uncarved.org blog

The funny thing about having RSI is that people send you emails asking you about it.

This page is a substitute for wearing out my wrists typing individual replies to them.

If you are getting pains….

Everyone is different so don’t take this too much to heart. Get some help before it is too late. If you have aches or pains, they may be nothing. If they are not nothing then you will get better - this stuff is so common now that there is a whole swathe of medical people who can help.

Mine started with pains in my hands and wrists.

There are 3 main things I did:

posture - I got my workstation at work looked at. Got my chair adjusted and a cordless mouse and keyboard. Got some advice on how to sit and how to use my computer. If you are employed then you should do this. Work has probably made you ill, so work should pay for you to get better. If you are self-employed then obviously it’s a lot harder or more expensive.

doctor - My GP didn’t really do much but told me to cut down keyboard use to 4 sessions of 15 minutes a day, gradually building it up to maybe 30 minute sessions. And then more. Basically don’t type through the pain. The doc also recommended getting upper body exercise - at a gym or swimming.

physiotherapist - (on the wonderful NHS, a referral from my doctor). The physio gave me stretching exercises - neck, arms, shoulders and back. This has been the most useful thing.

ibuprofen helps if it is really bad

I haven’t really sorted it yet because I find it very hard to cut down completely on keyboard stuff. It goes up and down. Generally I am getting better.

I try not to use my computer at home at all these days, or maybe just check email once a day.

I am reading more books now and this is a good thing. I am also taking proper lunch breaks at work, leaving my desk, which feels great.

My enthusiasm for things I have written about in this blog is undiminished and there is a whole load of other stuff I would like to cover in a similar fashion. That will have to wait, if indeed it happens at all.