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