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.
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.
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.
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 to fit you not the other way around
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, Goldtouch keyboard. These are quite simply the best, You can read up on why by Googling "Goldtouch keyboard"
6. Get several different mice and pointing devices in addition to the one you have. Alternate between them in order to minimise the repetition. A trackball may feel awkward to use at first but you will get used to it. Vertical mice 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. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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 to fit you not the other way around
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, Goldtouch keyboard. These are quite simply the best, You can read up on why by Googling "Goldtouch keyboard"
6. Get several different mice and pointing devices in addition to the one you have. Alternate between them in order to minimise the repetition. A trackball may feel awkward to use at first but you will get used to it. Vertical mice 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. 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. 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.
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
