Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1993 16:23:42 CST From: David Austin Subject: Comfort Keyboard Report To: Multiple recipients of list SOREHAND I have had a Comfort Keyboard System for about 10 weeks now and have been meaning to report to the list sooner. Tendinitis has always been my problem (in the forearms). I've never had any carpal tunnel symptoms. My early symptoms were fatigue (then pain) in the lower forearms. It has been severe enough to be on the edge of giving up computers for the last year or so.At some point, the pain moved more to the elbow, sometimes shoulder area, in particular to the outside of the forearm near the elbow. I tell this because I believe that the Comfort has significantly helped this near-elbow-forearm area of tendons. It does this by being able to rotate the keyboard (my left hand) to about 75 degrees (near vertical). I had a strong feeling (before getting it) that this rotation would be helpful and it has. I am now able even to do some strengthening exercises (whereas before I could never find anything I could tolerate). I have the right hand (dominant) set about 45 degrees and the numeric keypad flat. I am more convinced that pronation (flat keyboard) is bad because of experience yesterday with a mouse. I did a moderate amount of only mousing with my good arm (with a support) and those same near elbow tendons hurt. I found myself wanting to be able to do the click part with the mouse rotated 90 degrees. It took only an hour or so to get used to the keyboard (although some things will always be slightly awkward). The touch I find to be very light (someone else complained about it being hard to press the keys). There are Cradle Arm Supports (not pictured in their literature) which are basically big foam pillows which you rest the side of your hand on. You need the extra height since the keyboard parts are rotated up. You need about 6" of desk space in front for the pillows. In my opinion, a wrist rest of some sort is mandatory for everyone. If you are holding your arms up to be in keyboarding position, you are going to burn out those muscles. I was previously using 2 2x2's (stacked). The keyboard has rudimentary macro capabilities builtin. You can map any *single* key to any keystroke sequence. I rarely use the numeric keypad so that increases the number of available keys. I do not know if the Comfort Keyboard will help other problems or not, but I am happy with it myself. Its adjustability is a major plus, (although the process is slightly awkward). It comes with a 30 day return period (although 15 per cent restocking turns out to be steep) but the salesman claimed they had hardly got any back. It is not a cure all, but in conjunction with other methods posted on this list (ice, rest, posture, RELAX) has brought me back from the brink. While I'm here, something that I have seen others mention only in passing that is Very Important for me is the concept of gripping things too hard. One day as my arms were hurting, I realized that I was carrying my plate to the table and was gripping it with way too much force. Sitting in a chair, I was gripping the arm rest tightly, etc. Don't do these things. Become aware. RELAX. ***************************************************************** David Austin - University of Missouri (314) 882-0168 muccgw.mokpdavd@ssgate.missouri.edu ****************************************************************