Wrecked Wrist, Welcomes, and Links Oh My!
- August 19, 2008 by Fox | Comments: 15
I did it again. I went and wrecked my wrist. I’ve spent nearly a decade now battling inflammation of the dreaded carpal tunnel. I blame poor posture, bad equipment, and a plethora of hours spent typing at a keyboard. It’s not natural, sitting at a computer all day pressing little keys. If nature had intended we type for survival, then we would have been born with baby sized laptops. Oh our poor mothers. I digress.
While my ibuprofen is still working strong, I’d love to welcome all new Squawkfox subscribers. Be sure to jump in and comment on any and all posts. This blog is a growing community and I love hearing from you (whether you agree with a particular post or not). Also, don’t forget to download your free copy of the 55-page eBook: Frugal Food & Fitness. If you need help downloading, just shoot me an email at squawkfox [at] gmail [dot] com
Personal Finance Network
My friends in the Personal Finance Network have been busy writing merrily away!
- Clever Dude: writes Getting a car without earning it and Riches do not Equal Prosperity.
- Money Ning: writes Stop Worrying about your Finances and Confessions of a Dollar Bill.
- Canadian Capitalist: writes In investing, as in life, flexibility is the key and Getting your wills done through a lawyer.
- Quest For Four Pillars: writes Being Unusual and Dividend Dates.
- Blunt Money: writes Crazy Receipts and Turns Two!
eBook Reviews
I’m beyond thrilled a few fellow bloggers have taken to my eBook by writing some rave reviews! A huge thank you to Hayden and Ryan for sharing their blog space to mention my eBookness. If you can stand my shameless self promotion, then here are their reviews:
- Hayden Tompkins @Persistent Illusion says, “I do believe I would call this fabulous!” (source)
- Ryan Suenaga @Uncommon Cents says, “Squawkfox does a great job of taking some very basic needs–food and exercise–and making them seem easy and fun for people to take on, as well as frugal.” (source)
Crazy Carnivals
I’ve participated in a few carnivals and festivals over the last while, here’s where you can find them!
Festival of Frugality:
- Money Ning: I’m an Editor’s Pick in The First Principles Edition. Thanks David!
- Our Four Pence Worth: Michael Phelps Edition.
Carnival of Personal Finance:
- No Debt Plan: College Football Edition.
- Everyday Finance: Commodities Edition.
I cringe to see my nasty wrist brace photographed for all to see. But honestly, a repetitive wrist injury is no pretty photo op matter. So now I must go ice my carpal tunnel and do some wrist strengthening exercises. Gaw, I must win the wrecked wrist battle. Wish me luck! 
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Comments:
Awww, so sorry to hear about the wrist. Hope it heals quickly. Congrats on the good reviews!
Bummer about your wrist :-(. When I read “I did it again.” Britney Spears started playing in my head…
@Soultravelers3 Thank you!
@Mr.Cheap Oops. That’s unfortunate.
Been there too, Squakfox. Just two weeks ago actually and I’m also rocking some braces. An occupational hazard of blogging I guess. Take care of yourself!
Hi Squawkfox! I just started reading thanks to… uh… I don’t remember. But either way, your light-hearted tone struck me immediately, and your accomplishments lend credence to what you write, and I’m a subscriber now.
Sorry to hear about the wrist. If you need another brace, I can recommend http://www.benik.com. My mom has used their products successfully.
Random tip. I had a friend who suffered badly from CT and about a month before she was scheduled for surgery someone suggested that she take a B12 supplement. She noticed great improvement and didn’t end up having to go for surgery. Worth a try I guess.
Fellow sufferer…
It made all the difference in the world when I elevated the palm of my hand while typing and mousing.
I use one of those rubber/foam keyboard pads, and raise it another 1/2 inch or so.
For the mouse, I keep a 6x folded washcloth at the base and set the base of my palm on it. By having the wrist straighter, rather than angled, it lessens the irritation.
Also - sleep with the wrist straight by use of pillow support, etc… ackward, but worth the effort.
Good luck with it all!
Hi Squakfox. Thanks for the great blog. I thoroughly enjoy it!
I have carpel tunnel and tendonitis currently as well. As a graphic designer and sometimes computer programmer my work is prone to this.
In addition, I’m always surfing the web on my free time to find out new web trends, get inspired, read articles.
This has cause a bit of a shift in my mode of operating and here is some little discussed facts that I learned:
Even if the repetitive motions, bad posture is key, and lack of ergonomic equipment are a problem:
THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF INJURY IS DUE TO DEHYDRATION, STRESS, AND LACK OF VITAMINS!
