Repetitive Strain Injury: A Computer User's Guide

After years of extreme pain caused by ...poor working conditions ..., I ended up disabled. I found this book four years later. In that time, I had seen two M.D.'s, three chiropracters and two orthopedic surgeons. I was diagnosed as having a pinched nerve.After reading this book, I made an appointment with Dr. Pascarelli. I was the last new patient he took before retiring. He diagnosed me as having thoracic outlet syndrome, and wrote up a script of physical therapy treatment for me, which I took back to Ohio and showed to the doctor's here. I still live in constant pain because of permanent muscle damage in my upper back because this wasn't diagnosed sooner, but at least the pain is bearable. I also have problems using my arms and hands. But, today I'm partially disabled instead of totally disabled.Maybe, if one of the doctor's that had examined me before had Dr. Pascarelli's knowledge, I wouldn't be living in pain today. Or, if I had the knowledge this book provides....If you use a computer, read this book and follow the advice. You don't have to end up living in pain.

This book was recommended to me by both a physical therapist and a friend with RSI. I found it to be wonderfully refreshing and informative, and would recommend it to anyone worrying about any form of computer-related RSI. The authors treat the reader with respect and intelligence, explaining in detail what is going on and what you can do (including when to get professional help and how to make the most of it). Most importantly, they give you hope that you can improve your RSI situation. I have had several professionals tell me that RSI problems are not reversable, even if you only have a minor case ("all you can do is cope"). The authors of this book debunk this myth, explaining the spectrum of both injuries and actions you can take to help yourself.

This book has helped me tremendously. Already having just skimmed it, I have found 3-4 things I do posture and lifestyle-wise that I need to change. I think there are a lot of users like me that need this book: having intermittant pain that could become serious if not attended to soon.Don't believe the morons that say RSI is just in your head, or the people on the other end that think it is untreatable and spout horror stories. You *can* recover, and most important, you can *prevent* it.

This book was a gift of serendipity. The information in it allowed me to communicate to my DR's and the State Workers' Compensation Division exactally what my injury is. Because of prolonged computer "leashing" I developed a bi-lateral Ulnar nerve compression. I sought "compentent" medical treatment for 4 months until I read this book. I found such treatment because this publication empowered me to ask the right questions. I will not relate details but I was severly abused in the Medical system (yes I am FULLY insured) prior to having the information Ms. Quilter provides in this excellent book. If you have sore hands, numb hands or, as I did, muscle loss in your arms or hands, BUY this book! I have been given full Workers' Compensation, and have been blessed to find the upper extremity Orthopaedic Surgens at the University of Pittsburgh because of the drive this publication gave me and refusal to stop looking for the best help for my injury.

This is the most comprehensive book I have ever read on repetitive strain injuries. I have been suffering from various RSI's in my wrists/elbows/arms for about a year now, and was very frustrated that none of the numerous doctors I saw seemed to be able to help me, or even understood what was wrong with me. Just one chapter into the book, I felt a great sense of relief that the author *understands* not only the injury, but the frustration and anger that patients suffer. There are detailed descriptions of the various types of RSI's, how they are caused, and what you can do about correcting the problems that caused them in the first place. Along with this are valuable instructions on workplace ergonomics, suggestions for helpful ways to make everyday life easier, pain management, and a resource guide at the end of the book, with suppliers of helpful tools as well as legal resources if your injury is work-related. An excellent book, I highly recommend it.