RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury

I have been having wrist problems for the past 6 years or more. Probably because I use a mouse all day long at work.

My first solution was to switch hands and for a year or so I used my left hand to control the mouse. This wasn't as hard as it sounds. It's probably only as hard as driving a left hand drive car rather than a right hand drive. I only stopped doing this when I was given a wrist support to try.

The wrist support works by preventing the wrist being bent. It has a metal plate in it and you fasten it to your wrist with 3 Velcro straps. When I replaced it, I got a new one from a company called Westons - but I'm sure there must be lots of other companies who can supply a similar thing. They cost about £20.

Go here for a picture - Westons

You need to get the right size and for the correct hand i.e. they are not ambidextrous.

The wrist support definitely works. I still work all day long on a computer and as long as I wear it, my wrist doesn't hurt. But if I don't wear it and I use a mouse for more than about 5 mins, then I do get pain.

The third thing I tried is a pen and tablet. This, for me, is great. I now find using a pen and tablet much faster than I could ever use a mouse. Also I can do this for long periods of time without my wrist support on. I guess if you can use a pen and not get pain then you will be able to use a pen and tablet. The pen and tablet I use is made by Wacom and is called a Graphire. They are about £70 from Amazon or other online suppliers.

Go here for details of the Wacom pen and tablet - Wacom Graphire

Get in touch if you have other RSI avoidance tactics!

For more information, go to the RSIA website.