“Avoiding Repetitive-Stress Injuries: A Writer's Guide” by Geoff Hart Presented by Aubrey Hillman 11/13/08

Introduction What is an RSI? Aches and pains Hand problems Eye strain Conclusion

What is an RSI? Repetitive Stress Injury “Any injury that results from overuse of a body part without giving it time to recover” Computer users are at high risk

Aches and Pains Sitting at a desk for long hours can cause leg and back pain  Buy a high quality chair  “Test drive” the chair before you buy it  Use a footrest if necessary

Aches and Pains Adjust your workstation to your natural body position Try using alternatives to a mouse  Trackballs  Graphics tablets Remember that everyone’s body is different

Hand Problems Carpal Tunnel Syndrome  “Compression of the nerve that runs through the ‘carpal tunnel’ in your wrist”  Can cause severe pain Have it checked out by a doctor  Other hand problems can mimic CTS Avoid twisting your wrist at odd angles Look into ergonomic keyboards

Hand Problems Traditional keyboards require a lot of finger movement  Investigate new keyboard designs Beware of laptops!  Laptop keyboards can jarr your fingertips  Use an external keyboard if possible Avoid wrist rests  They compress the tissues in your wrists

Eye Strain Take frequent breaks Keep the monitor at arm’s length If you wear glasses, ask your doctor about computer glasses “Test drive” a monitor before you buy it Find the font that works best for your eyes

Eye Strain Set the vertical refresh rate to maximum Use laptop and LCD screens instead of traditional CRT screens Avoid florescent lights in your work environment Avoid glare on the screen Blink more often

Conclusion Invest in good tools  Buy high quality products  Test before you buy Stay in shape Let technology help  Consider voice software  But be careful! Don’t overuse voice software either Listen to your body

Questions?