It’s not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
I read this book a good while ago now. Not sure why I didn’t review it at the time. Well I do – I actually felt that I’d read so much on the subject that I didn’t learn much from this book. So I didn’t want to be negative about it for the wrong reasons. It’s a really good book – if I had to recommend only book I’ve read so far this would be it I.
It really makes such a difference to understand what is happening to your body and why. A sizeable chapter in this book is geared towards understanding how people get RSI and understanding parts of your anatomy that are affected. There is another big chapter on therapy, but don’t expect to flick through the book and get a quick cure. Take your time, the background stuff is important. Knowledge is power!
As for the therapy / recovery, there’s not a huge amount that you won’t find on this site. All good resources recommend an appropriate exercise routine as the main course of action. And this book is no different. Though everything in the book is fleshed out a but more and there are more exercises.
One new thing I did learn is that poor posture is a symptom of RSI. We all know poor posture can greatly contribute to RSI but I never thought of it the other way around; once you start experiencing severe symtpoms of RSI your posture can get even worse, so it’s a bit of a double battle.
But – I still can’t believe how so much literature on the subject focuses so much on keyboard activity and gives so little column inches to the mouse – or more to the point using a mouse and keyboard together in the least harmful way. So often the use cases are about programmers or typists; keyboardists.
Another downside is that it has a very American slant. There’s a whole chapter about volunteering to become the office ergonomic sheriff. Over on this side of the pond we’re more inclined to want to keep this kind of stuff to ourselves, not shout it from the rooftops and become the resident RSI embassador. Thoiuygh feel free to shout “speak for yourself!”
And you’ve got to love the title. RSI and CPS are NOT the same thing.
So minor quibbles aside, it’s well worth a read. If you’re reading this and don’t yet have a good book on the subject buy it now: It’s Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals