Computers are used so often in our daily lives by many people across the board. However, there are many people operating computers who are not trained touch typists and I have observed that the tendency to slouch over the laptop or desk computer and use the hands/fingers in unbalanced fashion is becoming more prevalent.

Many people arch their back and sit on an angle when using the computer with little regard to correct posture. Others may even just place the laptop on their lap and operate the keyboard in this fashion completely oblivious to how their arms and hands are moving at the wrong level.

It is vital that you assess your seating and desk/workstation arrangement to enable you to work in alignment and therefore more efficiently and avoiding muscular/skeletal strain and injuries. I recommend obtaining a desk with a pull out keyboard and also a pull out mouse platform, which is the same height. By simply using a pull out keyboard you are defeating the purpose by reaching up to use the mouse which is sat at a slightly higher level on the desk. Just observe your shoulders as you do this and you will see why problems will occur.

It is also far better if you can raise the keyboards on the laptops rather than continually typing on them when they are in the “flat” position. Your fingers and hands need to operate the keys whilst they are slightly raised.

The “mouse arm” situation is presented to me on a very regular basis. People with sore necks, stiff shoulders, limited mobility in arms or fingers due to using computers or other machinery with poor body posture. Many describe pins and needles and tingling traveling down their arms to their fingers, some cannot move their middle and forefingers very well without discomfort, others have problems with the thumb. This is all due to poor posture often reflecting on the brachial plexus, which is affected by any misalignment to the C5, C6, C7 or C8, including T1 vertebras.

Since there are more right handed people than left the “mouse arm” as some body workers affectionately call it, is seen more often on the right side of the body.

I have witnessed people with such an obvious misalignment that one shoulder could be raised as much as an inch in difference to the other. Upon observation of the person you may find they lean to one side and never sit straight and correctly in the chair when talking to you.

Body education is paramount here, so you need to see a therapist who can help you make the right changes and offer relevant exercises for your problem.

We all create habits and a tendency to favor one side of the body more than the other is quite common, but bringing attention to this situation and correcting it every time will slowly encourage the body to improve.

Any form of bodywork that you receive to correct a misalignment and bad posture needs to include daily stretch exercises and education on how to sit and lift or carry and use the body.

I recommend Pilate’s to everyone who has experienced any muscular/skeletal problems or injuries. Always advising the tutor of what has been troubling you before you commence. Pilate’s will strengthen not only your core but also every muscle and tissue in your body and create a flexibility and good posture, therefore lessening further injury. However, you need to have to receive treatment first to reduce and resolve all inflammation and pain, before commencing pilate's which is quite a vigorous workout.

Some problems you may develop through poor posture?

RSI (repetitive strain injury)
Tennis elbow
Frozen Shoulder
Carpel Tunnel
Complete neck misalignment resulting in headaches and in some cases affecting memory (the upper vertebras will be misaligned creating distortion of fascia, tissues and muscles creating impingement on nerves – also affecting blood flow to the nerves and creating shooting pain and inflammation).

All the above can be resolved with Bowen therapy, sports massage/triggerpoint, acupuncture or osteopathy and in some cases a combination of any 2 of these therapies.

Bowen therapy is gentle and non-manipulative bodywork and non-invasive allowing you to achieve complete realignment of the muscular/skeletal body without little or no discomfort. This therapy is often received in loose clothing and is deeply relaxing. Recommended therapy if there is acute pain and inflammation. I have had excellent results in all of the above mentioned disorders treating people with Bowen therapy.

Sports massage in conjunction with trigger point and acupressure (ensure therapist can apply and is trained in all techniques) is an excellent therapy to receive, especially for people who like deeper work. However, I would not recommend it for inflamed tissues and acute pain, opting for the more gentle therapies initially.

Acupuncture, is excellent for reducing inflammation and nerve pain, but some people have an aversion to the needles. Depending on the therapist’s approach some twist and turn the needs and tap them, whereas others may simply insert them with a more gentle approach. Acupuncture is good to incorporate with any of the other therapies mentioned here that will help in realigning the body whilst reducing inflammation. Sometimes I may recommend someone to receive acupuncture in conjunction with Bowen therapy – but of course leaving at least 5-7 days between treatments, it really depends on amount of inflammation that is present.

Osteopathy offers a form of manipulative bodywork (unlike Bowen which is non-manipulative) where the therapist may apply a massage first to warm up the tissues prior to any adjustments they will perform. Some people find the adjustments painful, it really depends on the how acute/chronic the problem is and the location, along with the therapists techniques.

Naturopathically specific remedies can be administered to help with discomfort of pain, reduce inflammation, strengthing and repairing muscle/tissue/tendons and often dietary assessment is reviewed to ensure sufficient protein and relevant minerals are being taken on board. If a Naturopath is trained in one of the above mentioned types of bodywork then you are in an excellent position to receive advice and help both with underlying mineral deficiencies, remedies for inflammation along with the muscular – structural body work.
 
Herbal and homeopathic remedies assist with pain relief and reducing inflammation, the latter is excellent for this and great for all those people who really do not like the idea of receiving acupuncture to reduce swelling, and inflamed areas.

An inadequate diet can slow down the healing process. It is essential that you are receiving a full complement of minerals and protein to build on strength and integrity of cellular repair. Therefore if the therapist is not a trained naturopath I recommend you see one to complement your treatment.

There are different approaches to treating these problems. Impinged nerves can be freed and nourishment can be given to the nerves by improving blood flow with relevant liniments and homoeopathic topical applications.

I recommend that you resolve the problem as soon as you experience discomfort otherwise a more chronic case of RSI may result.

Lyn Craven is a Practitioner of Naturopathy, Bowen Therapy, Food/Enzyme Therapist, Reiki Energy Therapist, Meditation Teacher & Corporate Health Facilitator & Presenter. Lyn is health researcher/writer for Health magazines and has produced a meditation CD assisting people manage stress available via mail. She runs a private practice in Sydney and conducts workshops in Bondi & Noosa. Contact Lyn on 0403 231 804 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Website www.lyncravencorporatehealth-naturopath.com