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.
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.
The following steps are my suggestions for working on a computer without suffering.
1. Adjust your whole workstation to fit you not the other way around
2. If your equipment is not positioned correctly and you can not adjust it – 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 right height for you. This is not the same thing as what your chair will allow. If necessary, insert small blocks of wood under the legs or saw a bit off if its too high. Alternatively invest in a height adjustable desk.
5. Get a fully adjustable, Goldtouch keyboard. These are quite simply the best, You can read up on why by Googling “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 and position it over and behind your keyboard. The key feature is that you want to keep all your work in a straight line head up position
8. Get your monitor at the right height and distance. Monitor arms are really good for this, easy to use with flat screens and free up space on your desk. If you must use a laptop screen then make sure you have a stand to get it the right height and always use an external keyboard and mouse
9. Always use RSIGuard Software. This is an absolute essential. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. RSIGuard is a very simple software package that will show you how your behaviour is hurting you.
10. Make changes now. Your body can handle a lot of abuse, but when it gives up – you are in big trouble, and the road back is painful and slow. Some people never recover.
