I Blame My iPad

To say that I have not published in a while would be a gross understatement. I haven't published since November and really had to push myself to jump back on the horse, so to speak. I've been thinking about my blogging the whole five months.

I could blame the holidays and a slow start. I could blame laziness. I could blame the increase in migraines I have experiencing or the depression it causes. But I'm not going to do that. I am going to blame my iPad.
I bought my iPad at the beginning of November. I used the excuse that the price was right and they would be harder to find for Christmas because of the demand. My wife went for it. And, that's the criteria that really was the most important.

I love it!

I read more. I know what the weather will be. I'm up to date with the sports news and every day goings on. I have my bible right there. I read more. I've really been devouring the best sellers list. These tasks and apps that are available allow me to do so much more. But there is a negative. The lack of a tactile keyboard is really bothering me. It's hard enough logging into web sites and entering passwords when you can feel the keys. Especially when you type as poorly as I do. I can type. Don't get me wrong. I know how to type. But, my speed and accuracy leave a lot to be desired. The iPad has been in the way of blogging.

I am recommitting myself to publishing my blog on a regular basis. I intend to see how the Bluetooth keyboard available for the tablet, allows me to do this. But if it doesn't, I plan to spend more time with my iMac. It's missed me terribly.

So, come back. Stay with me. Give me input on my posts. And, if you feel so inclined ;) tell others about it.
I appreciate you.

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Migraine Sufferers Should Practice Safe Computing

Work Zones On Your Desk
http://www.osha.gov

It is important for pain sufferers to practice safe computing. Using your computer with improper posture, incorrect keyboard and monitor setup, or even the wrong type of chair, can cause pain and stress to anyone, especially a chronic pain or migraine sufferer. If you are a chronic pain sufferer and a blogger it is especially important to make sure that your blogging does not contribute to your torment.

Everyone should make their work setting as comfortable as possible. Many times our bodies will trick us, make us feel like we are comfortable, when we really are not. This is why computer users get sore necks, back pain, eye strain, and carpel tunnel. These things can take time to develop in normal people, but suffering from chronic pain is anything but normal.

Most of us buy our computer furniture based on price or looks, but not ergonomics. It's important to remember that standard furniture cannot accommodate the needs of everyone. If you are taller, you may need to have your work surface raised somewhat; a shorter person may need a footrest.

The desktop work surface should have a matte finish to minimize glare or reflections. If a fixed-height desk is used, add a keyboard tray that adjusts vertically to provide added adaptability. Desk surfaces that are too high or too low may lead to awkward postures, such as extended arms to reach the keyboard, and raised shoulders. Limited space on the work surface may cause users to place components and devices in undesirable positions. This placement may lead to awkward postures as you reach for a pointer/mouse or look at a monitor that is placed to the side. Always align the monitor so that it is at distance of at least 20 inches (50 cm) and right in front of you to have the best viewing angle.

The area beneath the desk should be clean and tidy to provide the user’s legs with plenty of room and allow for stretching. Clearance for the legs, under the desktop, should generally be between 20-28 inches (50-72 cm) high and 24 inches (61cm)in depth.

If you share the work area with others, go ahead and spring for adjustable furniture. This information is not all inclusive of changes you can make to prevent your computing area from hurting you. You should go to http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/ to view all of the recommended workstation configuration. The pain you save may be your own.

 

Reduce Eyestrain While Blogging

Wow, sorry for the interruption in these posts. My service provider went down and I am only now getting back online. This has disrupted my life more than anything other than an electrical outage.

Eyestrain can be a big problem, when working on your computer for long periods of time. It is important for me, a migraine sufferer, to be careful and not cause any more problems than I already have. My light sensitivity means that I REALLY have to be careful.

Use the following recommendations to reduce eyestrain and eye fatigue:

• Close drapes/blinds to reduce glare.
• Adjust lighting to avoid glare on screen (light source should come at a 90 degree angle, with low watt lights rather than high).
• Avoid intense or uneven lighting in your field of vision.
• Place monitor at 90 degree angle to windows (where possible).
• Reduce overhead lighting (where possible).
• Use indirect or shielded lighting where possible.
• Walls should not be painted with a reflective finish.
• Use a glare screen or monitor shield to reduce glare from overhead lighting.

Is Your Computer Monitor Causing You Pain?

There are an infinite number of ways that we can cause ourselves pain. For a chronic pain sufferer there may be more. :)

I have enough pain in my life, that I try to avoid potential migraine triggers as much as possible. It is possible that my blogging can contribute to my migraines. I find myself working from the couch with the laptop on my lap (go figure), with my wrists sore from the keying angle, and squinting because of a glare on the computer screen. I purposely bought my laptop without the glossy screen to cut down glare, but glare I have. Working from my desk after adjusting the chair, and arranging the desktop is making a huge difference in my back and shoulder pain. Now it's time to tackle the monitor setup.

