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The following article, with minor revisions, is reprinted from the A.R.M.S. newsletter with the permission of the editor and the author.

Living and Having RSI
Things That Have Worked and Ways I've Changed
by Daniel Newman

Physical

Physical therapy--At home exercises (stretches, roller, light weights); Trigger point pressure

Hot/cold (soaking hands and using hot and cold packs)

Rest and relaxation--lots of it

Sleep--lots of it

Meditation/deep relaxation (listening to music, relaxation tapes, or just silence--30 to 60 minutes before going to sleep)

Splint (in early stages)

Fingerless gloves

Exercise (swimming, walking)

Bodywork--lots of it (massage, cranio-sacral, Feldenkrais)

Soaking in hot tubs

Becoming ambidextrous--using left hand (which is less severely injured than right)

Rolling tennis ball under bare feet (to help relax in general)

Multivitamins and vitamin B6 (100 mg)

Mental/Emotional/Lifestyle

No more "work first, sleep (and relax) later." Sleep, stress reduction, and relaxation are now top priority. General shift from time spent working to time spent relaxing.

Getting used to asking for help from both friends and strangers.

Shift in time and energy from doing things to planning, organizing, and coordinating what other people are doing.

Change in attitude toward money, relatively more toward spending on the present and relatively less toward saving.

Taking vacations has dramatically improved my health in a relatively short period of time.

Grieving for loss of health, and grieving when contemplating healing and improvement. Living with an injury day to day, it is emotionally difficult to imagine improved health, even when it seems realistic and likely that improved health will occur.

Approaching both healing and particular circumstances as problems to be solved, and turning attention toward solutions.

Saying "no" to others when a particular task would be stressful or physically difficult.

Saying "no" to myself (setting limits); learning to weigh benefits of task against physical costs.

Organizing home and office to reduce stacks of paper and make it physically easier to be productive.

Learning to direct people who help me and perform services for me. "Ordering people around" can take getting used to.

Continually growing awareness of posture and body in general.

Interest in alternative medicine and holistic health that did not previously exist.

Adaptive

Telephone headset, directory assistance service, speed dial service, all free in California from Pacific Bell. Call (800) 772-3140, I now own 3 headset phones (2 purchased myself).

Paying (or asking) for useful services

House cleaning

Laundry wash and fold (costs about $5 or $6 per load)

Hiring assistant to help sort papers and organize house

Eating out (or take out) or frozen foods (Trader Joe's brand recommended)

Use Xerox machine with sheet feeder and automatic stapler

Store delivery services (office supplies, furniture)

Airport shuttle driver and skycap handle luggage

Bank teller will write deposit slip

Having a housemate to help out

Folding luggage cart with wheels. These carts are durable and incredibly useful. For errands and shopping, not just luggage. ($25 at luggage and department stores)

Electric can opener; food processor

Sharp knives (bring existing ones to be sharpened); Good Grip brand knives; electric knife

Pre-chopped garlic, pre-grated cheese

Light weight, non-stick pans ("Tefal" brand is good and inexpensive)

Handi-grip jar opener. ($16 postpaid, Berkeley Voice Solutions, (510) 644-9435)

Thoughtful arrangement of kitchen to minimize awkward postures and unnecessary hand use (same applies to other rooms)

Computer with voice recognition software--talk instead of type. Works with all computer programs, including word processors, spreadsheets, e-mail, and the World Wide Web. This article was created entirely by voice. Berkeley Voice Solutions, (510) 644-9435

Able Table adjustable table and bookstand ($65 postpaid, Berkeley Voice Solutions, or try Kantor's Office Supply in Oakland, CA)

Letter opener with small razor blade ($2 at office supply store)

Felt-tip pens (I bring them everywhere--my favorite is Berol Fine Point 7700, $4 per dozen at Office Depot. By mail: (800) 685-8800)

Electric stapler (Stanley Bostitch, $35 at Office Depot)

Wire bookstands ($8); transparent stick-on dots for highlighting reading (manufactured by Avery, at office supply store)

Read 'n Easy plastic bracket holds paperback books open ($4, call Robin McRae, (510) 524-9748)

Slant board writing surface ($40-$100, Back Designs, Berkeley, CA, (510) 849-1923)

Adjustable, comfortable chair

Homemade ergonomic chair--use straight back chair ($50 at Discount Depot furniture store) and two inflatable cushions with straps ($15 each at Back Designs, Berkeley, CA)

Sneakers with Velcro instead of laces

Waist pack to carry things

Avoiding carrying things except when absolutely necessary (this takes much thought and organization)

For students: Disabled Student's Program services

Scribes and note-takers

Article and book delivery service

Periodically and continually asking myself, "What's the most difficult physical task I routinely face?" and scheming to make it easier.

c. 1996 by Daniel Newman, Owner, Berkeley Voice Solutions.
Comments welcome--mail: 2039 Shattuck Ave. Ste.,. #403, Berkeley, CA 94704; phone: (510) 644-9435; fax (510) 644-9436; email: sales@pcvoice.com; Web: www.pcvoice.com. Non-commercial reproduction permitted if entire document is reproduced.

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Page created 26 March 1997

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