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LIVE LONG, PAIN FREE AND PROSPER!
A NEWSLETTER FOR LIVING |
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You may have noticed some changes going on here at the Hand Center. First, we have a new logo and a new name. Montgomery
County Hand Center is now The Upper Extremity Institute. The changes have come with great symbolic meaning. During my extensive 4-year research writing my book, Light at the End of the Carpal Tunnel-A Guide to Understanding and Relief from the Pain of Nerve Problems
, I became much more familiar with the many alternatives which are effective in treating orthopaedic and nerve problems.
Although we have always incorporated these into our treatment programs, we have over the course of time improved our abilities to apply these to our patients. We have expanded the services greatly here at
The Upper Extremity Institute and now offer many more alternative treatments for pain and nerve syndromes. We have added massage therapy, reflexology, and Tai Chi just to name a few. The response has
been overwhelmingly positive and we have helped many patients whom I previously thought could not be given any relief. All with simply a change in direction and many without surgery.Our therapy
services have also been expanded and our already excellent therapy department has been even more intricately integrated and woven into the overall philosophy and program of The Upper Extremity Institute.
We are following in the footsteps of today's great thinkers: Andrew Wiel, Bernie Siegel,
Herbert Benson and others who believe that there is a direct mind-body connection. We believe that our patients have the ability to heal themselves. Here at The Upper Extremity Institute, our
philosophy is that if we can educate our patients and teach them about their problems, then they can help to heal themselves. Yes, there are times when therapy, medications, and even surgery are necessary, but we
are finding that our ability to offer our patients alternatives and teach them about their disease goes far beyond the results expected from standard medical treatment today. In a world where HMO's rules and
regulations dictate limited, quick, impersonal and "efficient" care, we still maintain the philosophy that the most important aspect of healing is the doctor and healing practitioners' relationship with their
patients. The Bottom line -"We Still Care".Our new logo emphasizes our belief that peace, awareness and good old-fashioned motherly caring goes a long way in a world where there is just too little of this.
From the results we have been seeing and the feedback I have gotten on my lecture tours, there is no doubt our patients and the public agree. Thanks for helping us move forward and sending in your friends, families
and others you simply meet on the street who you know have problems we can help. Your support and confidence as our patients, referral people, and advocates have allowed an institution that cares to keep on
growing and have an even stronger voice in a crazy world. Thanks, Scott M. Fried, Editor in Chief.
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ERGONOMIC WORK STATION |
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Ergonomics is the science of arranging your work area to fit your body. In reality, many repetitive strain injuries are a
result of people trying to adapt their bodies to their environment. Hopefully, you will be able to utilize some basic concepts to modify your own work area and prevent injury.
The importance of
modifying your work station is vitally important to promoting a healthy lifestyle. Following these simple guidelines will create an ergonomically correct work station:
1. Chair
Ideally your chair should be adjustable. Adjust the height so your feet are flat on the floor and the back of the chair So that your low back is supported. The armrests should also be in a comfortable
position.
If you do not have an adjustable chair, placing a pillow or towel roll behind your back will provide support. Also using a foot rest or a phone book will help align your feet properly.
2. Computer
The monitor should be directly in front of you with the top of the screen at eye level.
Adjustable work stations are available to purchase but you might also check for adjustable
monitor stands as well. 3. Keyboard
Your keyboard should be placed under your fingertips and a wrist rest will help support your wrists from repetitive strain injury, by keeping your wrists
straight.
Try to keep your shoulders relaxed and your elbows at a ninety degree right angle.
Ergonomic keyboards are available in most computer stores or Ergonomics magazines/catalogs. These
keyboards help to position your hands correctly to again avoid strain.
Adjustable keyboard trays that mount underneath a desk are available for purchase also. These might be helpful if several people use
the same station. 4. Mouse
Position your mouse directly next to the keyboard on a mouse pad. A wrist rest for your mouse is also helpful. Hopefully, these
ideas will enable you to keep yourself healthy and prevent injury. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our therapy staff at The Upper Extremity Institute. Back to Top |
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WHAT DO I DO—I HAD CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY—AND I STILL HAVE PAIN |
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We must see at least 1 or 2 patients a week who have been told they had carpal tunnel syndrome; they had surgery and still have
pain. Sometimes the pain is not as severe as it was but the most common complaint is that "I had surgery, my arm is still not right and I have been told there is nothing more that can be done for me."The term
"carpal tunnel syndrome" is indeed a misnomer. There are very few people today who have "simple old time carpal tunnel syndrome:" This is a classic problem and defined in a very specific manner indicating
numbness and tingling, pain and discomfort which awoke people at night. It was a localized problem, and back in the mid 1900's often responded to a simple operation. The reason it responded was because the
demands on the hands were not great. People were not expected to go back to high-paced jobs with regular typing, keying, reaching, pulling, pushing activities. They were not working on scanners at grocery
stores or manufacturing plants where highly repetitive activities were required of the hand and arm. We have come to realize today that many patients who are told that they have "carpal tunnel syndrome" have
much more severe problems with possibly nerve involvement at the elbows and shoulders and neck. Patients who have thoracic outlet syndrome or cervical disc disease often continue to have symptoms in spite of
appropriately performed surgery. Many times this is not that the surgery was wrong but simply that the care the patient had post op was not ideal. Some people are sent back to work, which puts heavy demands
on their hands very early on and they develop recurrent scarring about the nerve and recurrent carpal tunnel problems. The literature shows that 20% or greater of people who have carpal tunnel surgery have
recurrent or continued problems. If you have surgery and continue to be symptomatic, you should be aware that you are not at the end of your journey. Many options are available and the earlier in the post
op you are, the better your chances. Very often modifications of activities, splinting at night, therapy and alternative healing and medical treatments are quite effective in decreasing or even eliminating pain,
discomfort and dysfunction.Remember, "All that burns is not carpal tunnel." If you have a question about your hand or arm or you have a friend or employee who is still having problems after surgery, don't ignore their
complaints. These problems could escalate or worsen. Please feel free to give us a call at The Upper Extremity Institute at 610-277-1990. Our staff can answer your questions or will
certainly be happy to schedule an appointment to full evaluate you. Remember: pain is a warning sign and ignoring it and its progression usually means long term that your problem could be getting worse. If
you do have pain, follow your own intuition and common sense and don't ignore these signs if someone, even a physician, tells you it is "normal". Scott M. Fried, Editor in Chief.
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HANDY HINTS |
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- Most accidents which occur at home do so because the wrong tool is being used for the job. A good example is cutting frozen bages or separating frozen hot dogs with a sharp knife; invariably if you don't
get the point, your hand will.
- In case of sprain or a new injury, the standard recommendation is ice for the first 24 hours and then heat or ice, whichever feels better after that. If within 12 to 24 hours the pain does not subside,
please contact your physician.
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1515
DeKalb Pike, Suite 100 Bluebell, PA 19422 Phone 610-277-1990 Fax 610-277-2007 |
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Web site by Remus Consultants
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Copyright © 1999 Upper Extremiety Institute and Dr. Scott Fried |
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