Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546135
36 FA L L 2 0 2 6 I C A S Q U A R T E R L Y that's like any other light that people would put in a bedroom or a garage." You don't want to be squinting and fumbling to find the knob or button on your amazing mix surface. It slows you down and creates frustration and stress, along with eye and back strain. THE HAND Let's talk about mice. There are trackball mixers and editors and there are mouse mixers and editors. I'm sorry, trackball enthusiasts, but you are headed toward carpal tunnel syndrome. Oh, and mouse lovers, stop gloating, you are, too. Not only CTP, but also tennis elbow, pinched nerves in your shoulder, etc. Colleen Carroll does not understand the attraction to the trackball. "What is the fascination with that?! It is not ergonomic! It makes you bend your wrist more. You can use a standard mouse with a wrist rest, but an ergonomic mouse is better." Colleen continues, "When we look at the wrist, we want it to be in what we call 'functional position.' So, you're in this 90-degree position, kind of like you're holding a sandwich with your fingers. It supports all the bones in your wrist and all the ligaments so you're not overly straining them. It does take some getting used to, but it also helps because you're bearing more weight through the bottom of your hand, which can take more of the weight. You're not creating the carpal tunnel effect, like when you're bearing weight through your palm and the bottom of your wrist. This is a position we put people in when we splint them for hand or wrist injuries. We put them in this position because it is the most efficient way to help the joints heal. It's the one that's going to cause the least amount of strain." Even though I am hyper aware of wrist placement, I still ended up with wrist pain from using a mouse. When you're tired, no amount of "knowing correct form" will keep you from losing it. You need something that supports proper position, even when you're tired. There are wrist rests and little bean bags that can help keep a wrist straight, but the ergonomic mouse and trackball mouse, which takes a little getting used to, is better. We have talked about chairs, monitor placement, lighting, mice, mental stimulation… Did I mention getting out of your seat for 10 to 15 minutes every two hours? Get up! I once had a client call me the "long haul trucker of mixers. You haven't left that seat in over six hours!" Some of my studio "glimmers."