Hello, my name is Eliza (9/june/1986) and I would like to request some advice and guidance, please.. 3 months ago, I started working at a bank. It was never the job of my dreams, but I thought that I could work there for a few years (2-3) until I get my degree in Education, which is the career I would like to follow. The problem is that a month ago I started getting severe pain and numbness in my arm and hand, due to the long hours on the computer. I went to the doctors, who said that the computer is the problem,  took pills, did physical therapy, but I still am in pain when I use the PC for a long time and my job requires 8 hours straight on the computer.
I am so disappointed and afraid that I will get permanent damage to my arm that I am considering quitting this job. What do you think, should I do this or should I stay? Thank you so much for your help, I appreciate your time and effort.

Hello Eliza,



The forum rules concerning us giving readings about medical matters which should only be discussed with a qualified doctor prevents me from answering your question. Consequently everything which follows is my own personal opinion, and not to be regarded in any way as a reading

I am not a doctor and therefore cannot diagnose your condition, which sounds very much like what the media and doctors call a repetitive strain injury (RSI) caused by bad computer practices and over use of certain tendons and muscles.

There could well be something else involved here that only a qualified professional could detect and prescribe the appropriate treatment for, and it would be highly irresponsible and legally dangerous of me NOT to advise you to immediately see your doctor or physiotherapist about this.

Personally in my opinion only there is no way I would be considering giving up my job if I were in your situation, until I had first checked out all of my available options with both my doctor and employer.

It may be that they could modify your work place to make it more ergonomically friendly, allowing you to keep your job in the present highly uncertain economic and financial climate.

Your employer may also be open to putting you temporarily on lighter duties where the affected body part may get a rest from being overused for a while.

It mainly depends on what your doctor and/or physiotherapist advise is the best possible course of action for you to take, as well as how much your employer values the work which you are doing, and does not want to lose you unless it is absolutely necessary.

When it comes down to you making a decision between your job and your health and future employability (honestly I do not feel that it will in this case), then your health must take top priority.

But on the other hand there are probably few things in this life more destructive to one's self confidence and self respect than serious financial difficulties, combined with long term unemployment.

And both of these will not only make any existing health problem that much worse than it already was, but you will in addition not have the money to get the professional help and advice that you so badly and urgently need and deserve.

Can you afford to be unemployed for too long at a time?

How do you also get time to study for your certificate of Education, when you are doing eight hours straight at he bank on the computer, day after day?

The radiation from the computer monitor alone would surely be seriously and negatively affecting your ability to concentrate and remember your course material.

And making any pain which you are already experiencing in your arms and hands that much worse in the process, by significantly lowering your pain tolerance.

Seek immediate advice about this painful and restricting problem from your doctor, specialist and your employer,so that they can work together to help you to keep your job, if it is at all possible. You may or may not need to give up your job, so check things out with both or all three of them thoroughly, before doing something unwise which you could soon live to regret doing but not be able to easily reverse if at all.

Take good care of yourself and get the facts first before taking any further action in this direction.

Love, Light and Healing,

EoT  

Thank you so much for your thoughtful answer..

It was my pleasure, and here's hoping that your overall health is soon on the mend.

"Ergonomics for Computer Workstations"

http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/ergo_computers.htm

Cheers,

EoT