Once the chair and work surface height are properly adjusted, the computer monitor should be placed so the top of the screen is at or just below eye level when seated in an upright position. This is difficult for me to do with my laptop. If it is in my lap, it's too low. If it's on the table top, it's too low. Having the monitor too low (or too high) may cause eye and neck strain.

The following suggestions can help prevent the development of eye strain, neck pain and shoulder fatigue while using your computer workstation:

• Make sure the surface of the viewing screen is clean.
• Adjust brightness and contrast to optimum comfort.
• Position the monitor directly in front of you to avoid excessive twisting of the neck.
• You must position the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance, approximately 18-30 inches from your torso.
• Position your monitor at a right angle from windows to reduce glare. Close the window blinds or curtains as needed to reduce glare from sunlight.
• Position your monitor away from direct lighting which creates excessive glare or use a glare filter over the monitor to reduce glare.
• Adjust the monitor tilt so that ceiling lights do not reflect on your screen.
• If you use a document holder, it should be placed at approximately the same height as the monitor and at the same distance from the eyes to prevent frequent eye shifts between the monitor screen and reference materials.
• Get regular eye check-ups.
• Adjust these height and distance guidelines as needed for larger screens. You may need to sit farther away and increase the font size to take full advantage of a larger screen.

Bifocal and trifocal wearers have to pay particular attention to the placement of their monitor. Wearers of bifocals and trifocals often unknowingly tilt their heads backwards so they can read the screen through the lower portion of their glasses. This can sometimes lead to neck, shoulder, and back discomfort. Potential solutions include either lowering the computer monitor or purchasing glasses designed specifically for working at the computer.

I hope these help you as much as they have helped me.

5 Ways to Avoid Computing Pain

Avoiding neck, back, arm and wrist pain is important when spending time at your computer. Keeping a clean work environment is one of those things that can help your mood as well as your aches and pains. Many of us are guilty of building up a mess on our desk. Not having to work around objects, paper, books and other stuff makes it easier to prevent repetitive stress injuries.

I am probably as criminal as anyone for not following these simple rules.

1. Your desktop should be organized so that frequently used objects are closer to you to avoid excessive extended reaching.
2. Use a headset or speaker phone to avoid neck and shoulder discomfort if you use a phone frequently throughout the day.
3. Place the phone on the side of your non-dominant hand (i.e., left side if right-handed, right side if left-handed)
4. Position your desk lamp (if you use one) so that it illuminates source documents without causing either glare on the computer screen or direct illumination to your eyes.
5. Use a document holder if you refer to documents while computing. The document holder should:

• Be stable and adjustable (height, position, distance, and angle of view).
• Support your document on either side of the monitor.
• Be at the same distance from your eyes as the display screen to avoid frequent changes of focus and you should be able you to look from one to the other without moving your neck or back.

Reduce Keyboarding Stresses While Blogging

Many ergonomic problems associated with computing occur in the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Continuous work on the computer can expose soft tissue in these areas to repetition, awkward postures, and forceful exertions, especially if the workstation is not set up properly. These can contribute or lead to chronic pain.

The following adjustments should be made to your computing area to help prevent the development of an ergonomic problems:

• First adjust your chair as mentioned before, then with your arms resting comfortably at your side, raise your forearms to form a 90 degree angle with your upper arms.
• Adjust keyboard height so your shoulders can relax and allow your upper arms to rest at your sides. An articulating keyboard tray is often necessary to accommodate the proper height and distance for each station user.
• You should position the keyboard directly in front of and close to you in order to avoid excessive reaching.
• Keep your forearms parallel to the floor (approximately 90 degree angle at elbow).
• Place your mouse adjacent to keyboard and at the same height as the keyboard. The back of the wrist should be kept flat (in a neutral position). Do not rest the hand on the mouse when your are not using it. Rest your hands in your lap when you are not keyboarding or using the mouse.
• Use a padded wrist rest to keep your wrist in a straight and neutral position while typing and keep your arms off the sharp edges of the work surface.
• Do not rest your wrists or hands on a palm or wrist rest when you are keying. These rests are designed to provide support only during breaks from keying.
• Adjust the slope of the keyboard so that it is flat, in order to keep your wrists straight, and not bent back while you are typing.
• Press the keys gently; do not bang them or hold them down for long periods. Keep your shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers relaxed

If your work surface is too high and not adjustable, adjust your chair to bring your arms to
the proper position. If you raise your chair, make sure that your feet are properly
supported. These tips and others provided in this blog series will help you prevent chronic
pain due to computing.