When we are working away many times its on deadline, we’re stressed, etc. We’ve had our 5th cup of coffee for the day and its 6pm.
We are gittery because the coffee has drained our system of nutrients, we probably havent eaten well if any, and daily vitamins- Huh, WHATS THAT?
And of course we havent been replenishing with the neccessary amount of water, even though we might be drinking some water moderately.
The coffee we have in our hands has way too much sugar, because we cant taste it by now, and the coffee doesn’t seem as smooth as the first cup that morning. And our taste buds are messed up, we dont realize how much salt or sodium we’ve eaten.
MY DEAR-DIABETES AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE ARE NOT THE LACK OF SUGAR IN THE BODY, ITS THE BODY’S LACK OF ABILITY TO ABSORB THE AMOUNT ITS FACED WITH, DOWN TO THE INDIVIDUAL CELLS.
What are the effects?
Well our bodies, muscle and tendons etc need to be lubricated to work well. Healthy also.
If we are depleting the nutrients with coffee, completely dehydrating our bodies, eating salt and sugars, and not taking AT LEAST our vitamins, we are causing our muscles to become inflamed, dry and sticky.
They then stick to each other- which cause them to work in unison, instead of a part as intended. Which means they are always working, are always tight, and NEVER rest. What wouldnt break down with that kind of abuse!
So do this-
Get your rest- as much as you can, and that usually more than we think.
Before you have a cup of coffee have a designer whey protein shake, or some type of vitamins(vitamin water doesnt count its mostly sugar- try emergenC).
This way you will make your body absorb less nutrients from the shake/liquid vitamin. Instead of totally depleting and then replenishing whats left in your system. Aside from giving you an energy boost.
Try to substitute a few cups of coffee for a strong multivitamin. I take one called Alive, but take 1/3 of the prescribed dose a day. Im not sure anyone semi healthy needs 3000% of vitamin C a day.
Have a vitamin in the morning, or mid morning it will kick in the afternoon- in time for the 3pm slump.
Eating a shake for lunch also helps with the energy issue. Im not the type who can only live off of protein shakes- I like the actually solid foods best, but I use this process on days I over do it on the coffee.
And save your lunch for/or order a no later than 6pm good size dinner. If you are going out to dinner eat something big at 6pm, and snack later while at dinner. Better for you, and you save money too.
When you’ve had a lot of coffee, lay off the sugar and salt. Regardless if you can take it/taste it, or not.
If you absolutely need it sweet go to a health food store or go to http://vitaminshoppe.com and order some Stevia or Xylitol- which sweets but lowers you blood sugar at the same time and it doesnt harm your teeth cause its natural. Its expensive, but it last forever. It tastes good too.
And in vest in a good mouse, like this vertical one(they have left and right hand versions):
http://evoluent.com/vm3.html
Take mini breaks. If you resist this- get a software program like RSI Guard that locks your keyboard every so often and insists you take 3-5 minute breaks. Then gives you little videos, with exercises to do that REALLY work. You can program the length, time between breaks, and skip it at times you seriously cant allow yourself a break.
Get a night splint that you can wear regularly. I love the IMAK Smart Glove PM which keeps my hand mobilized AND MY FINGERS STRAIGHT WITH OUT STRETCHING THEM. Otherwise habit will having me curling my fingers, which is not resting the muscles and tendons.
But by all means, if you have a hectic lifestyle, especially if you live in a big city, or you drink even moderately- OVER HYDRATE AND TAKE YOUR VITAMINS.
Its one of the biggest culprits in many of the most serious diseases. And the rates are rising. If you are under 35, and thinking about having kids- NO AMOUNT OF PRENATAL VITAMINS CAN RESTOCK IN YOU WHAT YOUR BABY WILL NEED. Those vitamins are for them- assumed you have enough for you!
Get it? Go get some now! Game on!
-Aline
Great work you have going! Sorry bout the writst, just shows how much time you are putting in with this stuff! Get better!
Thanks for the link. Bummer about your wrist. Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for mentioning the dividend post and I hope the wrist gets better!
Mike
I go back and forth with my braces. Some weeks I don’t need them some I do. Not just typing for me, but lots of flipping books at work, simply checking them in can cause wrist problems.
I hope your wrist gets better, much better soon.
All of us need you in top form to keep educating us in your own
unique way.
Best regards
I know what you mean!!
Computer induced injury!!
I agree with you, it probably has to do with bad posture (in my own case too). I really think humans weren’t created to sit down all day long!
I’ve got a pain that starts in my knees every now and then if I spend too much time working.
Amazingly it is solved by just regularly getting up and doing some exercise - simple stuff.
Hope your wrist gets better soon Fox!
Francois