Home and Work Ergonomics
 

In another thread, I promised to share photos and information about the adjustments made to my work and home working environments to help accomodate my TOS issues.

I'm placing this in this thread to invite contributions from others too. I'd love to see other's set-ups and comments on their use.

So lets go first, any questions please ask!

Work Environment

# I had the help of a Occupational Health Nurse who had some familiarity with TOS, to set up this environment
# I trialled alternative pointing devices, including the 3m Ergonomic Mouse and the Vertical Mouse, but found that placing my forearm and wrist in a neutral handshake position, whilst almost certainly "good", irritated my ulnar nerve
# I have tried but disliked using a Microsoft Natural Keyboard
# The chair is fantastic, fully height, tilt, depth, lumbar support and head support adjustable

http://img858.imageshack.us/img858/5384/workstation.jpg

Home Environment

Plan "A" is to replicate my work environment here, and I've made progress towards that
Plan "B" is more radical, see below

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9294/homestation1.jpg

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/9...efootstool.jpg

Home Environment Plan "B"

<Pictures Incoming>

I am considering using an Ekornes Stressless reclining chair in conjunction with a height adjustable desk with a low minimum height and a lightweight lap board/table for keyboard and mouse in order that I can sit in a gentle reclined position with my arms resting on padded surfaces whilst using the computer (I have a regular office job, but can work from home quite often)

The inspiration for this idea came from someone else on the internet, who had designed a similar set up with a La-Z-boy recliner.

I always need something to rest my arms, any reason that you do not use the arm rest,. I LUV the foot rest, is there a link. That is so critical for any back problems when working ,
Thanks
di

chair looks comfy

reminds me that my lcd is too low

I find resting my elbows on anything harder than a pillow inflames my ulnar nerve, so arm-rests are out. The T-Riders you see in the picture provide a rest for my forearms which has the effect of taking the load of my upper arms and shoulders without involving the elbow area. I've also considered getting some Ergo-Rests which would do the same job but allow more movement..

The footstool I have a home is a great one. It is also, I'm afraid, a product that I think is not distributed globally. I've only ever seen it available from Dutch retailers, such as this one. It is also very pricey new (about 200 USD) but I got mine second hand for about 30 USD

[QUOTE=BKRich;757932]I find resting my elbows on anything harder than a pillow inflames my ulnar nerve, so arm-rests are out. The T-Riders you see in the picture provide a rest for my forearms which has the effect of taking the load of my upper arms and shoulders without involving the elbow area.

Ok, Im a little slow at figuring things out on my own, but you just explained my problem. I got the exact same thing...I have a chair I use at home for resting that has soft arm rests, and it doesnt bother me. Anything harder, and yea it all inflames..
Great picutures and advise for people. Again any way in which we can avoid surgical intervention is great. I have been at this along time, but there is still so much I dont know....of course, neither do the doctors. lol.
Cheers,
Jay

I too have used the Ergo-Rest for articulating arm supports. Couldn't have done my job without it.

I just recently pulled them off my desk again. You have to do that every once in a while to see where you're at. This makes about the 5th time. I'll go as long as I can, longer each time, but usually will put the left one back and then a little later, the right one. it's normal to do this. I've learned you do have to wean yourself off of any aid you're used to. :wink:

I'm glad I found them but they're aggravating too.

Nothing works like the REAL THING, BABY!!!! :cool:


I also use a long dressing mirror at the side of my workstation as a POSTURE POLICE ! ! ! !

I can't recommend these enough. They are wonderful.

So two endorsements for Ergorests. Emmie and BrokenWings, may I please check to confirm that we are talking about these things?

http://www.east-west.com.au/docs/ergo_rest_ar.jpg

that's it, only mine are black...

I have two :D right and left.

if you need them, once you get them, you won't know how you lived wthout them. and they can get in the way sometimes too.

Yes, that's exactly what I have. They will change your life. :winky:

Seriously, they are great, and really well made. You can totally relax your neck and shoulders, and just give the weight of your arms to the arm rests.

They are on sale at Amazon for $75 each, that's actually a pretty good price for them (I paid a bit more). Mine are still perfect after about 7 years of use.

