
I've got a question about the ergonomics keyboard. What actually makes that a better angle for your wrist? I always thought those were just a gimmicky idea to sell keyboards. I didn't know they are actually good.
like. the sizes of them?
hey skullbox what did you have? sintoms and stuff like that? im interested in cases like this so i can compare to muyself.
http://www.csnchairs.com/resources/hermanmiller/aeronchair.asp
I've never been able to wrap my head around using a tablet for 3D Studio Max though... it feels so strange going back and forth between zbrush and max...
"The vast majority of those exercises promote a forward flexed position or compressive/shear force on the spine [Read: not good]. By repeating the same posture in the gym that he was in from 9-5, computer guy WILL produce improper motor patterns that just cause or reinforce all of his problems in the first place!"
It goes into what I've been wanting to research lately, fixing my posture. I'll have to start trying out some of this stuff tomorrow.
i have to pull my spare double bed over as a spare makeshift seat. pretty uncomfy, but my back has held up so far.
only time I had tendonitis in the wrist was in the army from sweeping leaves all day:{
I use a wacom nearly all the time now ,even in max when modelling
I've got a question about the ergonomics keyboard. What actually makes that a better angle for your wrist? I always thought those were just a gimmicky idea to sell keyboards. I didn't know they are actually good.
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I use an ergonomic keyboard. It works on the same principle as the mouse that has been mentioned. If you rotate your hand outwards to it's natural position you aren't twisting your ulna over your radius when you're using your hand muscles. This means your wrist is more relaxed when you operate your keyboard which leads to fewer strain injuries from typing.
The best ergonomic keyboards allow you to adjust the tilt of the keyboard sections to perfectly fit your relaxed hand position because everyone is a little different.
hey skullbox what did you have? sintoms and stuff like that? im interested in cases like this so i can compare to muyself.
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I started feeling it in my right wrist. I was working 12+ hour days for 4 weeks or so straight, which simply was way too much. So I decided to take a break from computer and do some stuff to stimulate the circulation of blood, and decided to fix up my desk, which completely messed up my shoulder - to a point where I couldn't raise my arm at all for a couple of days.
I went to a doctor who sent me to a cesar (or so) therapist, somebody who specialises in this sort of stuff. I got a number of excersizes and tips on how to sit, work and I was continuously stressed to take enough breaks on a regular basis. I was also told that pain in your wrist rarely is just caused by the repetitive movement of the wrist, but mainly the lack of movement in the shoulder which prevents bloodcirculation to the arm and wrist. That's why taking a break regularly and making large movements while at it so important. Even if the pain you feel is mainly in your wrist, the problem probably starts in you lower back and the lack of movement of the arm.
After that it took a while but after a few months my producton speed was back to its normal level. When I work long hours for a consecutive period it still acts up, but I now know how to handle it. Apart from the extremely helpful guidance I got, buying a good tablet was also an extremly important part in recovering. Get at least an A5 size tablet, so your movements will be relatively large, stimulating constant bloodflow to your wrists and especially your shoulders while working.
Since then, I really appreciate working without being in constant pain.
im using only a tablet now. but in max i dont know how to set up the pan/rotate/zoom to work with the tablet. i was used to alt+mmb to rotate. and now i need to go to the arc rotate.
All, Microsoft also has a slightly vertical mouse that they make:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KA7...d=1AQWEX2VMNAAX
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=086
THink im gonna have to switch up how i do things.
i mean. substitute alt+mmb to alt+lmb kinda like maya
becase pressing the mmb strains my wrist like hell
http://www.workrave.org/screenshots/windows/
and its really cool. its sets a timer to go off every 40minutes. then you have to rest for like 10 minutes. they show you exercises to do and stuff. very usefull
and its free
That and it feels like some sort of awesome control panel to rest your hands on. I know that's what a keyboard is, technically, but it sure feels pretty science fictiony
and thanks bitmap, i tend to forget to break regularly, will try that one out.