RSI Update: My Hands Have Been Better

Is RSI something that one is ever completely cured of?  I'm not sure.  The lucky ones maybe.  I will say that my hands have been noticably better over the last few months.  (You can read about my original whinings, er reasons for starting this blog, here)  Although I still have trouble with my hands, I've been able to get back to a close-to-normal work load.  Since I work from home, I do spread my tasks out over the entire day (an hour here, do something away from the computer, an hour working--that kind of thing), so that helps.  I have a feeling I couldn't handle eight hours a day hammering at a keyboard in some office for very long.  However, this is quite an improvement, since my hands used to hurt so much I could barely drive.  I still have hope that they'll improve further if I try not to push things.

So, what have I done?  It's hard to say that it's been any one thing, because when you've had RSI for a while, it takes a long time to get better.  I tried Flextend for about a year (and I still use the gloves from time to time), but it wasn't the cure-all I'd hoped for (check them out if you haven't though--it seems to work well for some people).

About a year ago, I replaced my TouchStream keyboard (which I never quite got the hang of) with a Kinesis ergonomic keyboard, which I like and plan to keep.  I also replaced my regular mouse with an iGesture (unfortunately FingerWorks, the company that makes this and the TouchStream, have gone out of business), which I also like a lot.  For a while I relied heavily on Dragon NaturallySpeaking, but I've been using it less lately as my hands have been bothering me less (so I've been able to type more).  I still think it's an excellent tool, though. 

Another thing that has changed is that I've lost about 25 pounds.  I wasn't exactly a fatty before, but now I'm pretty lean.  Although I don't remember discussing it in this blog before, I seem to remember reading about ties between obesity and RSI.  Like I said, I wasn't obese, but I figure any little bit might help with these kind of things.  That much less stress on the body, ya know?

Lastly, the break reminder program.  I have it set to go off every 20 minutes I sit at the computer.  I'm not always good about obeying it, but I do try to at least get up and stretch a bit a couple times an hour.  Our bodies just weren't built to sit in a chair hacking at a keyboard for hours in a row. 

Anyway, I'll post further updates if anything changes.  Good luck to everybody out there who is having trouble.

Comments

[Frank Reiff]

Hi,

Reading your post, I recognize a lot of my own attempts of finding the perfect ergonomic fit:

I've used a Kinesis Ergo since 1998, acquired a TouchStream which didn't work for me (how are you supposed to touch type if you can't feel the keys) and finally settled for the excellent iGesture trackpad just before they went out of business.. hhmmm..

At work I know use a TypeMatrix EZ2030 which is much cheaper than the Kinesis, but is sufficiently similar to allow for an easy transition.

I have reviewed the 2030 on my own ergo blog at:

http://www.publicspace.net/blog/default/2006/05/17/typematrixdvorak/

It is a good idea to "share" your time between two keyboards, so you don't use exactly the same muscles all the time.

Finally, having found no great break timers, I wrote my own in 1998 called MacBreakZ (Mac-only), which I'm now significantly upgrading with a version 4.

There is a PC version that is called "ergonomix":

http://www.publicspace.net/ergonomix/

If you want to review I'd by happy to provide you with a freeby.

Since I've enjoyed reading your blog, I have taken the liberty to link to it on my blog roll.

Take care.

Best regards,

Frank

[Matthew Balint]

Re: your latest posting about having a food allergy (gluten)is very interesting. I am currently developing a sit on ergonomics & nutrition, they are one in the same as you have probably have noticed. I am trying to do research on nutrition & the human factors in the work place. Could you please elaborate on your situation with your food allergy & how your RSI & other work ailments improved. Any information on your personal experience is greatly appreciated.

Regards
Matt .B