I get a large number of people asking me which mouse will help relieve the pain of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) when using a computer. If only it was that straightforward to get an instant cure.
RSI or Repetitive Strain Injury is a general term that covers a multitude of conditions in the same way that a "sports injury" is used to describe a bump on the head or a twisted ankle.
When you think about it most ailments will get the default advice of "take 2 paracetemol and stay in bed" regardless of what might be wrong. It seems to be a method for finding out if your own defence systems will deal with the problem if given a couple of days to get on with it and if you don't get better presumably you will come back. It is not uncommon to hear some doctors recommending that the best way to cure Repetitive Strain Injury is to stop repeating the activity that is causing the strain, which results in the injury.
However for the majority of us, this would involve a complete change of career that doesn't involve the use of a computer. As this is impractical for most people, you are left with two practical options; avoid getting the injury in the first place, or develop a method of managing it so can continue using computers.
Avoidance is a really good plan. Anyone who has suffered an RSI can tell you how miserable it can be and how shockingly serious its impact is on your working life.
Whether you are already suffering from RSI or want to ensure you take the right steps to prevent the injury, the following tips can help you work on a computer without suffering.
1. Adjust your whole workstation and environment to suit you.
2. If your equipment is not in the right place and not adjustable it is not ergonomic and you will suffer as a result
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 fully adjustable keyboard like the Goldtouch. In fact get a Goldtouch, nothing else comes close. You can read up on why on the internet, just google "Goldtouch keyboard"
6. Get several different mice and keep the one you have. Keep alternating between them to minimise repetition. A trackball might seem strange to use at first but you will soon get used to it. Vertical mice also help 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. Place your monitor at eyelevel and at a reasonable distance. Monitor arms are excellent for this and also free up space on your desk. If you use a laptop screen make sure you position it 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. - 30425
RSI or Repetitive Strain Injury is a general term that covers a multitude of conditions in the same way that a "sports injury" is used to describe a bump on the head or a twisted ankle.
When you think about it most ailments will get the default advice of "take 2 paracetemol and stay in bed" regardless of what might be wrong. It seems to be a method for finding out if your own defence systems will deal with the problem if given a couple of days to get on with it and if you don't get better presumably you will come back. It is not uncommon to hear some doctors recommending that the best way to cure Repetitive Strain Injury is to stop repeating the activity that is causing the strain, which results in the injury.
However for the majority of us, this would involve a complete change of career that doesn't involve the use of a computer. As this is impractical for most people, you are left with two practical options; avoid getting the injury in the first place, or develop a method of managing it so can continue using computers.
Avoidance is a really good plan. Anyone who has suffered an RSI can tell you how miserable it can be and how shockingly serious its impact is on your working life.
Whether you are already suffering from RSI or want to ensure you take the right steps to prevent the injury, the following tips can help you work on a computer without suffering.
1. Adjust your whole workstation and environment to suit you.
2. If your equipment is not in the right place and not adjustable it is not ergonomic and you will suffer as a result
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 fully adjustable keyboard like the Goldtouch. In fact get a Goldtouch, nothing else comes close. You can read up on why on the internet, just google "Goldtouch keyboard"
6. Get several different mice and keep the one you have. Keep alternating between them to minimise repetition. A trackball might seem strange to use at first but you will soon get used to it. Vertical mice also help 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. Place your monitor at eyelevel and at a reasonable distance. Monitor arms are excellent for this and also free up space on your desk. If you use a laptop screen make sure you position it 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. - 30425
About the Author:
Paul Goddard is an Education Officer at Keytools and a well known Repetitive Strain Injury expert. He claims that RSI problems are easily preventable and his company, Keytools provides assistive technology for people with Repetitive Strain Injury including the RSIGuide software for prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury
