Jules. Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I've been having really bad pains in my joints for about 6 months now. If I carry shopping bags my elbow joints are really hard to bend after being straight, so much so that I can't carry anything in my left hand. (I'm left handed) Another time it really hurts is when I take plates from the drainer & put them into the cupboard- the twisting action really hurts. Maybe I'm just getting old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Is it just your elbows Hon? I get that on my left side, exactly the same.. caused by a prolapsed disc in my neck after being passenger in a car accident 20 years ago. The Osteopath pops it back in for me periodically. What do you mean.. old age!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 I just feel old today, Clare I think my posture has alot to do with it When I get up from my computer chair I walk like my Nanna- doubled over fof the first few steps. I had really bad shoulder pain when I was pregnant with Ethan, had some physio on it & that turned out to be my posture at work. I had to put my feet on a telephone directory to align my spine ! I get pain in my right shoulder from using the mouse, & I do think work isn't helping. I really noticed the aches in my body from work having been off work for 7 weeks . I have mentioned this to my manager- I had the annual risk assessment form to sign this week. He knows I as going to the Dr's this week, so we'll wait & see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Good luck. Maybe a bit of physio would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Sounds like you might benefit from a work station assessment (H&S hat on here) and some classes - Alexander technique or Pilates to sort out your posture. I tend to slouch sometimes too, but having danced most of my youth, I try to stand correctly Doesn't always work though Tell you what - I'll poke you when you stand badly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Could you poke me too please my posture is terrible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Sorry to hear about your aches and pains Jules. I've found that a lot of these are related to people doing the type of job where you have to sit all day with very little opportunity to get up and walk around. If you have that kind of job you do need to balance it with some form of exercise to keep your muscles and joints flexible and lubricated. Hope your Doc can identify the cause, and I would certainly agree with Claret about taking up some form of pilates type exercise, if appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 I do sit down at work, and at home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I have strange elbows which twist so that they are the wrong way around - & if I have been carrying a lot of heavy shopping,they are really painful afterwards. I can't bend them,like Jules. I have had anti inflammatory pills for them, & they worked a bit,but not a lot. I just try & get someone else to carry my bags for me these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 I've been diagnosed with tennis elbow. Got some anti-inflamatories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 poor you. I hope they help. Er - am I missing something here, you said you are left-handed, but you get pain in your right shoulder from using the mouse? Do you use it on the 'wrong' side? I had wrist pain, and so the H&S lady at work came round, and her first tip was to swop the mouse over halfway through the day and use it with my left hand (I'm right-handed). She also got me a wrist support. It has helped a lot, it's really easy to swop the buttons over on the computer, and it stops other people using my desk when they are not there 'cos they don't know how Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 I use my right hand for the mouse ( I also pour a kettle & 'play' golf right handed) I'm convinced alot of my aches are posture- I'm going to ask my manager if I can be assessed at work. I'm so short I have to "jump" onto my chair at the counter at work, & drag myself forward on my elbows. When I get off the chair for whatever reason customers are always shocked at how little I am when I am not sat on my big high chair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 definately sounds like you need a work station assessment. Will your employers help with special chairs, keyboards, mouse etc? I know they are supposed to but that doesn't always mean they will. Sometimes you need the whole package as one thing on its own is not effective. Last year I used to work 7+ hours a day on the computer and like you, I could hardly move when I got up. I left and took 3 months off in the summer and although I was doing some really serious heavy digging and landscaping in the garden I felt fantastic. Now I am back at work and although I am doing just 4 and half hours a day I can feel the strain on neck, back, wrists etc. but not nearly as bad as before. I have also gone completely dairy free to help solve another problem and I am sure that has also helped ease my joints, as for years I have had a big problem with my ankles after a day in the garden but now I just have a bit of a twinge. Galloping senility is what my mother used to call it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 I work for a big global company Rona so I'm sure they will help me out here. I'm due my annual appraisal next week so I'll chat to my manager then. He already knows I was going to see the Dr this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 you definitely need to take that up with work - they should (quite rightly) be very worried about a potential claim for a work-related injury! We have modular workstation/desks at work, but one chap who is about 6'4" has had a specially raised desk because it was too low for him to work at. They ought to be able to accommodate you. I strongly recommend Alexander Technique, it's done wonders for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I have the same sort of problem as Jules and have a footrest and screen lift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I find using the mouse hurts the back of my hand, but using a pen and graphics tablet is just fine! I use it for everything I used to use the mouse for now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I find using the mouse hurts the back of my hand, but using a pen and graphics tablet is just fine! I use it for everything I used to use the mouse for now! So does Phil, Kannie, in fact he finds it hard to use a mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 The pen is much quicker and more intuitive. Its just a real nuisance when you have to use someone else's computer, and they only have a mouse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 You know you really should stop playing so much tennis hope the pills do their job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
