Repetitive Strain Injury

I have had repetitive strain injury off and on for the past six years, throughout my arms. I barely notice it these days, and owe my recovery to this advice:

Principles of recovery

1. You can do stuff until the pain you feel subsides to your original state within half an hour.

2. You should do stuff. Don't do nothing: your muscles will atrophy and your nerves will lose the crucial support of surrounding muscle.

Greg Kuperberg has a page on Pinky RSI (Small Finger Flexor Digitorum Tendinitis/Tendinopathy). He rightly points out that while taking breaks is decent advice, it may still be necessary to modify your workspace, for example, reconfiguring computer keyboard layout. He gives advice on how to do so for his particular RSI. He also draws attention the useful distinction between -itis (inflamed) and -osis/-opathy (damaged but not necessarily inflamed).

The following is a documentation of my personal experiences with RSI. To anyone with RSI: I hope you find these useful.

• Personal history with RSI
• Following the principles
• Helpful changes in everyday behaviour
• Final notes