Court reporting can be physically demanding. This may not be apparent by watching a court reporter quietly taking down the verbatim record. It may appear that he or she is not physically putting out much effort when compared to other jobs. But if you’ve been a court reporter for very long, you know how physically draining a full day of writing can be. When done for a number of years, some court reporters develop painful conditions related to working long hours sitting in one spot.

One of the most common injuries reported in office workers is repetitive strain injury. This is the type of injury that happens from sitting for long hours at a computer, often in the neck, back and arms. Court reporters are especially susceptible to these injuries due to the long hours spent sitting very still in one position as we work at our stenographic machines. Understanding these injuries and taking preventative measures may allow us to avoid many of these aches and pains which can develop into a serious condition.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Because of our sitting position at our machines, with our arms stretched forward on the keyboard, some court reporters develop carpal tunnel syndrome. According to WebMD.com, carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness, tingling, weakness and other problems in the hand because of pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. Pain and tingling can be accompanied by the loss of grip strength in the hands.

Prevention

The repetitive motions we use as we write eventually cause nerve damage that results in these symptoms. Even if you are not experiencing symptoms related to repetitive stress injury, it is wise to pay attention to certain conditions that may cause you trouble in the future. To avoid problems altogether, mayoclinic.com suggests the following:

• Reduce your force and relax your grip.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Avoid bending the wrist when possible.
• Sit with a straight posture.

WebMD.com suggests that if you are beginning to feel symptoms, you should try to avoid such nerve damage by employing some of the following measures:

• Stop activities that cause numbness and pain.
• Rest your wrist longer between activities.
• Ice your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes 1 or 2 times an hour.
• Try taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
• Wear a wrist splint at night. This takes pressure off your median nerve.

Treatment

Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome range from non-surgical remedies to surgery which can be effective in alleviating the painful condition. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke suggests non-surgical treatments such as pain medications, exercises and alternative treatments such as acupuncture.

If the condition lasts for at least six months, surgery may be an option. Surgery involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve. Surgery is done under local anesthesia and does not require an overnight hospital stay.

If you are experiencing possible carpal tunnel symptoms, you should consult your doctor. He or she will help you discern what is the best course of action to treat your symptoms.

Back and Neck Pain

Another common injury for court reporters is back and neck pain, again for the same reason as carpal tunnel syndrome, that we sit in one spot for long periods of time with our arms extended. Pain can be experienced as a feeling of fatigue in the back and neck, to severe pain that requires time off work.

Prevention

To avoid working yourself into the painful stage that requires time off work, here are some preventive measures you should begin using, according to WebMD.com.

• Get more exercise.
• Watch your weight.
• If you smoke, stop.
• Be aware of your sleeping position.
• Pay attention to posture.

Because there are so many different types of back and neck injuries, it is important to consult your physician if you experience pain and discomfort. He or she will discuss options for treatment.

Computer Vision Syndrome

So many people are experiencing vision-related problems due to prolonged use of computers and electronics that the American Optometric Association has a name for it, Computer Vision Syndrome. This syndrome is defined as a group of eye and vision-related problems with symptoms including headaches, blurred vision and neck/shoulder pain that result from prolonged computer use.

Prevention

Court reporters spend hours in front of computer screens when not in front of their steno machines. We are prime candidates for these types of overuse injuries. Here is a list of actions you can take to avoid developing these symptoms suggested by the occupational safety and health magazine, EHSToday.com.

• Place your computer screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and a little bit below eye level.
• Use a document holder placed next to your computer screen.
• Change your lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections.
• Use an adjustable chair.
• Choose screens that can tilt and swivel.
• Use an adjustable keyboard.

Treatment

If you are experiencing headaches or blurred vision, you should consult an optometrist. Be sure to explain the problems you are having so he or she can help you decide on a course of action to alleviate symptoms.

Avoid Repetitive Injuries

The job of being a court reporter can be physically demanding. Those who have been court reporters for many years sometimes experience painful conditions. Being aware of the potential injuries that can occur over time, you can take action today to avoid these conditions and continue to work pain free.

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