Repetitive Strain Injury – Can the Handshake Mouse Help? by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Modern living and using computers 24/7 is causing an increasing problem with repetitive strain injury (RSI) in the arms and wrists. It is due to repetitive activities (the clue is in the name) and can cause pain and tenderness, with or without tingling, numbness and weakness.

It is important, and indeed a legal requirement, to have your work-station checked, so that your posture at the computer is as good as possible. However the type of computer mouse we use can also make a difference.

BakkerElkhuizen take RSI seriously and have developed different mouse designs, which aim to keep the arm and wrist in a more natural position.

They asked me to road-test a Handshake Mouse, which has a ‘vertical grip’. This means that your hand and wrist is positioned as if you were shaking somebody’s hand (see the diagram).

 

 

Consequently the wrist doesn’t bend sideways as much and the lower arm needs less inward rotation. This reduces the amount of muscle activity required to use it, when compared to using a standard mouse. Thus you can have all of the speed of a mouse (compared to trackballs or touchpads) but without the pain.

The Handshake Mouse has two buttons and a scroll wheel. It also has a powerful laser sensor and the option to choose between 400/1600/3200 DPI (gosh). It’s available as wireless or corded.  It works with Windows Vista, 7,8, 10, and OS X operating systems. It is intended for small/medium-sized hands (their Evoluent model is better for large hands)

The benefits of these vertical mice was demonstrated in 16 volunteers (See Further Information) and other studies, and, with correct training, can reduce the risk factors for RSI.

I have to say, the sample I tested was extremely light and comfortable. and I think I heard my wrist whispering ‘Thank you’.  The buttons were positioned so I didn’t need to move my finger to use them and they required very little pressure. Overall a very comfortable experience.

I don’t see us using computers less over time, so it is well worth doing what we can to reduce risk of RSI, and at around £62, probably money well-spent.

 

 By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

Further Information:

  1. Biomechanics and performance when using a standard and a vertical computer mouse P Quemelo & E Ramos Viera Ergonomics, Vol 56, 2013, Issue 8

 

  1. Upper limb disorders in the workplace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Glorious Thirsk White Rose BookCafe has even more events lined up for April: by Milly Adams

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Thurs 19 April, from 7.30pm at White Rose BookCafe

Local author, Gemma Hogg will be in conversation with James Hogg talking about her new book ‘Stable Lass’. Riding out and mucking in, tales from a Yorkshire racing yard.

 

‘Vividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive – and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss.’ Brough Scott

Tickets £5 each, redeemable against a signed hardback copy of the new book, includes welcome drink. Pre order your signed copy and tickets from White Rose BookCafe tel 01845 524353, or e-mail sales@whiterosebooks.co.uk

 

Thursday 21st June, 7pm for 7.30pm start

In conjunction with the Booksellers Association, in support of the 10th Anniversary of Independent Bookshop Week (IBW), and as part of Pan Macmillan’s ‘Macmillan 175′ celebrations, as well as 21 years of Picador Poetry.

The brainchild of Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, with 4 Poet Laureates plus music and guest local poet, Kate Fox.

 Author Events

 

Thurs 12 April – Michelin Star Chef, Tommy Banks will be here signing copie sof his news book ‘Roots’ (time to be confirmed). A Free Event.

Sat 21 April – Book Signing with Mary Jayne Baker, ‘A Bicycle Made for Two’ from 11am to 12 noon. A Free Event.

 What’s NEW?  SPOTLIGHT ON …    Each Month we’ll feature a genre, author or selection of titles that take our interest, this month it is The Natural World –

The Wood, by John Lewis-Stempel, ‘Indisputably, one of the best nature-writers of his generation’ (Country Life) BBC Radio 4 ‘Book of the Week’

 

Epitaph for the Ash by Lisa Samson,‘Fascinating … Her pilgrimage to discover the present state of the ash in the UK, and the work that is being done to accommodate or counter ash dieback, is both a labour of love and an extraordinary achievement, especially given the heart-rending physical limitations Samson eventually endures as a result of life-saving surgery’ OBSERVER

 

Chasing the Ghost by Peter Marren,
Join renowned naturalist Peter Marren on an exciting quest to see every species of wild plant native to Britain.

