| The explosive growth of computers and the | | | | preventing RSI from computer use, which is |
| home means that more people are being | | | | contained in "The Hand Book: Preventing |
| sidelined with repetitive strain injuries, | | | | Computer Injury." (Ergonomie;1993). |
| although exact numbers are not available. | | | | |
| These startling facts came about from a | | | | "Start with a good chair," Windsor said. "It |
| report carried out by the National Institute | | | | should have as much adjustability as possible |
| for Occupational Safety and Health who then | | | | and be easy to" adjust. The chair should not |
| went on to allege that 20% of people who work | | | | be so long that it digs into the back of the |
| with Computers in the office also suffer from | | | | legs, and the chair's height should be |
| RSI. | | | | adjusted so that the feet can touch the floor |
| | | | without dangling, he said. |
| Millions of dollars each year, the equivalent | | | | |
| of the GDP from a small third world country | | | | To help improve posture, make a simple |
| are spent trying to find the cure for these | | | | adjustment to the keyboard. Slip a board, |
| ails and sadly we don't appears to be getting | | | | about three-quarters to one inch thick, |
| very far. | | | | beneath the lowest side of the keyboard. This |
| | | | provides a "negative" tilt, taking some |
| Sadly we are lacking in complete professional | | | | strain off the wrists, and "it encourages you |
| research into this area "What is the | | | | to sit up a little straighter," Windsor said. |
| scientific basis for these devices?" asked | | | | |
| Russell Windsor, an RSI Specialist at the | | | | "Sufferers of RSI can be aided by the correct |
| Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. | | | | climate with which to operate from at work." |
| "There has been little actual proper | | | | said Edward Rankin, Chief of Orthopaedic |
| scientific research. |There appears to be a | | | | surgery at Providence Hospital in Washington |
| woefully little amount of research.}" | | | | and a spokesman for the American College of |
| | | | Orthopaedic Surgeons. "They could change the |
| But incorrect seating, poor work regimes and | | | | desk height, change the seat, use a foam |
| appalling physical fitness can also play a | | | | wrist rest." |
| role, which is why many experts often | | | | |
| prescribe special exercises to help lessen | | | | However there are certain experts out there |
| the effects of long hours at the computer. | | | | who believe that the best way to treat RSI is |
| "People who use computers are essentially | | | | keep the tendons supple and moving. "Tendons |
| upper-body athletes, " Windsor said. "They | | | | that move heal better," Windsor said. "They |
| are making hundreds of thousands of key | | | | have to be able to remain supple." |
| strokes." | | | | |
| | | | By limiting how much hands and wrists move, |
| While these movements may be small, they | | | | "you can cause muscles to contract and |
| carry the risks and dangers of any athletic | | | | tendons to shrink," he said. "People end up |
| activity. "A shoulder or a thigh can take a | | | | alleviating some of the pain, but they tend |
| great deal more use and abuse than can a tiny | | | | to put added stress on some of the other |
| tendon in your hand," said Stephanie Brown, a | | | | muscle groups. You really want a range of |
| concert pianist who is author of a method for | | | | motion. |