Basically i have self diagnosed myself with RSI since i heard about it and researched it, its a repetitive problem in my neck and lower back and i have had it since i was 12/13 and i am now almost 20. Im pretty much convinced i have it as when i was 12 i got my first laptop for christmas (worst laptop i have ever had in my life, it probably caused me alot of stress just having it alone!)

Anyway i didnt know anything about how to sit properly when using a laptop and so on, and at this time i was interested in learning programming so i would sit hunched over my laptop on a wooden chair from about 7pm to 4 or 5am almost every night. When i was 16 i went to college and we learned that RSI cannot be cured so basically i have it for life (correct me if im wrong)

I know smoking green is supposed to help people with back problems and so on but whenever i am stoned its still there and i have to constantly be cracking my neck and stretching my neck in every direction until it cracks. Does anyone else on here have RSI? its starting to really get to me as i just dont know what to do with it or even how to ease the pain for a while

if anyone can help that would be great

cheers

Dangerous to self diagnose yourself mate. I would go and get a professional opinion. Hope you get better.

P.S Don't phone NHS Direct - they will tell you you have swine flu.

I thought I'd post about my similar experiences and problems I have had from computer use and problems I still have now.

I have always been a very heavy computer user, I started learning to program when I was about 10 years old and spent every hour I could on the computer. At that time I used to use the computer by kneeling underneath a coffee table. I had problems with my knees for a few years after but then it went away and not really had any problems like that since. Also I'm sure my computer use caused me the need to wear glasses

Now onto a problem similar to you are described, which I personally would not refer to as RSI. I started getting a lot of problems with my upper back, from being hunched over a keyboard all day at work. I think part of the problem was the seating, but I could just never get comfortable. It would get so bad that I would have to quit the job, and even then I would have pain in my upper back and would be constantly trying to stretch it. This went on for a year or so, with me constantly having a bad back, doing a job for a bit (temp jobs, typing all day doing data-entry) then having a rest and going on JSA until eventually felt I had to go back and earn money again. These jobs don't give people proper breaks and I also blame that as one of the reasons. I felt like I would have to endure problems of that nature and they would only get worse so tried to stop doing that type of work, where I was sat all day using a computer, or jobs where I was free to take a break.

One of the ideas I came up with to help was to strengthen my back muscles. I felt like I had some curvature of my upper spine and that having stronger back muscles would help me sit straighter and pull my shoulders squarer. I trained myself to do handstand pressups and balance handstands and developed a lot more strength in my back which I think helped. At that time in my job I was allowed to take breaks whenever I want, and I was doing varied things and not stuck constantly on a computer, although was on one most of the time so didn't really have any problems.

I think if I had to go back to doing that same level of computer usage that my problems would return again. Since I was made redundant from my main job, I did other work after but not anything where I was stuck constantly on a computer.

So just to give you some hope that it is not necessarily permanent, I suffered horrendous problems for years, but haven't had any problems at all recently. I would make sure you take proper breaks, have proper seating, rest if appropriate from that type of work, or cut it down and try some back strengthening exercises or some yoga.

I do have a type of RSI injury which was probably caused ultimately from a complete lack of strength in my wrists/arms. This occurred before I strengthened myself up a bit, but I was lying down and playing a game on the xbox with my hands in an unusual position, then something happened and I got a tremendous pain in my wrist, and couldn't move my wrist for a second. My Ulna bone and moved up 1 or 2 mm, the pain eventually subsided but I still get problems with my left wrist from time to time and cannot twist open a jar with my left hand without encountering significant pain. This injury is probably most likely a tear of the Triquetral Fibro-cartlidge complex connecting the ulna to the Triquetral bone in the wrist, or possibly some other wrist ligament damage instead.

I have a tested touch typing speed of 75wpm at agencies, but can audio type closer to 100wpm and with several practice runs and on a laptop keyboard can do a typing test 120wpm+. All this for years and the xbox controller does me most damage to my wrists. I can sit on a computer now and type and I have no problems, I am just very wary of ever doing a job like that again which will cause me so much uncomfort. Coming home from a 9-5 computer job, then spending 5-2am on one at home probably didn't help either

I totaly understand the part you say you felt like you had a curve in your back, i forgot to mention i am worried i may have a kink or a curve on my spine.

I feel like i need to toughen up as well, i didnt think getting stronger back muslces would help me but it does seem to make sense

I think it is quite a common complaint of very heavy computer users, I wouldn't call it at RSI type injury. I think it's literally caused from being 'hunched' over a computer keyboard for too much time, without proper breaks or seating. It literally got that bad though that I just couldn't continue and needed to go back on JSA for a rest, I would be in constant pain in my upper neck/back/shoulder region, stretching all day to try to make it better. Can't say for sure if having stronger back muscles helped but I think it did. If you rest more while working and exercise a bit it may go away.

Not RSI.

