Comfort at Your Computer: Body Awareness Training for Pain-Free Computer Use

by Paul Linden

"[ Comfort at Your Computer ] is an excellent resource for anyone who uses a computer. True to its title, the book shows the reader in clear and easy to understand steps how to use a computer in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556433220
• ISBN13: 9781556433221
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books
• Length: 313 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent

I've developed intense pain from using the mouse (both on right and left hands). I was doing a lot of graphic work, lots of double clicking and dragging. Going weekly to the chiropractor relieved 20% of the pain. After one session with a Feldenkreis practioner, 80% of the pain was gone. She lent me the 1st edition of this book, which is what the review is based on. I've taken Feldenkreis lessons before, but never noticed much difference. I now realize that this pain has raised my awareness levels of my body in a way I didn't know before. Now I can do simple Feldenkreis lessons at home and feel a definite difference in muscles being looser and moving better. This book is great on raising my body awareness while I am at the computer. I've professional training in safety and ergonomics. I learned more from this book that was not covered in previous professional training. Understanding about the proper pelvis position while sitting and how it affects your arms was an eye opener. The general public has a misunderstanding of what good posture is supposed to look like.The only thing I would recommend is a more in depth chapter on the different types of mice (pointing devices) and keyboards available out there, their pros and cons. Having to choose a new pointing device and keyboard for myself has been a daunting task. I've already returned 2 keyboards with centrally located touchpads that relieved some of the pain, but not all. I'm now considering a vertical mouse and the comfort keyboard, which would keep my hands in the vertical position. Maybe this is covered in the new book edition or maybe this topic is too individual to be covered in a generic book.As the author mentioned to me in an e-mail: If you sensitize yourself to feelings of balance and ease in your body, you will be better able to detect which ergonomic devices are actually helpful.I particularly enjoyed having him respond to specific questions I posed. Highly recommended!

A *very, very* useful book

I completely disagree with the review below from 1/29/01. The most important tool to overcome repetitive strain injury is awareness of how you are using your body & how you may be injuring it by the way you move (or by not moving enough!). The exercises in this book help you become much more aware of your posture, body tension, & awkward movements that may be causing your problems. Learning how to relax your body is essential to recovery.Even better, the guidance on how to sit has changed my life. I can finally work at my computer without back pain!BTW, I also recommend Pascarelli's excellent book. These two complement each other nicely.

A boon to computer users

This book changed my life at work. I have to admit, I didn't exactly follow the "program" - I skipped to the section on sitting, which is what interested me. I have a chronic, mild, back problem, and I had searched and searched for a computer chair that would allow me to sit without pain. I had 3 loaner chairs from different companies, after trying about 20 at the display area at my university ergonomics group, and with all of them, my back hurt. Then I read and worked with Paul's book - and now I sit on a not wonderful chair, with a rolled up towel (and a cushion to make up for the seat), and I am comfortable, all day. He teaches you how to sit, how to move, without expensive gadgets. Try it.

Try using your mouse left-handed

Amazingly easy to read, sensible and jargon-free, he knows what works but is persuasive rather than didactic (I originally titles this review "Everyone should use the mouse left-handed" but realized how much better it is to use his appproach). Every page has simple experiments to try to help you discover for yourself the most comfortable, healthy positions for body, desk, computer...The following was an epiphany for me (I'm right-handed) and illustrates his delicate balance between knowing what's good for you and letting you discover it for yourself:"The number pad and cursor control keys are usually on the right side of the keyboard, and that means that when the alphabetic section is centered in front of you, the right end of the keyboard is about six inches further form your body's centerline than is the left end. Most people are right-handed and place the mouse to the right of the keyboard. Notice that if you do so, you will have to hold your arm considerably farther away from your side than if you place your mouse on the left of your keyboard. That extra extension of your arm will result in significant fatigue and strain in your shoulder and neck. It could even affect your back."It is a good idea to put the mouse on the left side of the keyboard--even though for right-handed people it takes a little getting used to...you will get used to it soon, and you will find that it will considerably lessen the work your arm has to do in using the mouse."Absolutely worth finding even though it's out of print. No other book I've seen on ergonomics comes even close.

Nobody ever taught you how to sit WELL before ...

This is absolutely THE source on how to sit and work with a computer. You'll find simple guidelines for workstation ergonomics, eg, proper height for monitor, chair, keyboard, etc. -- and how to know when it's right for each individual. Learn to FEEL when your posture is functionally correct, meaning you are using your body efficiently and are not causing yourself a chronic problem such as carpal tunnel. Mr. Linden approaches his subject from a body awareness perspective -- you try simple movements and quickly learn what works and feel it when you've got it. I have also consulted with Mr. Linden, and have found his approach to posture, movement, and body use to be lucid, direct, and incredibly helpful. Don't be intimidated by the amount of information in the book. There are lots of pictures, and it's organized in functional chapters so you can read the parts you need.