Helen Johnson

I have worked with computers as a web designer and developer for the last 5 years. I use a computer all day at work, and often for a few hours at night. Well I did until recently when I was struck with RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).

After visiting a doctor and then a physiotherapist it turns out that I was developing the early stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. It all started one night when the fingers in my right hand went number and had pins-and-needles. The numbness went away to leave a burning ache in my elbow and shoulder. It all passed within a day and I put it down to sitting badly at my home computer that night.

Everything went back to normal. Until a few weeks later my left arm, shoulder and neck decided to ache and burn. So I decided to see a doctor who referred me onto a physiotherapist. It turns out that my neck is the main culprit behind it all, because that is where the nerves go that run up your arms. So because I may not have been sitting the best or using an ergonomic mouse or keyboard I have hurt my neck as well as straining the nerve that runs down and into the wrist (carpal tunnel).

I am a little surprised that I have been affected by RSI. While I may not have had the perfect posture when sitting at a desk, I don’t believe that I was very bad either. Because I mostly use a laptop I have always used an external keyboard, wireless mouse and put the laptop on a stand. During my working life I have seen so many people with a lot more bad habits than I have; always looking down at their screen, using a laptops keyboard and mouse for all work, slouching on an angle or lying back in their chair. I suppose it just goes to show that the stress of working with computers affects everyone differently.

So now I am trying to my bad habits; I am trying to sit with better posture and not slouch, taking frequent breaks to stretch my arms, shoulders and neck, I have cut back my after work computer use to almost zero to give my arm and neck a good rest, and I am ordering in a serious ergonomic keyboard and mouse from the US. While I am still getting a bit stiff and sore in the neck and shoulders it seems to be under control at the moment so hopefully I have averted disaster.