 

 

Children’s Storytime    – Pre-School Storytime 10am to 10.30.am – FREE – Every Friday 

  Easter Weekend  ~ come & treat your family and friends in our Café, & browse our lovely selection of Easter cards and gift ideas.

  Café News …… Enjoy some Easter treats in our Café & Garden, weather permitting!
Easter Cupcakes and Easter Biscuits
Hot Cross Buns with Traditional Tea or white Rose Filter Coffee
Easter Drinks ~ Orange and Elderflower Spritzer
Easter Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream and mini eggs

 EASTER & SPRING opening hours :-
Good Friday 30 March 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Saturday 31 March 9am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Sunday 1 April 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Monday 2 April 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
NB: From Tuesday 3 April normal hours resume

 

 

 

 

Thurs 19 April, from 7.30pm at White Rose BookCafe

Local author, Gemma Hogg will be in conversation with James Hogg talking about her new book ‘Stable Lass’. Riding out and mucking in, tales from a Yorkshire racing yard.

‘Vividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive – and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss.’ Brough Scott

Tickets £5 each, redeemable against a signed hardback copy of the new book, includes welcome drink. Pre order your signed copy and tickets from White Rose BookCafe tel 01845 524353, or e-mail sales@whiterosebooks.co.uk
Thursday 21st June, 7pm for 7.30pm start

In conjunction with the Booksellers Association, in support of the 10th Anniversary of Independent Bookshop Week (IBW), and as part of Pan Macmillan’s ‘Macmillan 175′ celebrations, as well as 21 years of Picador Poetry.

The brainchild of Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, with 4 Poet Laureates plus music and guest local poet, Kate Fox.

 
 Author Events
Thurs 12 April – Michelin Star Chef, Tommy Banks will be here signing copie sof his news book ‘Roots’ (time to be confirmed). A Free Event.
Sat 21 April – Book Signing with Mary Jayne Baker, ‘A Bicycle Made for Two’ from 11am to 12 noon. A Free Event. What’s NEW?  SPOTLIGHT ON …    Each Month we’ll feature a genre, author or selection of titles that take our interest, this month it is The Natural World –
The Wood, by John Lewis-Stempel, ‘Indisputably, one of the best nature-writers of his generation’ (Country Life) BBC Radio 4 ‘Book of the Week’

Epitaph for the Ash by Lisa Samson,‘Fascinating … Her pilgrimage to discover the present state of the ash in the UK, and the work that is being done to accommodate or counter ash dieback, is both a labour of love and an extraordinary achievement, especially given the heart-rending physical limitations Samson eventually endures as a result of life-saving surgery’ OBSERVER

Chasing the Ghost by Peter Marren,
Join renowned naturalist Peter Marren on an exciting quest to see every species of wild plant native to Britain.

Children’s Storytime    – Pre-School Storytime 10am to 10.30.am – FREE – Every Friday 

  Easter Weekend  ~ come & treat your family and friends in our Café, & browse our lovely selection of Easter cards and gift ideas.

  Café News …… Enjoy some Easter treats in our Café & Garden, weather permitting!
Easter Cupcakes and Easter Biscuits
Hot Cross Buns with Traditional Tea or white Rose Filter Coffee
Easter Drinks ~ Orange and Elderflower Spritzer
Easter Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream and mini eggs
  EASTER & SPRING opening hours :-
Good Friday 30 March 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Saturday 31 March 9am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Sunday 1 April 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
Monday 2 April 10am to 5pm, Café closes 4pm
NB: From Tuesday 3 April normal hours resume

 

ABBA Super Troupers: The Exhibition at Southbank Centre, London – Review: Paul Vates

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There has been a little bit of Sweden in Marylebone, where the embassy sits, for quite a few years. But there is an additional Swedish area in London that is only here until the end of April. It’s at the Southbank Centre. Not the small pop-up Abba shop near the ticket office, which is easy to stumble across. No. In an unassuming little corner of the complex, almost hidden away, is a small Scandinavian treasure.

