back/shoulder/neck pain
Posted By: sm on 2009-04-02
In Reply to: Suggestions? - SAM
last year I started out like that and so I checked the ergonomics of my keyboard, etc. I wound up moving my mouse to my left hand and that helped somewhat but later developed symptoms of a frozen shoulder. Do you get an extreme burning sensation? It took me a year to recover. I feel your pain.
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agree - many MT's have chronic back/neck/shoulder problems also
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Back/neck pain
If anyone responds to the post about upper back/neck pain, please let me know - I have the exact same problem, and it makes long hours just miserable sometimes! Thanks in advance!!
neck pain
I had neck pain and both wrists/hands, and they thought it was carpal tunnel, finally had an MRI and had herniated disk at C5-C6 with nerve entrapment, ended up with cervical diskectomy and pain went away for a long time, but now back in my neck when I type too much, but I also have spurs in my neck and DJD in my neck. Transcription is a tough job, repetitive motion causing back, neck and arm/hand/wrist pains. I found the Thermawraps that you can buy at the store to help a lot, it has heat and you wear it like a collar. I have been to a chiropracter and acupuncturist and these did not help at all, and that is why I had the surgery. If the neck pain keeps up, I would have an MRI, I waited too long for doctor to go ahead with one, nerve was trapped under C5-C6 for 3 years and that is why I had the surgery. Good luck, hope the pain is relieved. I had it for a long time and it can be terrible.
Maybe she won't be such a pain in the neck
once you have your cervical surgery. They can probably get off paying her real cheap. Sounds like you are being duped. You may want to consider working for another practice who appreciates you instead of going above your head and hiring people since you are the supervisor. If they didn't think it was a good idea, they wouldn't have had the girl waiting there for you to train when you got back. Unfortunately this happens. Believe me, I know from experience, I worked for a hospital for over 15 years. They hired a lady that was ready for retirement. She comes and goes as she wishes. She did not listen to a word I said. She had medical problems herself and as far as I was concerned was not worth my time. So you know what I did? I resigned. End of story. Now I am happy and not having to train. So instead of thinking they care about what you think, start caring about what you think and find a position somewhere else where you are more appreciated.  It sounds a little late in this game to train even someone with a lot of experience if your plan is to go out in just a few months. Everyone can be replaced, believe me, it is so true. 
I know about CTS, but do any of you have neck pain? SM
My neck is killing me, I guess from staying in the same position for hours. I am starting to feel a knot in my neck!
Thanks.
neck pain
I like the center of my monitor even with my eyes. This keeps my neck straight. Also if you wear glasses be sure to measure the distance from your eyes to the monitor so you are not pulling your head foreward.
Neck Pain Relief
The main problem I have is neck pain from typing. Found some good products to help and especially the neck exercises that keep me going with less pain and headaches.
any neck pain? Sounds like a cervical spine problem. And med advice.. you nee an xray!
You might be old enough for degenerative changes, or disc space narrowing. What you are describing could definitely come from cervical spine nerve root compressions. Does the symptomatology change when you reposition your neck or adjust your posture? See somebody, that's kinda-sorta something you shouldn't be messing with.
neck and upper back sm
Swimming helps some. Massage definitely helps. I have asked the massage therapist just to focus on my neck and upper back and to work deeply. Rates for massage depend on where you live. I pay about $60 for an hour. Sometimes you can get a half hour. Definitely ask for what you want with massage, and give feedback about what feels helpful. A chiropractor has helped and a strong vibrator has helped. Good luck! I know the pain.
back and neck pains
does anyone have any tips for backache and neck pains from sitting? I do try to take breaks and do stretches. As far as a good chair, any hints? I know of a good brand but it is awfully expensive but may be worth the investment, but I would like to spend under $200 if I could.
neck/upper back problems
Anyone else out there with neck and upper back problems. I am having problems with neck spasms and it makes my head feel funny with pain into my jaw etc. Another downfall to our jobs I guess.  Any tips from anyone that has had these and gotten relief would be much appreciated I do not like taking muscle relaxers. 
Try leaning back in your chair and typing with your keyboard in your lap. I had terrible neck sm
back and shoulder pain, as well as pain in my elbows and hands from rheumatoid arthritis. I tried this method and have been using it for almost 6 years now with excellent results.
No leg or back pain here
I do try to sit up straight and hold in my abs, which helps the back. I also try to remember to breathe deeply once in awhile - raise up your rib cage and take in a good deep breath. I also switch the pedal foot, sometimes use the left and other times the right. I started doing that long ago when I got to thinking - what if I had a cast on my right foot, how would I work? Started using both feet - solved that problem.
