Powerball for RSI?

PenguinOfDeath

I know these were popular a couple of years ago, however I have recently developed a nasty bout of RSI in my wrists from typing etc and have heard that using a powerball may help strengthen muscles and relieve symptoms.

Has anyone found these to be beneficial for RSI?

What are the differences between the types for beginners?

Anyone know of any good deals about to buy a powerball or decent alternative? On amazon the cheapest is 8 pounds with no counter and around 14 pounds for one with, anywhere to beat this?

Thanks in advance

Myser

I had this for a while. Here are a few tips:

1. Every so often, rest your wrists and do some wrist rotation and arm stretches.
2. It is worth investing in gel mouse and keyboard pads.
3. Do you angle your keyboard up - if so, lower the two tabs at the back so yout wrists aren't forced upwards when you type.
4. What keyboard/mouse do you use? Some of the smaller mice can cause problems. Your employer should be able to buy you something suitable. There are special keyboards and mice (alternatives) for RSI.
5. If your keyboard is near the edge of your desk, create some more space in front and push the keyboard forward. This will give more room for your arms and wrists to rest.
6. Does your chair have armrests? Do you rest your arms on the armrests while typing? I have found this can aggravate the pain too.

PenguinOfDeath

Yeah I did a typing course not long back, we were given some tips on what can help such as not resting your wrists and taking regular breaks etc. I have a gel mouse pad but I now think a major antagonist is typing and browsing on my smartphone.

Has anyone found these powerballs or doing exercises can help with the discomfort?

jenniewb

PenguinOfDeath wrote: »

Yeah I did a typing course not long back, we were given some tips on what can help such as not resting your wrists and taking regular breaks etc. I have a gel mouse pad but I now think a major antagonist is typing and browsing on my smartphone.

Has anyone found these powerballs or doing exercises can help with the discomfort?

I was told not long ago I had RSI symptoms (as much as I agree RSI is to blame I had no full RSI tests and don't want to categorise myself unfairly/upset others by assuming my case is as bad as theirs, I know it could be far far worse!) I think for me its caused by basicly doing the same movements over and over again (typing- and nope, I don't own a mobile phone.)

I have to say at times of stress its a lot worse, weather or not thats because I type more or because I hold more tension in my body, (so unconciously tensing up and clenching all my muscles without realising I'm doing this) I think thats what brings it out anyway.

To remedy it I find that its not so much just stopping the typing and stress, its about doing lots of different movements to get the unused/resting muscles doing some work and taking over from the muscles that have been overused/overworked and have the RSI symptoms. For me, I don't think the powerball would work as I'd think its still not utilising all the alternative muscles and it does seem a bit limited to the muscles that can be used for it, when I get the RSI symptoms its kind of like a message to stop and change what I am doing, do it differently and also do more with the rest of my body- not just my arms and hands.

I find that things like just going for more walks to and from (instead of public transport- or if I had one, a car), things like yoga, stretching, and even a few of the advised exercises they give you when they say "this is what I think you have". Its not about doing any one thing that helps, its about doing many little things, theres no simple 'cure' but there is a way to make things better.

If you can get one, professional massages can help too, and if your a member of a gym a foam roller and things like pilataes all helped me (foam rollers are not fin though and not easy to do! Takes a few uses or even weeks to really notice the difference).

Oh, and sleeping well and keeping hydrated are also things I'd bet your already doing but do make a difference.

terra_ferma

I don't know if this can be of any help to anyone else, but this mouse is the only one I can use without have pain to my wrists I work very long hours on a computer).
I won't help with typing, but if anyone has problems using a mouse this may be good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Optical-Ergonomic-Buttons-Medium/dp/B000F2BP7U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325780188&sr=8-1

(watch out there are rip off merchants on ebay selling fakes, easy to spot because they look different from the real thing)