Back in Business

You must be wondering what was keeping me from writing on the blog for so long. First, the lack of some noteworthy themes, although some ideas were brewing in my head all the time, but the second reason was a compelling cause for me to stop all my computer related activities. To tell you I was completely beached. It's so surprising that the computers hardly made a mark in our life some years back but now they are so much a part of our lives that we have started contracting computer related diseases. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is the name. It's a kind of RSI (Repetitive Stress Syndrome) that has struck me. Sounds dreadful, is it? Feels as bad as it sounds.

Of course it was me who invited this trouble. It gives you pain in your wrist, hand, chest, ribs and your neck on the affected side. When it gets worse it freezes your shoulders and back, to the extent that even lying down to rest, is a task.

Now, why am I trying to freak you out with this ugly experience of mine. Truly, I have been lucky to have been detected of this on the right time and I would like to educate as many people as I can, about this simple yet dreadful phenomenon, because everyone of us is equally vulnerable of it. If overlooked, RSI can render you useless after some time. Simple tasks like holding a cup or a pen will leave you in tears.

RSI happens to those who are subjected to sitting in one position for too long, like sitting in a chair and staring at the computer screen for long without moving your limbs and particularly when you are craning your neck. The irony is that it can happen to housewives too. Worse affected are those who work on their systems in non-ergonomic conditions. Having an ergonomically designed desk to work on is a must. Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker.

Many orgs even hold some sessions to educate their employees and get their workstations designed ergonomically. But it's the sole responsibility of an individual to mind and watch his/her posture.

In my case it started with some tingling and pain in my right hand's index finger and thumb, moving up and radiating to the back, leaving the right-half torso dull in pain. Seeing an RSI specialist (Dr. Shelza Gupta) really did help. Through physiotherapy the inflamed points were released gradually. Its a science and art of locating the points in the arterial mesh that are under stress thus causing all the pain that comes in spasms. The stress also obstructs the blood flow causing numbness and tingling from time to time. Some ultrasound waves were were also used on the pressure points for a speedy healing.

It did take a few weeks to get rid of the pain but the exercise was indeed fruitful. Some stretching movements were taught that I am practicing studiously. Now, I have resumed my jogging session, and my work in a full fledged manner, but the problem hasn't resolved completely as I still can't over strain myself if I intend to wake up pain free every morning, and in no time even the slightest of symptoms will subside, I hope. So, watch your posture while at work. Take care.

Tip: Switch your mouse from one hand to another every fifteen days. Believe me it works.

For Your Eyes Only

Any camera, no matter how big is the optical zoom or how small is the lens, can match the capacity of an eye. There seems to be a world of difference in what an eye can capture and that a camera can. Even in still images, that is when there is no breeze, the colors are more livid, the leaves look crispier. Eyes are our window to the world; open them wide to all the magic out there and let the light in.