Thanks Emmie and Brokenwings, I will get a pair of these Ergorests. They already had appeal and I was considering trying them out, but your positive experience with them is the encouragement I needed :)

I got a pair of Ergo-rests, and boy, yes, they are great.:D

I can mouse & keyboard and remove load from my shoulders and traps without irritating my ulnar nerve. Also, compared to my previous Ergocloud/TC Rider thingy, I can now keep my arms and shoulders mobile and the shoulder back rather than drawn forward.

I was lucky enough to get a pair for 160 USD. In the UK, where I now live, they retail at over 100 GBP (160) each normally. I bought an un-used but second-hand pair via eBay.

Thank you for sharing those pictures. I have done a lot to try and improve my ergonomic situation as I am dealing with the early onset of this syndrome. My question and perhaps this is a difficult one… Is how much computer work you realistically do per day. I have the beginning stages of TOS and am interested in improving and or eliminating my symptoms. I have found improvement doing some PT, but I want to make sure my career will not force my symptoms return and/or worsen. My fear and irrational thought just to quit my job and never touch a computer again. But that is obviously unrealistic, and physical therapy is not cheap. So I have no choice but to work and I'm hoping to find a way to continue doing it.

I have bilateral symptoms though they are manageable. But I make my living at a computer and am concerned about being able to work despite having this issue. My workstation is very ergonomically set up, but I realize that reducing my amount behind the screen will ultimately help too.

On average, how often are you taking breaks? And during those breaks, what are you doing? I have been doing scalene stretches as well as back and shoulder stretches to try and get my shoulders loose.

Hey,

Sounds like you're trying very hard to keep it going.

I have managed to keep it going, but it's been painful.

I found the LED and infrared light therapy pads to be most relieving. They're amazing for me, my TOS and neck and back symptoms. I couldn't do what I do now without them. Please do look into them and consider trying to them. Lots of medical providers offer them these days. Chirpractors, PT, massage theapist. Check around in your area.

Here's the link to where I bought mine at. Loved them so much I wanted to start a business but I don't have the time to devote to it. They're also a little expensive. To me, they're worth it.

Check out Edna's site. http://www.healthlightz.com/

BTW: Keyboarding is an irritant to TOS/scalene/pec and neck problems.

I feel your pain. I've been where you're at. I had to work to pay for PT and medical care and tests. Work caused my symptoms to be worse. Yes, it was that way.

I lived through 7 1/2 years of hell and have been fighting my way to here since hell became humanly tolerable. I've tried so many things. I bought so many things trying to get relief or aid.

It's been rough. Wouldn't want to do it again.

I can tell you the lights helped me more than anything else. It's also a home unit so I can use it at my convinence and in the privacy of my home. Do consider them.

You're welcome to read my postings... warning some are very long. I've been very open here, just trying to help others and get help. I have been able to help others and I have been helped in so many ways by being a member of NT. It certainly is part of my recovery too.

You're not alone. We do understand.

Keep asking questions and don't give up. It's a tough diagnosis to live and work with.

Hello 343,

Leading up to the peak of my symptoms and diagnosis, I was spending upwards of 10 hours per day using a desk computer
I reduced this to a maximum of about 6 hours per day following diagnosis, albeit without any specific direction to do so from the medical professionals I consulted with

I too had and have bilateral symptoms. I have no explanation, beyond plausible theories, of the cause which meant that I do not have certainty that any particular activity should be avoided or modified. I also was fearful that, should my symptoms get worse, that I would be unable to continue doing my desk-based job, or pursue my career which consists of desk-based jobs.

I am delighted to have experienced relief of my symptoms, short of full recovery, and am able to continue working at least. I cannot say that my relief has been as a result of actions taken because I have no way of establishing causation, but two of those actions were to modify the way I used a computer, and also to reduce to an essential minimum the time I spent working at one.

As for breaks, I take breaks of at least 15 minutes 4 times per day and during these breaks proceed through a sequence of mobility exercises consisting of stretches, postural correction and nerve glides for the brachial plexus and ulnar nerves. All the physios I have worked with have recommended being as mobile as possible, and not sitting in a static position for extended periods (such as one does when using a computer). I also take far shorter breaks every half hour, during which I’ll just move around. These breaks are additional to a lunch break.