I’ve been troubled for awhile because my left shoulder, the one I hurt when I fell down the stairs last year, has begun bothering me again. I couldn’t figure out why. I hadn’t had another injury. My lifestyle is much less stressful than the things I did on the show. And yet…something that I was doing in Portland made my shoulder hurt.
I finally figured out what it was. When I read or edit at the computer, basically anything that doesn’t require both hands on the keyboard, I put my elbow on the desk and lean on it. My left elbow. What happens then is that my shoulder rolls forward into the position that lets the tendon pop out of its groove, and then I lean on it, compressing the tendon between my bones. Nice, eh?
I’m now trying to break the habit. It is not easy. But, if I do it, then I’ll get to sleep on my left side again. That’ll be nice.
Tags: computer, Journal, Portland
I do exactly this same thing! It’s a terrible habit to break. I wish I had any advice for you on doing so; I’m still having trouble with it.
Who ever figured that writing would be harder on you physically than puppeteering?
Take the arm off your chair.
It is surprising me how often I do it. When I was in Iceland I didn’t sit at a table, so the computer was always in my lap. No leaning.
Rick–we’re actually thinking about getting me a chair with arms so that I don’t push the shoulder forward to find something to lean on. I think it’s the position, not the pressure. But, you might be right in that I just need to learn to not do this.
I read the entry too fast the first time.
If you’re in a situation where you can install a keyboard drawer, it will force you to keep back from the desk far enough you can’t lean on it. It should also keep your shoulders in a lower and more natural position.
Good point. I’m at the dining room table now, because my desk is packed. I should probably go back to having the computer in my lap until we move.
This isn’t a quick fix, but I’d suggest studying the Alexander Technique. There aren’t as many teachers in Portland as there are in New York, where you can’t chuck a biscuit without hitting half a dozen. I’d think you could find it very helpful for this, and your puppet work.
That’s a good idea. I’ve done a little Alexander, but it’s been years. My physical therapist for this injury was doing lots of Alexander like work with me, primarily on correcting position issues, like letting that shoulder ride up or roll forward.