CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
(OP)
I've worked for the last nine years as a CAD designer. Two years ago, I completed a Bachelor's Degree in Career and Technical Education and a year after that, I started having wrist pain. I tried several different mice and ergonomic setups but nothing helped much and the pain has now spread into my forearm and shoulder. I've seen several doctors, been to therapy and do daily stretches and ice, but nothing has helped and the pain is now starting to interrupt activities outside of work.
New study - wrist pain/mouse usage
I want to get away from using the mouse 8+ hours a day but I'm not sure what type of careers are available to someone with my background and education. I have thought of trying teaching/training but don't know how much mousing that would involve - probably some, but hopefully much less than I currently do. I've also thought of getting a Master's Degree in something (possibly education), but I'm not sure what.
Does anyone have any suggestions for other areas - consulting, etc. or does know anything about the teaching/training field?
Thanks for the help.
New study - wrist pain/mouse usage
I want to get away from using the mouse 8+ hours a day but I'm not sure what type of careers are available to someone with my background and education. I have thought of trying teaching/training but don't know how much mousing that would involve - probably some, but hopefully much less than I currently do. I've also thought of getting a Master's Degree in something (possibly education), but I'm not sure what.
Does anyone have any suggestions for other areas - consulting, etc. or does know anything about the teaching/training field?
Thanks for the help.





RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
A quick look at web sites seem to give plenty of ways to avoid it: http://eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html None, however, seem to suggest the simple solution that stopping the repetitive action will eventually cure it. I would ask your doctor at what level of activity would be acceptable for the injury to eventually go away.
Having been on many technical courses I've noticed that the lecturer never touches the keyboard, so it sounds an ideal career change for you. I would ask at the local education authority on career opportunities. I know that in the UK they are desperate for teachers and openly advertise for people to change careers and go into teaching, particulary in technical/engineering subjects.
corus
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
I too had similar symptoms after working constantly with a mouse - I decided it got to the point of doing something about it when I dropped a full bottle of wine cos I couldn't grip properly!
I was diagnosed with RSI and had two operations to release the sheath around the tendon into my thumb. It ultimately was a complete sucess and I am back using a mouse although I am far more aware of taking breaks.
With regards to the employers responsibility to health and safety corus is perfectly correct, they should ensure both adequate training in the best work practices and the need for regular rest breaks. If they did not do this you may well have a case (I managed to proove negligence against the company I worked for and won damages)however if you were warned and didn't follow correct practice then I am afraid that avenue will not be open to you.
If you are in the UK you could do a PGCE (Post graduate certificate in education) that would allow you to work throughout the education system. Failing that you could apply to higher education einstitutions only. I am not sure of the situation outside UK.
Aslo you could try and work for some of the training companies or the institutes where education of both employers and employees is of prime importance.
Hope this helps
Parsnip
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
Let me know what you decide to do as your story is similar to my own!
I am in a way fortunate that I can use my left hand for mouse operations now that I have pain in my right arm and shoulder, although this could prove costly if both arms become painful.
I am wary of venturing into teaching as my wife has recently switched careers and started to teach and she must work at least 50hrs per week!! There is stacks of planning to do and lots of chew from know-it-all parents!! (primary school).
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
I ran into this same problem a couple of years ago. I also had the same concerns. The one thing that saved me was to get an optical mouse. With an optical mouse I can use the mouse on any surface and I am not straining my wrist trying to keep it on the mouse pad.
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
I too have problems in my wrist.
I tried the ergonomic mouse from 3m and it really helped a lot.
It would take some time to get used to it, but for me, it is really worth it.
Roark
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
Switch hands.
It took me about 3 days to get used to it, and rather longer to get adept.
It also has the advantage that other people find it dfficult to use my PC, and in AutoCAD I could mouse left handed while typing right handed.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
Left-handed mousing is a little more annoying for word-processing because many of the control keys are left-handed, but that's okay.
Sounds like gesigner's ready for a career change anyway, but there's almost nothing white-collar that doesn't involve a fair amount of computer work, and switching hands can help.
Hg
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
RE: CAD designer with wrist & forearm pain seeking new career
Monitor
Your monitor should be in a position that allows you to not have to bend your neck to view it, meaning not too high, not too low. It shoud also be arms length away. Have the screen tilted so it is perpendicular to your line of sight (unless surrounding glare is a problem).
Chair
You should sit fully "into" your chair. I notice many people like to sit on the edge of the chair, this puts a strain on your back and neck. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor, with your shins perdendicular to the floor. If they are not, then you are sitting too low or high.
Posture
Type with your forearms parallel or slightly angled up to the keyboard. Don't hunch over your keyboard. Keep your shoulders square, back straight, etc.
As to pointing devices, I've moved entirely away from the mouse, and have gone to a Logitect Marble Mouse (not a typical trackball). Now I don't have to drag my whole arm around the desktop. When I move the pointer, only my fingers do any work. I hghly recommend them.
Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
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