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The Sorehand Chronicles: The best RSI
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Copyright for all materials belongs to the original authors. Do not repost or reprint without permission from the author. Search for the author by joining Sorehand and posting a message or searching for their name.
This page shows replies that followed after I posted the first note to Sorehand. Notice that the individuals who supplied a lot of detail tended to agree with my suggestion.
From: Jack Bellis [mailto:jackbellis@HOTMAIL.COM]
Sent: 15 December 2000 03:31
To: SOREHAND@ITSSRV1.UCSF.EDU
Subject: Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
The most common recommendation that I encounter for preventing RSI seems to
be "take frequent breaks," and I've certaintly quoted it myself. But I'm
wondering if we can do better, and wanted to bounce a suggestion off of
SoreHand. I don't at all dispute the value of taking breaks... just how well
it hits the mark. How successful will it be as long-term advice for my 3-
and 6-year old? How practical is it for most non-sufferers who have a
drug-like addiction to their PC? How likely is it for those who are
indentured to their data entry jobs? And finally, is it exactly the most
accurate countermeasure?
Lately I'm thinking that the best advice for preventing RSI is "stay in
motion." More accurately, it is "keep all of your joints in motion," but the
marketing folks tell me that brevity is the soul of wit, folks. Notice that
if you keep in motion, you won't be resting on constant pinch points. In
practical terms, it means to develop a habit of fidgeting a lot as you
type... between breaks, that is.
Now without getting hung up on that dogma about "There's no single magic
bullet," what do you think? If you could share only ONE piece of information
with a family member who is about to embark on what might end up being 50
years of qwertying, would this be it?
Jack Bellis
www.RSIProgram.com
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Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 11:05:33 -0000
Subject: Re: Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
Keep your hands in line with your arms
-- Neil
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Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 07:31:55 -0800
Subject: Re: Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
Jack,
I would agree with you 100%! I work at a company that has a very
relaxed
atmosphere, and I have always taken alot of breaks during the day. But, it
wasn't enough to keep me from getting hurt. In between those breaks, I sat
in a very static position. I realize now that I worked best when I tensed
my whole body. I worked faster, thought clearer, and my work output was
very high. It got me promoted, but it also put alot of pressure on my
spine. So, here I sit recovering from disk surgery, with alot of pain still
left in my arms that my doctors have yet to diagnose.
My advice? Keep moving, moving, moving! I have also become a pest to
everyone I know about sitting up straight. RSI prevention starts with good
posture, but keep that body moving!
Joanne
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 09:09:57 -0800
Subject: Re: Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
It seems to me that "stretch the larger muscle" would be better.
Bruce
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 17:31:39 -0600
Subject: Re: Primary recommendation/Keep Moving
Keep moving is a great reminder! This isn't exactly the primary rec, but
Egoscue's book has a list he calls Escapism, for getting 'out of the Box'.
Includes stuff like-
move wastebasket to different spot every day
answer phone w/ non-dominant hand
when possible, take calls standing up
stand to talk with colleagues
change chair height every day
raise or lower keybd daily (a little, say I)
use restroom upstairs, down, etc
ways to get more movement.!
Judy
--------------------------
To: SOREHAND@itssrv1.ucsf.edu, jackbellis@hotmail.com Save Address
Subject: Re: Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 23:43:41 EST
I agree with you, Jack. The one thing that I tell people is to KEEP MOVING. I
know it sounds like the opposite thing to do....you wouldnt advise someone
that has bronchitis to hang around outside enjoying the fresh air. With RSI,
I have found that the more stagnant and stationary I am, whether I am at a
computer or not, the more painful my life is. This is also a double edged
sword. Many people find simple stretching exercises too painful, so why would
it help to KEEP MOVING? It's a tough thing, but I have found that if I just
keep active, I feel better. This is NOT the same thing as, "work through the
pain." If it hurts, I stop doing it and I try to find another way to remain
active. The more static I am, the more I hurt.
IMO,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000 00:52:09 -0800
Subject: Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
I have to agree with Jack Bellis about the importance of movement, and
think Fred completely missed the point about getting a chair that would
change position all the time and force the occupant to change with it...
The point is, our bodies are meant to *move,* not to be static most of the
time, and particularly not to sit for hours at a time -- whether one can
change positions in the chair or not . Circulation is critical, and
requires movement.
Bruce Klimoski said it seemed to him "that 'stretch the larger muscle'
would be better." I think that's also pertinent for the example Jack gave
of the 3- and 6-year olds with "Nintendonitis," but there my recommendation
would be to limit time on the games -- which again brings us back to the
importance of movement rather than being in a static position.
After years of dealing with these injuries I know there's a direct
connection between my symptoms and inactivity. FWIW.
Joan
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000 18:58:44 -0500
Subject: Re: Primary recommendation/Keep Moving
Oh, and don't hold the telephone with your neck/chin!!!
Heather
------------------------------
Subject: Re: Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 15:38:17 -0700
>Primary recommendation to prevent RSI?
>
First of all, you mentioned "frequent breaks" and I agree with the basis of
your concerns with this recommendation. It is difficult in some work
scenarios. This difficulty (read lack of autonomy combined with postural
and mental monotony) circumstance is a MAJOR risk factor for RSI right
there. However, if we define "frequent breaks" as meaning dropping your
hands into your lap for even a couple of seconds at a time and letting the
tension drain out of your shoulders and neck, these opportunities are
available in all work scenarios as long as there is a trigger to remind the
worker to do this. Research has shown that these breaks can significantly
decrease the build-up of tension and all its nasty side-effects.
As for "keep moving" that is certainly excellent advice and it is connected
to my third point below. Movement within work tasks is essential and
should utilize as much of the body as possible. This is driven by work
station design and by personal habit so both have to be addressed to create
the necessary environment. Also, keep moving should be applied outside of
conventional work activities. Go home and move, move BIG. The body loves
big robust activities using major muscle groups in multi-joint movements
(just what most work these days doesn't feature!). The body HATES sitting
on the couch watching television.
Finally, making the unconscious the conscious is critical. This is as true
for the body as for a society. Humans develop habits of "posture" or
"poise" whatever you want to call it and they are wired in through
repetition starting before school even begins. In order to change these
things, attention must be brought to these habits so that a plan can be
made to restructure these patterns. As a good example that is societal in
scope, the recent US election has effectively shaken many people out of the
sleepwalking version of democracy that the country had been gripped with
for years. People just assumed that they went and cast their ballots and
that their vote counted just the same as everybody else, everywhere else.
Now that people know that it isn't the case, it creates an opportunity to
make changes to the habit of democracy so that things are better and more
in line with the theoretical ideal. The same is true for people, they must
create this opportunity for reflection and it is here that I believe the
Alexander Technique (and to a lesser extent) Feldenkrais have an enormous
contribution to make, not just in helping correct people with pain, but
heading off the development of pain.
Greg
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 09:57:23 -0800
Subject: Re: fibromyalgia vs RSI/RSD
IMHO,
the key to healing from fibromyalgia, RSI, RSD or whatever you want to call
it is simple.
move, move, move.
Elise
>I have a friend who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but alot of his
>symptoms point to RSI/RSD. Is anyone aware of this fib. thing? He is in
>alot of pain and of course in this small town and not getting any help from
>the docs. here. He has seen 7 docs. so far and all they are doing is
>pumping him with tons of narcotics. Any info. would help.
>
>Karen
Copyright for all materials belongs to the original authors. Do not repost or reprint without permission from the author. Search for the author by joining Sorehand and posting a message or searching for their name.
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Revised
Nov
21,
2000