Mousetool is a total lifesaver. If you use a regular mouse and clicking hurts you, you need Mousetool. It takes a little bit of getting used to but it’s well worth persevering. It’s a small utility that clicks for you when you stop moving the mouse. For example, if you move the cursor to the back button in your browser, then mouse tool will click the button for you.

It’s well worth investigating the different setup options specially the Context Options, which instruct Mousetool to act differently in different programs. For example I have it set to disable when I’m using Word or Photoshop. It can get a bit messy when you’re trying to type.

I tend not to use Mousetool when I’m using a graphics tablet. I switch quite regularly between my graphics tablet and mouse. Regularly changing aspects of your setup and work practice can be another key to not overusing the same muscles and is another good way of beating RSI.

Download Mousetool (For PC)

Windows Accessibility is an option in control panel you never go near because you’re not disabled. Then one day you realise you are. If you’re on a PC, open the control panel and click on Accessibility Options. The option I find most useful is called Mousekeys.

Go to the mouse tab and turn on Mousekeys. What it does is turn your keypad into a mouse controller. So you can move your mouse with the arrows – but the main thing I really use it for is clicking the mouse with the number 5. Now and then you find yourself in a situation where you want to keep clicking the mouse without moving it, like a next button on a series of web pages. I’m sure you know that repetitive mouse clicking is really bad and key pressing is a lot easier, so this is where Mousekeys can be really useful.

Tip: Used in conjunction with a foot pedal you can click with your foot. More on that in another post.

Download Workrave from www.workrave.org. It’s free. Its great. Its a lifesaver. Workrave is highly customizable stretchbreak software. You can use micro breaks and longer breaks. You can use the animated stretches. I just use the micro breaks mostly. I crank it up or down depending on pain levels. At time of writing I have it set to make me take a break every 5 minutes for 25 seconds.

• Make sure you block the screen. Your eyes need a break too.
• Make sure you set it up so you can’t hit cancel.