Archive for the ‘chronic pain’ Category

Virus and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Linked, Scientists Say

Thursday, January 7, 2010 18:38 No Comments

Scientists recently discovered an interesting link in the research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a virus that blocks immune system, or antibodies to the virus, were found in prostate cancer patients, then in a high percentage of chronic fatigue sufferers:

…cell biologist Judy Mikovits of the Whittemore Peterson Institute in Reno, Nevada, tested 101 chronic fatigue patients. [...]

This was posted under category: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, chronic pain Tags:

Weekly stretch: Down Facing Dog

Thursday, November 19, 2009 22:25 No Comments

Downward facing dog is one of my faaavorite yoga poses because it’s a great stretch and strengthening exercise for the whole body, plus it’s relaxing.
Here’s the original down facing dog:

Photo credit: Ashlynn
What a cutie. To do the yoga version of this pose, get on your hands and knees, and push off the ground. Straighten [...]

This was posted under category: Back pain, chronic pain, stiffness Tags:

FAQ– Why Are Good Ergonomic Products So Expensive?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 19:11 1 Comment

Question: Ergonomic mice, keyboards, and other products are made from the same basic materials as their standard, non-ergonomic counterparts. So why are they so expensive?
Answer: They aren’t mass produced in the same way as regular keyboards, mice, and so on, so the costs to make them are higher. When items are in high demand, they [...]

This was posted under category: DeQuervain's Syndrome, arm and wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pain, elbow pain, epicondylitis, injury prevention, radial tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tennis elbow, tenosynovitis Tags: , ,

Why Rain Causes Joint Stiffness for Arthritis and RSI

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 22:34 3 Comments

The first major storm of the season hit the San Francisco Bay Area today, causing freeway snarls, nearly–drowned cars—and a lot of stiffness in my joints.
Why does rain and weather change affect joint stiffness? I had to do some research to find out.
Arthritis sufferers in particular have been reporting this phenomenon for many years, [...]

This was posted under category: Treatment, arm and wrist pain, arthritis, chronic pain, leg and foot pain, stiffness Tags: , , , , ,

New Ways to Interact with Computers: Touching a Holograph

Friday, September 18, 2009 19:01 No Comments

A while back I wrote about my vision for a future way of interacting with computers—a program that would let you use full body movements to control your mouse and keyboard. The program would accommodate your fitness level and help you get exercise and stay strong, healthy, and active while getting work done.
So it’s exciting [...]

This was posted under category: Treatment, chronic pain, wellness Tags: , , ,

Yoga for Crafters and RSI sufferers

Thursday, September 10, 2009 22:06 No Comments

Computer users aren’t the only ones who get Repetitive stress injuries. Many people who do crafts and tasks with their hands, such as knitters, crocheters, or other creative people, tend to get repetitive injuries too.
But you don’t have to give up your after-computer hobbies just because they’re also hand-intensive. You just need to give your [...]

This was posted under category: Back pain, DeQuervain's Syndrome, Stress, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, arm and wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pain, elbow pain, epicondylitis, injury prevention, neck pain, radial tunnel syndrome, shoulder pain, stiffness, tendonitis, tennis elbow, tenosynovitis, wellness Tags: , ,

Remember the Eagle with Each Breath You Take

Friday, September 4, 2009 19:38 No Comments

The Huichol tribe of central Mexico has a rich cosmology embodied in stories, ceremonies and art. They believe in animal spirits, and when they are sick rely on their shamans to heal them and cast out negative spirits.  In college, one of my classes was visited from a man who grew up in New York [...]

This was posted under category: chronic pain, wellness Tags: ,

Learning How to Combat Chronic Pain and Celebrate Life

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 18:14 1 Comment

Sorry I have been MIA lately: I have been out enjoying my pain-free life. I remember how devastating and debilitating it was to be in constant pain, and wondering if I would ever get free of it, or whether I would be weak and suffering forever. I guess when you’re 24, a chronic injury seems [...]

This was posted under category: Back pain, Treatment, chronic pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, stiffness Tags: , , , ,

Foot Pain, Arch Supports and the Elusive Diagnosis…”Posterior Tibial Tenosynovitis”

Monday, March 23, 2009 20:47 2 Comments

This is a post about my struggle and healing from foot pain, which turned out to be a different kind of repetitive stress injury: posterior tibial tenosynovitis. Scroll to the bottom if you’re looking for a list of good brands for arch support and good shoes.
(Or you can read the full version for all the [...]

This was posted under category: chronic pain, leg and foot pain, plantar fasciitis, tenosynovitis Tags: ,

Apple Revisits Ergonomics with a New Compact Keyboard

Monday, March 9, 2009 19:53 No Comments

Apple just introduced a wired, compact keyboard that gets rid of the number keypad on the right, making it more ergonomic for users. From my perspective it’s a great step, but not everyone agrees — some rely heavily on those number pads and don’t want to be without one.
The new compact keyboard certainly isn’t [...]

This was posted under category: arm and wrist pain, chronic pain, elbow pain, epicondylitis, tennis elbow Tags: , ,