I get the crook neck & have to crack it or I get a dull aching feeling. I might have more pain than just an ache but because I am on strong meds for my lumbar spine I couldn't say for sure

But I would recommend getting yourself off to see an Osteopath for a few sessions, it might cost up to £200 in total but it should straighten you up providing you are with a decent Osteopath. You'll know if it's going to help after just 1 or 2 sessions, so if it is not for you then you are looking at £35 - £80.

You cannot put a price on your back, if you feel like you are having problems like you are then you'll be a fool not to try and get it sorted without professional help & the NHS will just give you pain killers at best.

Good luck

i had a very simelar thing in my early 20's

bad computer posture has squished 2 vertibrate (sp?) too close together as i was sitting too hunched up, and that forced the disk to push into the nerves that run down the spine... so had odd pain transfer (ie feeling pain in neck, shoulders etc)

found a decent physio/chiropracter guy who did some clicky clicky squeezing and pushing on the back and it all cleared up within a couple of months. still need to do a few exercises to keep the back straight, but would definatly recomend going to see someone. like someone said above theres no point suffering in silence

(never tries osteo.... heard very good things tho)

Seek a good professional advice. For me it is ridicoulous that at 20 you cannot overcome the problem. However it will need a strong will. You must do Your exercises every day and change your stile of life wich it is not easy at all.



Totally quote that. However since you start from a situation where you have an active inflammation and your movements are spoiled by years of bad habits, you will have to start with good phisyotherapy sessions. It is possible that under the direction of a good sport rehab insitution You will be able to regain your peace of neck in a couple of months. But really it is up to You to save the what can be saved.
find a good sport rehabilitation center where they have proven experience of treating your type of problem. Stick to the schedule and think about giving it 2 or 3 months of try. Think also about massages and not only manipulations.
And act swiftly beacuse if you leave it untread and you get used to it, when you are older you really suffer from it.

Btw, computer spoiled my neck also

PS: good joints are usefull for the stress but since you need an active life be carefull to not over do it
PSPS. Good good luck.

I`d advise getting some gentle swimming in mate, i have a twisted spine and rsi down one side at shoulder height, this due to my job, 20 yrs in floor laying has propper fucked it. Swimming is very good for it though.

Getting a wrist rest may help for the keyboard as well. Well that will help take pressure off your wrists and lessen your chances of developing RSI but probably won't help your bad neck. If it's at the office look around for a decent chair if there is one and take regular breaks away from the keyboard.

i have these symptoms in my neck but didnt know it was a condition! (just thought it was me being soft/unhealthy) but with me being a labourer for ten years i can see the problem for what it is! does any1 know of these exercises that can help? i used to do some weightlifting and was thinking that the funny looking helmet with weights attached (the one boxers use) could maybe help? the only trouble is that most sports shops dont stock this kind of equipment. any ideas would be brilliant!!! many thanks!!!!

Like folks say - don't self diagnose! Go see your Doc, get a proper diagnosis


Sometimes true, but by no means always.
I find it helps potentiate pain killing meds, and also helps lift one's mind off the pain. But it is of little pain killing value on its own, for many of us.
Its worth mentioning too, that sometimes dope can make certain pain symptoms worse. Yes, I'm afraid that's true - when certain areas start to become pianful I must lay of the weed completely. It makes the pain worse as well as disabling me from handling the profound psychological impact of acute/chronic pain. So if my neck and face start to play up, I really do need to lay off the weed bloody pronto. I wouldn't wish facial neuraligias on anyone, no way; and being stoned when they come is a complete bastard of a nightmare
But mostly weed helps to relax and ease the mind, with day-to-day back pains etc. And if you use prescription pain-meds, be aware that smoking dope can sometimes make them feel a lot more potent and powerful.

After serious thinking (and a big fat pipe of lovely organic blue cheese from willy@haarlem) I have a second thought:

Actually joints would halp in onther way....you stay too much in front of the computer BUT, if You smoke, You will be forced to make some excercise since You will have the munchies. Let's assume that you will stay in front of the pc for six hours. You will necessarely need 3 pipes...one every two hours. this way You will have the munchies for 3 times. Also, rolling and grinding, it's strongly reccomended as hand excercise.

dont forget the toilet breaks!!! (using the main muscle n all that)

Do some pilates for your back, neck.

mate, go and see doctor! If it's been going on for years i can't understand why you haven't. Make an appointment tomorow morning please!

Hello there i have exactly the same problem with my back and im 21 years old also been on computers for years and whilst in college learned about RSI, if u have good quality weed /resin then its will kill the effects of the pain, as it has been used for years to kill pain, my backache is right at the lower part of my back and sometimes it aches so much and i will then have to get my g/f to click my back for me. there is alot of contaminated weed around so if you are going to a person on the street or afriend for it then there is a good chance your getting like lead,coke cola sprayed over it loads of different things.,although idf you are growing your own then ther eare alot of diffreent strain s that give you different highs. some just mong you out others will totally knock you out (which is excellent when in pain).
seriously if you ask me mate Dont Go For Contamination, Plant a Seed and Save A Nation.