Injury Prevention Tips for Musicians
Playing an instrument is physically demanding and practice and performing often require many hours a day in stressful positions. It is important that all musicians listen not only to the music but to their own bodies.
Top Computer Ergonomic Devices
Here are some of the most popular and well-regarded products for ergonomically using your computer and electronic devices ... mice, keyboards, tablets, and more!
Top 10 Ergonomic Upgrades for Your Workspace
Here are some good suggestions for setting up your computer workstation for optimum ergonomics. Give 'em a try so you don't end up like that fellow in the illustration!
My New Nemesis: Plants vs. Zombies
I have a weakness for video games, and the latest one that's grabbed hold of my imagination is "Plants vs. Zombies", an incredibly addictive strategy game. But it requires a LOT of point-and-click action. So fair warning: If you have problems with your hands, stay away from Plants vs. Zombies.
Wore Out My IMAK Smart Glove
This is a review of the IMAK SmartGlove, a glove-like device with a built-in wrist rest, and a similar product called the Computer Glove. Both are highly recommended.
The May-June 2005 issue of Arthritis Today reports on a noninvasive laser stimulation, which uses low-level (cold) laser beams focussed on pain points inthe wrist and hand. The technique is said to promote cell repair and reduce inflammation related to carpal tunnel syndrome. This technique is called “Low-Level Laser Therapy” …
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This is a bit of an old link, but I just found it so it’s new to me. Jon Udell, a comumnist for InfoWorld magazine provides a demonstration of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 in action. He captured a short screen video of himself actually using Dragon to dictate a column. It’s …
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I’m in the market for a new ergonomic keyboard, and picked up the Microsoft Optical Desktop Pro, a package containing Microsoft’s Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer 2.0 and the Microsoft Wireless Natural Multimedia Keyboard – their top-of-the-line ergonomic combo. I’ve used a Microsoft Optical Mouse Blue for nearly two years, and liked …
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Andrew Savikas has written an excellent article on RSI (A Quest for Comfort). In it he details his search for information on RSI, first on the Internet, then in a book (It’s not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals). I’ve seen that book mentioned on numerous …
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An article in the Miami Herald (When Sonatas Strike Back) discusses Repetitive Strain Injuries that can affect classical musicians, listing some pieces that are especially stressful on the players. These “killer tunes” include Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, Ravel’s Bolero, Handel’s Messiah, and works by Tchaikovsky and John Adams. The article includes …
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Naomi Aoki, a writer for the Boston Globe, in search of relief for her carpal-tunnel syndrome, recently tested two voice-recognition programs and posted her results at boston.com. She reports numerous problems with IBM’s ViaVoice 9.1 Pro, but was pleasantly surprised with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 Preferred. “I picked up a Boston …
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A company called ChestRest has come up with an interesting twist on the standard mouse pad. Featuring anime-inspired artwork and two strategically-placed wrist-rests, this ergonomic mouse pad “supports the wrist by the valley between two gelatin mounds”. Until inventory runs out, 100% of the profit from these products will be …
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According to an article in the Detroit News, “Steroid injections provide as much relief as surgery for patients with new cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, at least for a year after treatment, finds a study in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. The study confirms findings that injections are effective short-term …
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In The Working Wounded, reporter Rachel Brahinsky describes the effects of the recent changes in California’s workers’ compensation insurance system. The changes – heavily touted by Governator Schwarzenegger – were meant to help control the staggering costs of workers’ compensation claims, by limiting cash payouts to workers and limiting workers’ …
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CNET (Got ‘BlackBerry Thumb’? Rest UR digits) and the Newark Star-Ledger ( Feeling The Pain Of Handheld Devices) report on an ailment dubbed “‘BlackBerry Thumb”, which afflicts users of the popular BlackBerry device, as well as people who use their phone for text messaging. These communication devices feature a tiny …
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