Can Software Assess Your RSI? You Tell Me.

An Introductory Discussion of the RSI Software, EinSpine

Jack Bellis, September 4, 2006

I frequently get requests from vendors to look at their software and consider reviewing it. The latest was from http://www.einspine.com/, makers of an RSI software package, out of Malta (Europe). Typically these systems include break monitoring, exercises, and other features. I used various ones over the years, and even provided some still graphics for one from Para Technologies called Stretch Break.

I spent a few minutes looking at the EinSpine website, downloaded the trial version and poked around for 30 seconds (quick review, eh?... hey I have 20 projects going on, not to mention 2 young kids). Although I couldn't review the product, I did spend 1/2 hour reading their What Is RSI page. It was so informative that it convinced me to spend a few more minutes to do this commentary. All of us who write about RSI struggle to "get to the bottom of the issue" and add any insight into the details.

The founder, Russ Hornstein's article does a great job and seemed to add a little to my understanding and nomenclature. Here's a summary of his argument:

(Although other forms of overuse occurred in the past [jb],) the small, repetitive motions associated with computer use are relatively new to society.
The arm muscles are type IIB muscles [? jb], and have less blood flow. They are not designed for short, fast motion over long periods of time.
They require large stores of energy in the form of glycogen, and if not rested frequently to replace the glycogen, they fatigue quickly.
Microstrain in the small muscle fibers, fibrils results.
Persistent use when fatigued, causes the damage process to accelerate.
RSI is often a cascading series of predicable events.
The strain shortens and tightens the fibrils, possibly exacerbated by lactic acid buildup.
The problem usually affects only muscles on one side of a joint, resulting in imbalance... changing the otherwise neutral position.
This makes you more susceptible to injuries from other pulling and twisting motions, wear-and-tear of joint bones or ligaments.
The shortened, tense fibrils are associated with the cause of adhesions, small, painful bumps of tissue... a sign of chronically irritated muscles. They can be treated by deep massage and stretching.
Certain positions of the wrist cause tendon friction in the carpal tunnel, and an inflammatory response.
Ligaments and tendons heal slowly. Ligaments are often left weaker after injury.
Chronic compression of nerves affects the large-diameter fibers that control fine touch, proprioception (joint position sense), vibration and the motor fibers, not the smaller pain and temperature fibers. Nerves have good capacity to heal, but slowly.
Reduced blood flow is another source of numbness, tingling, cold limbs, and weakness. Blood flow problems can have severe consequences.

These points closely match the theory of RSI in our book, and add some words around the medicine of the topic. The information is sensible enough for me to recommend that you investigate their product. It has a free trial version. I downloaded it but note that it is a big download, apparently with the full versions of their videos.

EinSpine costs $129 for a single license, compared, for instance to $44.95 for Stretch Break. Both are expensive by the standards of private RSI sufferers, many of whom are in financial straits due to their health. So what could a relatively new entry into the crowded field offer that would inspire them to ask $129? I spotted two things: very professional, full videos of their exercises, and an assessment component... meaning, I assume, it tries to measure your RSI status.

I'd love to hear from an RSI sufferer who works their way through it.

jackbellis@hotmail.com