My problem is my shoulders. I do shoulder rolls at my desk and also do stretching. They still get tight though.
And my RIGHT THUMB! From hitting the spacebar so often. When that gets bad, I pad it with a Band-Aid.
back pain
This is probably more info than you want, but I had the same problem a few years ago. I'm soon to be 52. Had to see a chiropractor after a while. He told me it is called "tailor's seat" and the best thing to do at home is ice 20 minutes at a time, do not sit in a recliner, take ibuprofen and if you can afford it, get chiropractic treatments; if not, I would suggest using a massage therapist. I actually have done both. The ice worked the best for me. I still do it sometimes. I also bought a spine cushion for my desk chair. That helps, too. Good luck.
Back pain sm
Have had this problem for years. Tried everything. The best cure for me is one of those microwaveable heat packs you can pick up from a mall kiosk, is made of cotton with rice-like material inside and perhaps some fragrance. You can make your own but would suggest you buy one, as wouldn't want it to be flammable. After all I have tried, a few Tylenol and the hot pack, lying flat on my back for perhaps 15 min., gently relieves the spasm/pain. Believe me, I have tried every gadget, PT (works for the session, then back to pain), have everything ever made for back pain and you have to be your own therapist. Try heat, rest, lie flat and at night, instead of Tylenol PM I use plain Tylenol and a Benadryl (sometimes 50 mg (2) help me to sleep. Getting the stress off your back is the only way in our profession. It hurts!
3rd-world MTs often sit shoulder-to shoulder,
with no partitions at all if they work in-house. At home, you-re right.... often 3 generations and 9 people living there.
PS: I like the Staples idea! There are some pretty good ones at Ikea, too. Who would ever know?
Upper back pain
In the past I have had the same problem, but I found that when I lowered my chair it was greatly improved. It seems I can type faster with my chair higher, but when I lower my chair I have much less pain. It is something to do with the angle in which my arms are.. When they are pretty much level with the keyboard that is a great improvement in the pain, although I have to sacrifice a little bit of speed it is well worth it. I also use a split keyboard which also seems to make an improvement in my pain. I have been at this work for 30 years and believe me I have had pain in all parts of my body related to sitting in this chair in the same position for many hours at a time. I wish you well.
Posture/back pain
Or, try this link.
http://www.backjoy.com/testimonials_users.asp#Sciatica
Back pain and chairs.
Go for the pillows. I tried to splurge a while ago and get a new chair, took it back and got a new pillow. I use a thin pillow for my bottom and a nice orthopedic pillow for my back. I'm tempted to try the keyboard on my lap like I've seen suggested here but my husband just brought me a new keyboard tray from a teardown job he was doing that sells for almost 200.00. I think he'd be hurt if I didn't try it.
Any knee/back pain sufferers out there? sm
What are your favorite shoes to wear that don't make your knees hurt? My back doesn't hurt if I wear Birkenstocks but my knees hurt if I do. I've tried countless types of arch supports and the ones that help my knees don't help my back. I have arthritis in both areas and the cartilage in my knees are shot due to degeneration. Yesterday I wore my Birkenstock inserts I recently got in my sneakers while I ran around Wal-Mart and boy am I ever paying for that today - my knees are killing me! Any advice would be appreciated.
Ergonomics for upper back pain?
I have been having tremendous problems with upper back pain right between my shoulder blades and up into my neck and right shoulder for weeks now. It makes typing just miserable.
Doc said I had brachial plexopathy, and gave me narcotics and told me to quit transcription. Since that isn't an option -- any ideas as to how to keep from getting this excruciating pain after an hour of typing? It goes away on weekends when I don't sit at the computer, so I'm sure it's largely related to my positioning. I've tried to fix my posture, but sitting up completely straight hurts worse than slouching.
Share any stretches, techniques for arm positioning, etc. I will be extremely grateful.
Thanks! 
