How do you handle or prevent health issues? 5

[KevinDeSmet]

I love working behind the computer doing CAD but these past few months, I have been getting some health issues that cause me discomfort and mild pain, enough to throw my attention off.

Doctors are idiots. Since they seem to not figure out what it even is, let alone what I can do to help it. The obvious thing might be to exercise, but is that myth or fact? I can think of many possible things that could potentially crop up with heavy computer use: wrist pains, eye strains, neck soars, back pains, butt pains (which sadly I have), elbow aches, etc...

So, what do you guys do to help cope with or prevent health issues from getting in the way of getting your work done?

Certified SolidWorks Professional

 

[TheTick]

PRIO lenses changed my life!

http://www.prio.com/

Got rid of my blinding headaches and shoulder pain overnight.

If you go this route I recommend two things:
1.) Go to a doctor that is in private practice, not a chain place like D.O.C.
2.) Order lenses that have the entire surface as PRIO, not a bifocal or narrow-zone lens.

The website used to do a better job at describing how it works. Basically, the eyes at rest focus on a point 8 to 16 feet ahead. PRIO takes that rest position and makes it so that the resting focus distance is at your computer screen.

 

[jmw]

And there ought to be a case for making the employer pay. I know at my last company because we used the computers our glasses were paid for.


JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[ctopher]

Exercise is a fact, so is diet.
A correct posture while sitting and standing will release tension and help reduce stress.
Stress is one of the leading causes of poor health.
Not all doctors are idiots, it's the matter of finding the right one and describing your entire issue so thay understand you. They are people too.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[tygerdawg]

Agree with above. I have a friend who is a crackerjack CAD design engineer who is a heart-attack or stroke candidate because he plops his corpulent self into his workstation chair and doesn't get up until it's time to go home. Some suggestions to add to above:

(1) Exercise may be the key here. Sitting at CAD station is sedentary, not what your body was designed for. Have the discipline to get up on regular basis, stretch, walk, bend, squat, remove your glasses and let your eyes rest. Your pain is a symptom of inactivity. Discipline yourself to get regular sufficient excercise. You don't have to be a ripped, 2%-body fat fitness model, but you need something which will include lots of stretching and deep breathing. My entire family gets chiropractic care and deep body massages on a regular basis not because we need it but because we want it and it (IMHO) helps keep us healthy.

(2) Review your diet and make changes as necessary.

(3) Manage the stress factor.

(4) Use doctors when needed, but beware of docs throwing pills at problems. Most problems can be handled with lifestyle changes, but that requires initiative and discipline on your part.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[Mr168]

If you're with a larger company, inquire with the Health and Safety department. Often, they can do an ergonomics assessment, and are willing to swap out chairs, provide keyboard extensions, etc, some of which may be actual benefit.

I suffer from back/neck/shoulder problems, and the best thing I've done to date is strengthening my core. I went the P90X route (not for my own health, but in sheer reluctance to be the fat guy at my good friend's wedding), and it's done more than all the chiropractic, site injections, and pills they've thrown at me.

 

[TheBlacksmith]

In my exercise program I emphasize flexibility, then reps, then weight. As noted above, not looking for the 2% ripped look, just reasonable fitness and find that maximum range of motion is the most important for me to avoid aches and pains.

 

[MadMango]

Proper ergonomics can go a long way to prevent unwanted strain and fatigue. Get a good chair, watch your posture (don't sit on the edge of your seat). Exercise doesn't have to be triathlon training. It can be as simple as walking somewhere for lunch instead of driving, or instead of taking a break surfing on the intertubes, you can take a walk around the shop or plant.

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[KENAT]

If I recall correctly, back in the UK, if you worked mostly at a computer they were meant to let you have a 10 minute break from the PC every hour or something like that (not necessarily a break from work though). Now I'm in the US I make a point of finding an excuse to get up and leave my desk with similar frequency.

Posture and exercise would be obvious concerns, as would how good your chair is ergonomically speaking.

Find a Doctor, or suitable health care professional, that you're happy dealing with and speak to them to get a better idea.

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[btrueblood]

I had terrible shoulder pain and numbness a couple years back, to the point I was losing sleep and work/family life was starting to suffer. The doc and his pills helped me get the pain under control, the neurologist and his steroid injection got the nerve inflammation and numbness to quiet down...but the physical therapist and his directed excersize routine is what ended up making the longest lasting, best improvements.

 

[KENAT]

Funny, I put physical therapist in my post then took it out as I know folks get upset about people talking out of their sphere or expertize.

Of course, a decent doctor will be the one sending you to physio (mine did) though perhaps dependent on what your health care covers.

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[Mr168]

Health care coverage is the easy part. Trying to find a physio open past 4:30, 3 days a week on the other hand...

 

[KENAT]

Well, the one just down the road is open really early, not sure how late they go though. Plus, I'm guessing folks would take 'sick time' or 'PN time' or similar to see a Doc, why not for a physio?

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[ctopher]

I have been working on computers for a long time.
My wife recently talked me into going with her to get a manicure.
Being a guy, I naturally resisted at first, but gave in to make 'her' happy.
After the manicure, the girl massaged my hands, wrists, and forearms for 10 minutes. Damn that felt good!
It not only relieved stress, but helped my hands and wrists feel better at work. I go once a month now, may change to every other week.
No, no color added to the nails.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[TenPenny]

I figure that any post from someone purporting to be a professional who dismisses a complete category of professionals as 'idiots' is hardly worth reading.

That said, eating properly and getting exercise is key to being healthy. If you have a physical ailment, a good physio is a gift from the heavens.

 

[TheTick]

A while ago, I got scolded for taking walks on my lunch breaks, my boss saying "It looks bad, like you're not busy enough". Six months later, the head honcho sends a mass email saying, amon other things, "Get away from the computers at lunch, read a book or take a walk or something!".

 

[KevinDeSmet]

I have been to many doctors visits over the past year. I tell my story, they send me off to get a scan, scan shows nothing abnormal, "sorry i cant help you anymore".

Idiots may have been the wrong word for it, that infers at least that they can't help it. But they can, they just don't care. If they were running a business they'd lose all their customers! But what're ya gonna go? That's right, go to another doctor – rinse repeat.

Also this pain came suddenly, when sitting on a bad chair for a few weeks. For the rest I feel great. That's why I have my doubts in the cheesy adages that are exercise and diet.

Certified SolidWorks Professional

 

[TheBlacksmith]

So doctors are idiots and exercise and diets are cheesy adages. Quit wasting your time (and ours) here and go heal yourself.

 

[ctopher]

Just because you have pain doesn't mean a doctor will find it with a scan. It doesn't make him/her an idiot.
"Also this pain came suddenly, when sitting on a bad chair for a few weeks".
Then purchase a good chair!

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[Mr168]

@ Kenat: In regards to the sick time - sure, that can work, but with only 40 hrs/yr, multiple visits weekly over the stretch of several weeks/months adds up in a hurry. I'd been screwed that way once before thanks to a shoulder injury as a kid.