 

ABBA Super Troupers: The Exhibition is an immersive tour through the history of one of the most famous pop groups of all time. Forget what you know and, even, what you think you know. I believe these exhibitions are best enjoyed with child-like innocence. Allow the experience to lead you by the hand and learn everything afresh.

 

 

 

Björn Ulvaeus

[Photo: Victor Frankowski]

 

It was opened by Björn Ulvaeus himself, sitting here in the recording studio section of the tour (if you don’t know who he is, firstly – where have you been?!? – and secondly, you need to visit this exhibition). The tour has timed entry and there is a maximum of sixteen people on each one. A guide take you through, if my memory serves, ten installations – each one is a major moment in the history of the group.

 

[Photo: Mikael Bodner]

 

In each room, the guide explained where we were, answered any of our questions and pointed out some of the interesting display items, such as this gold single [pictured above] which is for the Swedish version of Ring Ring. Abba – then known as ‘Björn & Benny/Agnetha & Frida’ – weren’t chosen by the jury to be the official entry for Sweden to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973. The song was still released as a single, though, becoming a huge hit. The following year, they were wisely chosen as the Swedish entry.

 

 

There is much to learn throughout – not just about pop music. Historic events are played out, newspapers can be read, television programmes watched. The whole piece is attempting to place Abba in context with the world about them, amidst the gloomy social and political backdrop of Britain in the 1970s. A bold move considering how quickly we are escorted through time.

 

[‘open-air festival’ – Photo: Victor Frankowski]

 

As we enter and search each room, a narrator supplies additional setting and information about our whereabouts. It is the voice of Jarvis Cocker, frontman of Pulp. Not an obvious choice, perhaps, until you learn about his love of Abba.

 

 

My favourite exhibit was the recording studio – where we were even invited to join in with the band and karaoke along to Dancing Queen.

 

The exhibition is fascinating and informative; the guide is fun and upbeat. All the objects on shown are either from The Abba Museum or private collections. Although it lasts an hour, the time simply flies by. Perhaps a little too fast for genuine fans, who might wish to linger a little longer in this Abba-world. I loved it, though. In fifty years time, will there be exhibitions about One Direction or Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran? Probably not. And that is exactly why Abba are special. As strong and timeless as they ever were.

 

Ironic, too, that the nearest station to the exhibition is Waterloo… Super Troupers: The Exhibition is on at The Southbank Centre, London, until 29th April 2018. Information and tickets can be found at this website address:

https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/123377-abba-super-troupers-201718

 

 

 

World Autism Awareness Week: New film shows how autistic people feel socially isolated

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autism, ASDTo mark World Autism Awareness Week, The National Autistic Society (NAS) have released a powerful new film ‘Diverted’.

The film follows Saskia, an autistic actor, as she experiences sensory sensitivities and unexpected changes to her train journey – changes which can trigger anxiety and even cause people to feel as though they can’t travel. Alongside the film, NAS have released new statistics which demonstrate the everyday challenges some autistic people face, including that 75% of autistic people say that unexpected changes, like train diversions, make them feel socially isolated.

‘Diverted’ forms part of NAS’s Too Much Information campaign which encourages the public to find out more about autism. Please watch it and learn more about the struggles of autistic people.

World Malbec Day on 17th April

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It’s world Malbec day on 17th April, did you know?The least we can all do is to try some of these first class wines, remembering to toast the day.

 

Frost of course, is first off the starting blocks to try the wines we’re featured below. Such good value, such elegant wines, both of them.

