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Bill Loguidice
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Joined: 12/31/1969
My Carpal Tunnel/Joint Damage Story

I'm 33 at present and have been bodybuilding since about 15. I've been using computers and eventually mice much longer than that (I think I started around age 7, with videogames a bit sooner, not counting toddler Pong). After college and in the workforce, it did in fact take a significant toll on my wrists, particulary with heavy typing and mouse use as part of a full work day. I eventually had to switch to natural keyboards (the split kind) and thumb trackballs instead of regular keyboards and mice. It took a little time to get used to, but it's what stopped me from getting full-blown carpal tunnel syndrome. I feel it has even helped to reverse the damage as it has had time to heal, even though I'm on the computer these days as much as ever. I'm even able to use regular keyboards and mice on occasion when I have to, though I do try to keep that to a minimum.

As for the working out, heavy lifting is tough on the joints. I use joint supplements to help combat that and that helps considerably. Connective tissue is very sensitive and there's no reason not to use regenerative supplements for that. After all these years of heavy lifting, the only negative effect has been on my back, for which I go to a chiropractor regularly now. It's possible though that I didn't originally injure it at the gym, but regardless, I have to stretch it out regularly and I don't go as heavy on compound movements anymore, like squats. No big deal really.

Finally, with gaming, it depends on the type of game played and the controller. For instance, I can make my hands/wrists go numb/bruise my fingers/etc. when playing something like Fight Night Round 3, be it on the Xbox 360 or PSP. Certain games require movements that for whatever don't sit well with my particular structure. Another thing is that my home arcade panel on my arcade cabinet has a relatively steep angle and that can also cause discomfort. Bottom line, the wrists and joints are very sensitive things and one must exhibit common sense and look for ways to minimize or change off on the most repetitive motions (like I did by replacing standard mice and keyboards).

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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[ My collection ]
[ http://www.MythCore.com ]

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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.

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