Tips for fighting carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Anyone out there have carpal?

My hands/wrists/arms have been stiffening up like banchees since I started this blog!

I mentioned it to my doctor but he kind of glossed over it…

So I’ve been DIY’ing online to see what might be causing this, and how I might cure it (it’s actually quite painful on some days and has started to interfere with my work).

According to the New York Times’s Health Guide (which is a great resource):

“Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which may result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers.”

Carpal is caused by repetitive handwork over long periods, and can be exacerbated by stress, bad posture, etc.

l’m guessing my symptoms stem from all this blogging as I’m not handling a heavy jack-hammer or anything like that, at least not on a regular basis.

Tech - your friend or foe?

A few famous bloggers died on the job last week and this has cast a spotlight on the blogging lifestyle, which can become an obsessive, 24/7 affair.

The New York Times ran an article on the subject, ‘In Web World of 24/7 Stress, Writers Blog ‘Til They Drop’. Here’s a sobering snippet:

“I haven’t died yet,” said Michael Arrington, the founder and co-editor of TechCrunch, a popular technology blog. The site has brought in millions in advertising revenue, but there has been a hefty cost. Mr. Arrington says he has gained 30 pounds in the last three years, developed a severe sleeping disorder and turned his home into an office for him and four employees. “At some point, I’ll have a nervous breakdown and be admitted to the hospital, or something else will happen. This is not sustainable.”

A pet can work wonders…

I met a fellow entrepreneur for dinner last night at the local tapas place and he said something interesting:

“I find it hard to be friends with people who don’t like animals, or people who aren’t generous.”

No argument from me on either point.

Lately I’ve been dog-sitting for a friend (see above) and have been reminded how wonderful it is to have a pet or two in the house.

A stress-buster if there ever was one. Pets, loyal and oblivious to work deadlines, help keep things in perspective.

And we learn from today’s BBC that there may in fact be some truth to the warm & fuzzy feelings pets impart:

“… there is an increasing amount of research proving that contact with animals can bring real physiological and psychological benefits including reducing stress, helping to prevent illness and allergies, lowering blood pressure, aiding recovery and boosting fitness levels.”

Of course, having a pet carries significant responsibility too… There’s always a rub in life, isn’t there?