4 ms·

a bit off topic, but I've spent a LONG time in front of a computer (going on 41 years of programming) and my wife is a compulsive knitter... I'm not sure that

a bit off topic, but I've spent a LONG time in front of a computer (going on 41 years of programming) and my wife is a compulsive knitter... I'm not sure that we know the full story on RSI. It think that repetitive motion is necessary but not sufficient. I don't know enough to speak authoritatively on it, but here's my anecdote: I've been compulsively in front of a computer since I was 6 writing code. I still write a lot of code, but also do a lot of analysis work and R&D designing algorithms, so if I'm not writing code, I'm still doing tons of modelling and other "computer work." I don't have any ergonomic setup or anything fancy. I generally just work directly on my laptop sitting on a crash pad couch (https://www.metoliusclimbing.com/crash-pad-couch.html https://www.metoliusclimbing.com/crash-pad-couch.html). Basically, if anyone who studies ergonomics would look at how I work and probably have a heart attack. My wife took up knitting as a stress reliever in grad school, and 25 years later if she's not working (on a computer), she's knitting (I have SO many hats!). Neither of us have any symptoms or signs of even starting to get any RSI. I spend a bunch of time rock climbing (hence the crash pad couch) and lifting weights, maybe that counter acts it? We have a very low inflammatory diet (I've seen about inflammation kicking off RSI and then it getting aggravated from there). I don't know. I have no real idea, but give our lifestyles we should have some form of RSI if you listen to the prevailing theories. But we don't. Not trying to suggest anything in particular as a reason, but just wanted to point out that RSI is not a given.

throwup238 2y ago
> I spend a bunch of time rock climbing (hence the crash pad couch) and lifting weights, maybe that counter acts it? One more anecdata to add in support of lifting weights: I started experiencing the early symptoms of wrist RSI and went to a physical therapist who showed me some wrist strengthening exercises with free weights. Within weeks the pain disappeared and hasn't come back in years despite no other ergonomic changes (I still lift weights). PT also recommended rockclimbing or pretty much any exercise that strengthens the forearm muscles as an alternative.
j33zusjuice 2y ago
I think RSIs come from muscular imbalances, and tightness. It’s not just repeating the same motion, but that motion being almost uniquely how those muscles engage. You climb, so your forearm muscles are exercised on both sides. I’m guessing you also stretch a lot. But imagine you didn’t use the posterior muscles in your forearm, only the anterior. Eventually, the posterior muscles sort of seize in a tightened state because they can no longer counterbalance the anterior forearm muscles. Eventually, this could lead to nerve impingement, which creates the RSI. Tangentially, I know a lot of people who get pain between their shoulder blades from craning at the computer. What fixes that pain almost 100% of the time? Stretching your chest and anterior shoulders. It’s definitely possible that you have something else going on, but it’s insanely common for a person’s shoulders to roll forward, which puts immense stress on your back. Easy test: stand with your arms at your side, and your palms should be roughly parallel to your outer quad. If they’re turning in and pointing toward your knees (gorilla like), you need to stretch. In my opinion, there is a major gap in understanding of the muscular system in medicine. MDs don’t know how to approach pain except to numb it, or cut it out. Idk why, I just know that I’ve not personally seen useful results from MDs. PTs, ime, are usually excellent. But you schedule appointments with your MD, PTs only come in after an MD recommends it (at least in the US), which leads to the wrong solutions being tried a lot.
- michaelrpeskin 2y ago
  You're preaching to the choir here. Programming and climbing are very anterior dominant and you get easily get the forward neck/shoulder issue. Most of my weightlifting is heavy kettlebell and posterior-dominant barbell work - lots of swings, snatches, squats, and deadlifts. All of that balances out the rest of my life. If I have a week of travel sitting on a plane and in meeting rooms my back starts to get unhappy, and then I do a week of focused heavy deadlifts and all is well again.

throwup238 2y ago

> I spend a bunch of time rock climbing (hence the crash pad couch) and lifting weights, maybe that counter acts it? One more anecdata to add in support of lifting weights: I started experiencing the early symptoms of wrist RSI and went to a physical therapist who showed me some wrist strengthening exercises with free weights. Within weeks the pain disappeared and hasn't come back in years despite no other ergonomic changes (I still lift weights). PT also recommended rockclimbing or pretty much any exercise that strengthens the forearm muscles as an alternative.

j33zusjuice 2y ago

I think RSIs come from muscular imbalances, and tightness. It’s not just repeating the same motion, but that motion being almost uniquely how those muscles engage. You climb, so your forearm muscles are exercised on both sides. I’m guessing you also stretch a lot. But imagine you didn’t use the posterior muscles in your forearm, only the anterior. Eventually, the posterior muscles sort of seize in a tightened state because they can no longer counterbalance the anterior forearm muscles. Eventually, this could lead to nerve impingement, which creates the RSI. Tangentially, I know a lot of people who get pain between their shoulder blades from craning at the computer. What fixes that pain almost 100% of the time? Stretching your chest and anterior shoulders. It’s definitely possible that you have something else going on, but it’s insanely common for a person’s shoulders to roll forward, which puts immense stress on your back. Easy test: stand with your arms at your side, and your palms should be roughly parallel to your outer quad. If they’re turning in and pointing toward your knees (gorilla like), you need to stretch. In my opinion, there is a major gap in understanding of the muscular system in medicine. MDs don’t know how to approach pain except to numb it, or cut it out. Idk why, I just know that I’ve not personally seen useful results from MDs. PTs, ime, are usually excellent. But you schedule appointments with your MD, PTs only come in after an MD recommends it (at least in the US), which leads to the wrong solutions being tried a lot.

michaelrpeskin 2y ago
You're preaching to the choir here. Programming and climbing are very anterior dominant and you get easily get the forward neck/shoulder issue. Most of my weightlifting is heavy kettlebell and posterior-dominant barbell work - lots of swings, snatches, squats, and deadlifts. All of that balances out the rest of my life. If I have a week of travel sitting on a plane and in meeting rooms my back starts to get unhappy, and then I do a week of focused heavy deadlifts and all is well again.