Ergonomics for upper back pain
I find that it helps to get up and do a few stretch exercises. I have a 3-minute workout and microbreaks pamphlet that my husband got from his work that shows and explains some exercises including neck and back stretches. It does help when you get stiff from sitting and typing for so long. If you want me to type it up for you, just let me know and I will.
positioning footpedal; leg and back pain
Does anyone else have problems with back or leg tingling they feel is due to using a foot pedal? I switch feet but have low back pain and leg tingling I feel is due to depressing and letting up on the footpedal, etc. I have read some use a foot rest but I assume one would have to be custom built so that you could place the foot pedal on it plus your other foot. I wonder if sitting all day with your feet on a foot rest since they are built at an angle would cause problems, too. I read somewhere about an MT using a recliner which sounded comfortable but I wonder how in the world you could use a foot pedal placed on the foot rest of a recliner. If anyone has any suggestions for me I would truly appreciate it. If I don't find something soon, I am afraid I am going to have to go part-time or maybe even find a different profession.
foot pedal back pain
I had the same problem and had my honey make me a ramp for my pedals. one rectangle pice of wood with a 2 inch strip to give it a "lean." I have one for each pedal so it looks like I drive a stick while working. LOL not only helped the back pain, but my thighs don't swell as much either.
Know of any good chairs for back pain?
I have been using a $20 task chair from Wal-Mart for the past three years, I am sitting her now six months pregnant about ready to die from upper and lower back pain. Anyone have suggestions for a good quality chair they like, right now money is not an option, I would pay big $$$ for just a little relief.
I had back pain for an entire year. They did a trigger point
injection and it's gone. I couldn't believe it. I wish I'd found it sooner.
Hand pain - needing to cut back lines per week. Anyone else done this?
I have so much hand and wrist pain from all this typing. I only do 5000-6000 lines per week and that is torture. By the end of the week I have slowed down so badly it is ridiculous. I think I am going to have to cut way back before I trash my hands and wrists for good. Has anyone else had this problem and cut back on MT work? I'm trying to think of other jobs I could do for a few hours a day to make up the difference ($$)that don't involve typing.
Does anyone have any good ideas for back and hip pain from sitting all day? Anything on the market?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes they are!!!! OSi and SoftScript are neck and neck
There are MUCH better companies out there. Please, for your sake, do not go there with SoftScript.
I feel your pain. If at teaching hospital, great pain. SM
Some doctors do give standard discharge summaries, so you could just make copy and then pull it up. It is not easy, especially when they give 20 lines of lab results.
shoulder to cry on
I am really sorry that you are undergoing all of these stressors in your life. Can you get any financial help from your state/county right now, temporary - such as food stamps, help to pay your mortgage so you don't lose your house? Also, I would submit a claim to your insurance company disputing what they will pay and what should be paid, maybe that would get you some money for the doctors bills, etc. Years ago when I had two little ones, my husband was not working, we did get some temporary help from the state with food stamps, etc. Maybe one of your neighbors could rally for you and have a fund raiser to help you out, such as a dance with a DJ, where they charge admission and the money goes to your family to help pay the bills. I know they do that around here a lot. I know that depression can get the best of you and maybe you should talk to a pastor, your doctor, your employer, maybe someone can help you out.
I truly hope that things will get better for you and I send you a great big hug and tell you that even though in the darkest times, someone or something will surprise you and you will get through this. Take care and let us all know how you are doing.
Maybe selling some things in your house that you don't need would help you through this right now also. Good luck and I hope that your life will get easier and no one needs all of this at one time on their shoulders.
no, but with dislocated shoulder,
(surgically relocated),among numerous other injuries over the years. Its amazing what we can do when we have to. Take care of yourself!!
Angel on my shoulder - NM
NM
I have a spare shoulder!
Husband had health problems, we had 2 businesses, and then 9/11 hit and both businesses had NO income but we had lots of overhead! Ended up having to close businesses, declare bankruptcy, sell off almost everything, but managed to keep the house and an old vehicle with 200,000+ miles. Still paying the IRS. Believe it or not, it eventually gets better, although at one time I was hoping the IRS would just put us in jail for the taxes we couldn't pay so that at least we could have regular meals!
I need a shoulder to cry on as I feel I'm
1. I can't make my lines and lose my FT status.
2. My self-employed husband goes for open heart surgery. Thankfully, he's doing good, but the insurance only paid 1/4 of the hospital and doctor bills, even though it states up to $100,000 per event. They refused to pay the ambulance, didn't pay the doctors at all, and only paid the hospital 1/4 of what they charged. Why bother to pay for health insurance if they're going to renege (sic) on their agreement?
3. My credit rating has gone from excellent to fair since I am the only one working. I can't pay all the bills now until my husband goes back to work and then we have to wait 5 weeks for a paycheck from him. In the meantime, his truck payment, 2 mortgages 1st & 2nd, truck insurance, etc. must be paid to the tune of $3500 a month. I don't make that much a month plus I need another $500 for utilities and $1000 for life, health, disability insurance.
