| The explosive growth of computers and | | | | is contained in "The Hand Book: |
| the home means that more people are | | | | Preventing Computer Injury." |
| being sidelined with repetitive strain | | | | (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 |
| Computers in the office also suffer from | | | | that the feet can touch the floor |
| RSI. | | | | without 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 |
| world country are spent trying to find | | | | board, about three-quarters to one inch |
| the cure for these ails and sadly we | | | | thick, beneath the lowest side of the |
| don't appears to be getting very far. | | | | keyboard. This provides a "negative" |
| Sadly we are lacking in complete | | | | tilt, taking some strain off the wrists, |
| professional research into this area | | | | and "it encourages you to sit up a |
| "What is the scientific basis for these | | | | little 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 | | | | of Orthopaedic surgery at Providence |
| research. |There appears to be a | | | | Hospital in Washington and a spokesman |
| woefully little 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 |
| play a role, which is why many experts | | | | wrist rest." |
| often prescribe special exercises to | | | | However there are certain experts out |
| help lessen the effects of long hours at | | | | there who believe that the best way to |
| the computer. "People who use computers | | | | treat RSI is keep the tendons supple and |
| are 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 | | | | and tendons to shrink," he said. "People |
| thigh can take a great deal more use and | | | | end up alleviating some of the pain, but |
| abuse than can a tiny tendon in your | | | | they tend to put added stress on some of |
| hand," said Stephanie Brown, a concert | | | | the other muscle groups. You really want |
| pianist who is author of a method for | | | | a range of motion. |
| preventing RSI from computer use, which | | | | |