There’s a physical toll:
Writer’s Cramps used to mean cramping in your hand from holding a pen or pencil. Most writers don’t use pens; they use computers, which results in neck, elbow, or shoulder pain from keyboarding.
My issue is pain in the upper arm, with shoulder and neck soreness. It comes from using my mouse–that little gizmo writers rely heavily on when editing. When pain began to affect me while dressing, cleaning or working out, I decided I needed to address this.
Initially, I’d hoped to solve this myself. I read up on arm pain and ergonomics. When you use a mouse with the arm held away from the body, your muscles contract as they support the weight of your extended hand. Sitting in the same position for several hours without frequent variations obviously leads to muscle weakness and pain.
So I tried a few tricks. I moved my body closer to my work space. I adjusted my desk height. I adjusted the height of the mouse pad. I still ended up in pain, the I-don’t-want-to-write kind of pain. I realized that the issue had gone past adjusting where I placed my mouse or simple ergonomics.
Help beyond ergonomics:
My muscles were excruciatingly tight and I worried about nerve damage. Getting serious meant consulting a physical therapist who could help me sort this out. I called Neil King Physical Therapy to talk to the same team who helped me with my sacral torsion.
These therapists are serious. I’m getting an education in the “tendon of long head of biceps brachii muscle” (say what?) and all the other tendons and muscles that connect to my shoulder and neck. Kyle shows me pictures and talks about tendons I didn’t know I even had.
Of course, Kyle is so good looking he could talk about planting potatoes and I’d find it fascinating, but that’s another blog post.
What’s really going on:
It seems much of my pain comes from the rotation of the shoulder when I extend my arm. I prided myself on having decent posture, but apparently it’s not that stellar, especially when I write. My shoulder rotates forward and my elbow flares outward, which strains the tendons when I reach for the mouse. You wouldn’t learn this from studying a simple chart of good ergonomics.
It pays to consult someone who understands body mechanics, and who can explain it to you. Like Kyle.
But get your own Kyle. Stay away from mine.
Moving forward:
I now have a list of exercises for the muscles in my shoulder and arm, and I’m learning exactly how to do them. Small details, such as which way your hand is turned, make a big difference. I also have stretches for my neck, pecs, shoulder, bicep and back. These specialized stretches involve bands and doorways! One of my favorites is standing in a doorway with my hands at about shoulder level on the door frame, and then taking a step forward to feel a stretch in the pecs and biceps. Another is putting one hand down low on the door frame and stepping forward. I also lay on a long foam roller and let my arms relax to the sides– a wonderful stretch.
I’m a bit sore sore because I’m working a few muscles in ways I never had before, but the work is counteracting the muscles that I’ve put under stress. I suspect the pain will improve. Progress, for me, is being able to do what I love: write.
I think I found a good place for placement of my mouse, too, which doesn’t involve extending my arm.
I wonder if an arm rest might help. My other option might be a keyboard with a center mouse pad.
Do you have issues with pain from writing? What tricks have you found that help? I’d love to hear from you.
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Linda K. Sienkiewicz is the author of the award-winning novel In the Context of Love, a story about one woman’s need to tell her truth without shame. Discovering who you want to be isn’t easy when you can’t leave the past behind.
2017 New Apple Book Awards Official Selection
2016 Sarton Women’s Fiction Finalist
2016 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist
2016 Readers’ Favorite Finalist
2016 USA Book News Best Book Finalist
“…at once a love story, a cautionary tale, and an inspirational journey.” ~ Bonnie Jo Campbell, author of National Book Award Finalist, American Salvage, and critically acclaimed Once Upon a River,and Mothers, Tell Your Daughters
“With tenderness, but without blinking, Linda K. Sienkiewicz turns her eye on the predator-prey savannah of the young and still somehow hopeful.” ~ Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of the #1 NY Times Bestseller, Deep End of the Ocean
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