4. His brakes failed on his pickup when he was coming down our hill. Thankfully, he has the knowledge as a big truck driver, so he was not injured.
5. I decided to sell some extra things I have around here to make some money to help. I screwed it up and now am afraid to try again. Yet I have a houseful of "trinkets" to sell. I'm even thinking about selling some of our antique furniture, but am afraid I'll get ripped off.
This has not been a good year. I am trying not to break down in front of hubby, but I'm having a hard time keeping back the tears today..
I bought one of those, but it hurts my shoulder.
They're awkward to shove around and very loud. The only reason I bought it was because my good vacuum was in the shop. (12 year old Electrolux) Strange how different perception can be from one person to another. My husband keeps trying to give away my Dirt Devil, but I like it for cleaning out the cars.
Careful, you will hurt your shoulder.
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Are they shoulder width apart, scrunched in
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No. Like dont strain your shoulder patting
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Not me, but kids' friends have them. Behind your shoulder or on your ankle would be nice. nm
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I carry my laptop in a case with a shoulder strap and...sm
put my keyboard and foot pedal in my rolling luggage. it has worked fine so far. I will say that the next upgrade for me will be a much lighter weight smaller laptop.
Well you can always strap one around your neck :)
Think about it. The possibilities are endless when you learn to be "without hands" doing this job.
If it is lunchtime, cutting a sandwich into 6 individual pieces and stabbing each piece with a toothpick works very well as you only have to do one bite at a time and your keyboard doesn't get nasty from touching the bread.
For dessert, don't buy Reeses peanut butter cups. The "Popable" Reeses fit nicely into a small cup that you can toss a mouthful from whenever the urge hits you.
I don't recommend anything that you actually have to pick up with your fingers, i.e., Cheese Doodles, Doritos, salt and vinegar chips, etc., as the keyboard gets really icky and you lose time that way or you have to wipe the residue on your pants or a leftover coffee filter.
I've also found that a straw works well with coffee once it has cooled down to tepid, as it usually does before you expect it.
stiff neck
What do you do for a stiff neck from working at the computer too long? Mine is killing me today.
How about a neck pillow you can
That can help sometimes; you can even make one. Just sew up a tube and fill it with beans or rice. Or maybe you could get someone to massage your neck to loosen up those tight muscles? If nobody is around to do that for me, I sometimes stand under the shower with hot water or take a long soak in the tub with Epsom salts. Also, those neck rotating exercises help loosen up tense muscles sometimes. Hope it gets better; I know the feeling well. If it's not the hands, wrists, or arms, it's the back, neck, or butt.
help for stiff neck
I have many severe problems with my neck (which is one of the reasons I am on SS disability). Take a long mens tube sock and fill with rice and some lavender. Either tie the end or sew it close. Heat in the microwave, then hang it around your neck. It will work wonders. This also helps sore shoulders as well.
Stiff neck
What really helped me, and I know they are expensive, but an Aeron chair was the best MT investment I made, especially the one with the swivel arms that you can pivot to the right position for your keyboard. No more back or neck ache. At least this worked for me.
It is about the norm around here in my neck of the USA. nm
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My neck does hurt too...but...
my wrists usually get super sore when I STOP typing, I guess from not using them so much. If I take a weekend off, I am in severe pain with them, usually the brace works or taking ibuprofen, but now the brace doesn't fit. Thanks for your help!! I have actually thought about trying acupuncture, someone I know did that and they don't have any back pain at all after some sessions, supposed to be covered by my insurance too. Thanks again for your help!
QA is not breathing down MY neck, as I am only the--sm
transcriptionist with a small MTSO, but they may be breathing down the MTSOs neck. All I know is that one doctor in particular, a felon on top of that, has his office QA each report for errors and for line count. If he feels the line count is in error, he demands a return of funds charged...not from me personally, but from the MTSO. My MTSO also has another account that discovered that their transcription company was charging for lines not typed, i.e. ALL lines, and fired them for it. So they DO check. Even doctors do not want to get ripped off. The OP can charge whatever she likes. Maybe 11 cpl in her area is the going rate. That is not for anyone else to decide, but she must be honest above all, or she won't have ANY account for long.
So what neck of the woods are you from?
In other words, where do you live in case this is a little deep for you. I have been a Transcriptionist for over 30 years and it is simply our way of speaking here in the south- has nothing to do with being lazy or unintelligent either one. Even with my southern twang, I still pride myself on my understanding not only of English but what we do for a living every day. No slouch here.
A break? Your arm, your neck or your leg? Your choice...
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