 

Tributo Malbec 2015

Tributo means homage, and therefore, with Tributo, Viña Caliterra honors the quality of its land, its people, and all of the details that come together in perfect harmony to create an exceptional wine.  A lively red colour, this elegant wine has intense notes of berries and violets on the nose, with soft spicy hints too.

RRP: £13.30

The Fisherman’s Retreat, Halifax Wine Company, Field & Fawcett, The Whalley Wine Company, Ellies Cellar, North & South Wines, Cheers Wine Merchant.

 

Left Field Malbec 2014

And so the story begins:

Down a dark alleyway the brooding and intense characters of blackberry and liquorice meet the heroically proportioned mass of dark chocolate draped in smooth, fine velvet. Imbibe on its own or devour with a rare cut of beef.

 RRP: £17.45

Stockists: www.nzhouseofwine.co.uk, Fenwick Newcastle, Noble Grape Wines, Auriol Wines

 

Frost Loves: Hape Pound N Tap Bench

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hape, toys, reviews, This glorious musical toy arrived at the weekend. Much to the delight of the Frost toddler. The Frost baby was also fascinated by the colour and the noise, but was swiftly moved along for being too young to play with it. It is a smart idea and well made. As all Hape toys are. Lots of fun is to be had with this and the xylophone also pulls out and can be played with individually. Frost loves….

The Hape pound and tap bench features a pull out xylophone and pounding station. Explore cause and effect as balls drop when they hit the pounding area which sends the balls tinkling over the xylophone. Pull out the keyboard and the xylophone can be played solo. Experiment with playful rhythm patterns for a musical delight and sound experience

 

Suitable from 12 Months+ The Hape Pound N Tap Bench is available from Poppets for £24.95.

Philosophy of Religion: A Very Short Introduction

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Philosophy of Religion: A Very Short IntroductionAn enjoyable series. Philosophy of Religion: A Very Short Introduction is a great though-provoking book. Recommended.

What is the philosophy of religion? How can we distinguish it from theology on the one hand and the psychology/sociology of religious belief on the other? What does it mean to describe God as ‘eternal’? And should religious people want there to be good arguments for the existence of God, or is religious belief only authentic in the absence of these good arguments?

In this Very Short Introduction Tim Bayne introduces the field of philosophy of religion, and engages with some of the most burning questions that philosophers discuss. Considering how ‘religion’ should be defined, and whether we even need to be able to define it in order to engage in the philosophy of religion, he goes on to discuss whether the existence of God matters. Exploring the problem of evil, Bayne also debates the connection between faith and reason, and the related question
of what role reason should play in religious contexts. Shedding light on the relationship between science and religion, Bayne finishes by considering the topics of reincarnation and the afterlife.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Philosophy of Religion: A Very Short Introduction is available here.

The History of Physics: A Very Short Introduction

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the history of physicsFrost are a huge fan of the A Very Short Introduction series from Oxford. This book is essential reading. Insightful but never boring.

How does the physics we know today – a highly professionalised enterprise, inextricably linked to government and industry – link back to its origins as a liberal art in Ancient Greece? What is the path that leads from the old philosophy of nature and its concern with humankind’s place in the universe to modern massive international projects that hunt down fundamental particles and industrial laboratories that manufacture marvels?

This Very Short Introduction introduces us to Islamic astronomers and mathematicians calculating the size of the earth whilst their caliphs conquered much of it; to medieval scholar-theologians investigating light; to Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton, measuring, and trying to explain, the universe. We visit the ‘House of Wisdom’ in 9th-century Baghdad; Europe’s first universities; the courts of the Renaissance; the Scientific Revolution and the academies of the 18th century; and
the increasingly specialised world of 20th and 21st century science. Highlighting the shifting relationship between physics, philosophy, mathematics, and technology – and the implications for humankind’s self-understanding – Heilbron explores the changing place and purpose of physics in the cultures and
societies that have nurtured it over the centuries.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

The History of Physics: A Very Short Introduction is available here.