Avoiding Repetitive Motion Injury

While I beat this dead horse, I thought I would bring up one more idea.

Ways to protect your back.

Many years ago, I turned to look at the visual aid in my class and heard a very distinct pop. It was a vertebrae in my back deciding to change position. needless to say, it was painful and still bothers me on occassion to this day.

How can you avoid such an injury? Don't sit with your back to the visual aid.

It seems obvious, until you try to figure out the logistics for yourself. Some situations leave little room for negotiation. I find a chair that swivels can save me a lot of heart ache. Lacking one of those, I position myself as best I can close to a forty five degee angle. I can turn a partial turn toward the client I am interpreting for, and a partial turn toward the visual aid I need to reference. Easier on my back and not that hard for most to read me.

Then there is a nifty toy that was making the rounds of the internet a few years ago: The Interpreter Mirror. It is a double mirror system so the interpeter can see the visual aid in correct symmetry. Not every room has the space for even that much additional equiment, but it sure is worth looking into.

Especially if you want to save your back.