Test - are you developing computer ailments??? Options

[steel]

I went to see a new doc for my shoulder tendonitis and carpal tunnel today. Unfortunately, he too refused to treat me unless I claim it as a work-related injury, which I refuse to do (long story, details upon request).



But what I wanted to share with ya'll is that he did give me two simple tests to see if my shoulder trouble was computer-related. I thought ya'll might want to try these as "the home version," lol.



1. Stand near a wall but not touching it. Make the best posture you possibly can. Now inch backwards until your first body part, or parts, touch the wall. Remember what touched.



2. Now, step away from the wall, still with the most correct posture you can muster. Standing perfectly still, look down at the position of your two hands.



Here are the results. Look at these only after you've taken the test.



When we inch up against that wall, our head, shoulders, and butt should touch at the same time. If only our butt touches first, then we have developed computer slouch and have or are headed for trouble.



On the test to look down at the position of our hands, both thumbs should have been straight forward. Any thumb that pointed inward towards our bodies means our bodies have developed a shoulder slouch and we are or are headed for pain and trouble.



In my case, I failed both tests. My butt touched first, and my right hand's thumb pointed inward. The doc gave me some exercises to do to get my natural posture back and told me to raise my monitor and make sure I'm not reaching down for my keyboard or mouse (that reaching down encourages slumped shoulders, ergo stressed tendons). He told me that I should always have my head up and shoulders back at my computer, and perhaps it will get better over time. He also told me... yada, yada, to limit my computer use, take a break every 30 minutes, and continue mousing with my left hand or hopefully give up mousing completely for a trackball in my left hand, and that computer gaming is simply out forever for me. ARGH!!



Anyway, thought ya'll might like to take the tests.

[Genocide Junkie]

My butt sticks out about a foot past anything else...... no doubt what will hit first

Junkie

[sironyx]

You mean I have to get up???