Health Network News

People often tell me that they have RSI (repetitive strain injury) and want to know which mouse I’d recommend to relieve their systems. I only wish that things were this simple to get an instant cure.

Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI is a term that encompasses a wide variety of conditions but is not an actual diagnosis. Its like the expression “sports injury” it could be a twisted ankle or a bump on the head!

Most ailments will be greeted with default advice of take 2 paracetemol and stay in bed, regardless of what it is. It’s a method for finding out whether your own defence system will deal with the problem and fix the ailment or whether further action is required. It is not uncommon for some doctors to recommend you to stop repeating the activity that is causing the repetitive strain injury as a cure.

For most of us advice that involves a complete career change that excludes use of a computer is unrealistic so in fact there are only two practical options; avoid getting the problem in the first place, or develop a means of managing it so that you can still work on a computer.

RSI is avoidable, and this is obviously the best plan. As anyone has experienced RSI will tell you, it’s painful and has a serious impact on your working life.

Here are some tips for avoidance of RSIs that will help you continue to work at your computer without suffering. These also apply if you already have an RSI but be prepared to work at it even harder to get results.

1. Adjust your whole workstation and environment to suit you.

2. Ensure your equipment is correctly placed for comfortable working.

3. Start with your posture and invest in a good adjustable chair. It might seem expensive but is less costly than back treatment and much less painful

4. Adjust your desk to the most suitable height for your own comfort. This is not the same thing as what your chair will allow. You can do this by placing wooden blocks under the feet or cutting it down if its too high. Height adjustable desks are probably an easier option.

5. Get a Goldtouch fully adjustable keyboard. Nothing else comes close.

6. Get another mouse or even better get two, and keep the one you have. Keep switching between them so that you minimise the repetition. Get different ones, a trackball might feel a bit strange at first but you will get used to it. Vertical mice help a great deal to reduce twisting or pronation in the wrist

7. Get a document holder that can sit over and behind your keyboard. There are lots to choose from, the Microdesk will fit over the Goldtouch and gives lots of space for papers. The key feature is that you want to keep all your work in a straight line head up position

8. Adjust your monitor to the right height and distance. Monitor arms are ideal and easy to use with flat screen monitors. They also free up space on your desk. If you need to use a laptop make sure you have a stand to get the screen to the right height and always use an external keyboard and mouse

9. Use RSI Guard Software - ALWAYS. RSI Guard is simple software that will help you build awareness of how your behaviour is hurting you and enable you to consciously prevent RSI.

10. Act Now! Your body will tolerate maltreatment for a long time but once it gives up - you are in big trouble, and the road to recovery is painful and slow.