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dettu
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« on: January 10, 2005, 09:46:27 pm » |
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Help! EEEEEK!
My neck is killing me. I have had problems with my left shoulder off and on for years; recently I had a week where the pain radiated right up into my neck and kept me awake at night. I saw a chiropractor who didn't help and a doctor who prescribed naproxen, which helped a tiny bit but really hurt my stomach so I had to stop taking that. (He also took x-rays which revealed nothing out of the ordinary).
I lift weights, run/walk and use a stationary bike; recently I've laid off the weights to try to rest my neck and shoulders (both shoulders ache now). I would LOVE to get back into my regular exercise before I start gaining weight.
I just feel very tight and sore. So far I have tried sleeping on a concave/wave-shaped pillow, stretching, heat (helps a little) and ice (also helps a little) as well as painkillers, which only help temporarily. At my new workstation I've adjusted my monitor so I don't look up or down and my keyboard so my forearms are level, and at home I'm trying to use my laptop in a good position and to take frequent breaks (I'm a writer and blogger in my off-hours). But still: OW!
I'd welcome advice--thanks.
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laurafmcdermott
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« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2005, 10:27:51 pm » |
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I did some physical and occupational therepy a few years ago for neck/shoulder pain caused by overuse on the keyboard. The OT did some elastic band exercises, which were helpful, and some electric stimulation, which was not. The PT did some stretching of my neck, I laid on a funky table and he would hold my head in certian positions for a while. He also gave me the advice to lay on the floor and put my head on a really thick book (4 to 5 inches) and to stretch my neck that way. I actually use a futon that is pretty low--just put the back of my head on it while lying on the floor and let it "hang" and stretch for 45 seconds or so. That has helped me so much, just doing that once or twice a day. That and making sure to stretch and move my neck and shoulders several times a day--until I started doing this I didn't realize how long I would stay motionless. Also something I have been doing daily that helps is to do shoulder shrugs with dumbbells in my hands. I use 8 pounders and do 2 sets of 25 shrugs.
Oh--and one other thing I have done was to switch my mouse to the other hand. It took a few days to get used to, but was fine after that and helps to take the pressure off my right hand, which used to do the mouse, number pad plus typing.
Hope that helps some! That kind of pain is awful, especially when it starts to affect you outside of work.
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sobriquetnic
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« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2005, 10:42:35 pm » |
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Hi there
Do you use the telephone a lot? One of my colleagues has recently swapped to a headset instead of doing what I always do and balancing the telephone between her ear and her shoulder and it has really improved the way her neck feels.
Whilst I appreciate that headsets can be expensive, we managed to get one from an online company for about £60.00 and it's proving to be pretty good. Let me know if you would like the details.
All the best,
Nicola.
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raindance
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« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2005, 11:12:33 am » |
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I had a similar condition a few years ago, so you have my sympathy! A combination of things helped me: lots of massage and risk assessment of my workstation resulting in nice new chair, fully adjustable monitor and ergonomic keyboard. I now carry as little as possible in my handbag and tend to use a backpack to carry all my bits and pieces to work.
Wish you better soon.
Raindance
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jane10
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« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2005, 01:23:47 pm » |
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I had 'frozen shoulder' for several years and one of the things that helped me was getting a cordless mouse and keyboard enabling me to position them where I wanted rather than holding my arms at an awkard angle.
Good luck.
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dettu
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« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2005, 02:53:22 pm » |
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I'd like to see those exercises! That might be good too...thanks.
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dettu
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« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2005, 02:55:42 pm » |
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I had a lovely professional massage two days ago and that really helped. I also am trying to be more conscious of where my keyboard is; at the moment I don't mouse that much so it's probably not a concern. At home, I'm trying to do longer projects on my husband's desktop rather than on my laptop, since with the laptop I'm either looking down a little or I have my hands too high.
I may have to move around the stuff on my desk at work again to lower my monitor, but I hope not, because I like where it is.
Thanks, everyone, for your ideas.
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