🚀 go-pugleaf

bjz@sei.cmu.edu (Barbara Zayas) writes:


>I've been having a lot (LOT) of problems with my right
>shoulder.  I'm certain that it's attributed to use of the
>mouse.  I have to use the mouse SO often -- an even split a
>lot of times between it and the keyboard -- that I developed
>the habit of keeping my right arm extended over the mouse
>whenever I wasn't typing.

(rest of story deleted)

One suggestion my Physical Therapist made was to somehow
arrange to have your mouse at the same height as your keyboard.
Many people who have RSI problems put their keyboard on a tray,
but leave the mouse up on the desk. This can cause repetitive
strain reaching for the mouse all the time. I fixed this by
extending my keyboard tray with a piece of scrap metal which goes
under the keyboard, cantilevering the mouse off the end of the
keyboard tray. You should be able to reach for the mouse
by arcing your hand over from the keyboard, with no additional
reach.

You could also investigate whether the system you use has some
kind of mouseless option for the window-system.

Until you get this fixed, you can also help the problem by stretching
your shoulder every 30 minutes or so, take frequent breaks,
and ice the shoulder every night, whether it hurts or not.

Good luck.
--

-deborah gronke bennett (WD5HJH)	deborah@eng.sun.com
device drivers and kernel port engineer
Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation