Pains in my arm and my laptop? What is going on?

Question

I have this old scare on my left arm. I have not had any trouble with it till recently when I noticed something. Anytime I use the laptop, I have this severe pain in my arm. I suspected radiation but when I went to the public library and used theirs, I did not feel the pain. I mentioned it to a friend and he explained that in the public library the radiation is distributed in a wider space so I cannot feel anything. I stopped using the laptop for a while and the pain stopped. I have resumed using it and as I am typing now, the pain is unbearable. What do I do?
I have read many postings saying that radiation from laptop is minimal, but could this be true? Help before I am killed by my obsession with computers. Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

its repetitive use that does it ... u need to change positions u normally use it in .. get an external mouse maybe ...

Answer 2

Hi D,
Your pain isn't being caused by the laptop itself directly, like radiation, but more likely, the position you are in while you are using and typing on the laptop, i.e., sitting, lying down, leaning over, and such. I used a cash register at a dept. store for 11 years, and after about 9 of those years, started having pain and soreness in my wrists, and constant numbness in some of my fingertips, which after seeing a doctor, found out I had carpal tunnel syndrome. I had to wear a wrist splint for about 2 months, (no surgery) and that took care of the problem. Since your pain goes away when you stop using the laptop, how you are positioned seems to be the source of your pain. I would strongly suggest seeing your family doctor, or area pharmacist, for more expert advice, and in the meantime, only using your laptop in more conventional, recommended positions (sitting comfortably in a chair at a desk where the keyboard is not too high or low for your hands and arms, so you can type and read the screen with reasonable comfort). The FCC, Underwriters Lab, and Better Business Bureau would never allow a manufacturer to produce an item for public use that emitted anything close to lethal radiation levels at all!!!

Answer 3

If it is unbearable, stop typing. If you think it is just because you are in your house, and not the public library, you should probably not be on a computer anyway, you could tear something up. However, if you just really, really want to find out if it is the laptop causing the pain, have a friend bring their laptop over, and place it in the same location as your laptop, and try again. If the pain is still there, turn the laptop off, unplug it, and go to the library and use their special anti-radiation computers.

Answer 4

It is not radiation! It is the laptop's poor ergonomics. Laptops are not designed to be used for long periods. The incorrect level of the screen and of the keyboard causes pain in the neck, wrist and arms.

BUT many offices have implemented a workaround. When laptops are brought to the office, they attach a keyboard and mouse on a tray at the correct level. Then they either prop up the screen by placing the laptop on top of a phonebook or hook up a monitor that is at eye level so you do not strain your neck looking downwards.

Many offices have also installed Workpace software and micro-breaks have almost become mandatory. Others with minimal requirement for mobility have gone back to the desktop and just use a flash drive or external drive for mobility.

Answer 5

Wow I've been in the Computer Business for 14 years and never heard of that. Maybe that's why I'm balding?? Pain usually comes from repeatedly banging your head against the keys. All kidding aside, More than likely it's an ergonomic issue. You need to be sensitive to where you are and what repetitive tasks you are doing with your laptop. You could always try an external keyboard and mouse just to see if it's your location and ergonomic alignment.

Good Luck