Thanks, Joly, for the reminder. I am always pleased when reminders about Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) aka Repetitive Strain Injuris (RSI) occur, especially since these have virtually disappeared from any media coverage (the media is a major producer of these injuries and has a vested interest in downplaying them).
However, I want to remind all and sundry, that CTS is not the only CTD/RSI. It was latched on to by aforementioned media because it is easy to describe and "illustrate"; and orthopedic surgeons like to operate as a "quick fix"--almost always a very bad choice. There is a long, ugly and equally painful list of other maladies which fall under the umbrella term CTDs/RSIs. These injuries are often very complicated and multifactorial in their origin, so you can't "fix" one aspect and ignore others. Please, take the time to educate yourselves and to work safely. You do NOT want to join the legions of chronic pain patients and those for whom arms and hands have become "decorative appendages" rather than useful limbs; who watch their lives and work receding into an irretrievable past. There is NO shortcut or quick fix in treating these injuries. The best "cure" is prevention; failing that, proper diagnosis (this means an MD with occupational health training; don't assume; ask and confirm credentials), medical care (including physical therapy, etc.) and changing how you live and work. Ignoring these can lead you down the primrose path to permanent pain and permanent disability. So, you think it can't happen to you? Well, you're wrong. Here are a few additional resources: Pascarelli, Emil, MD and Deborah Quilter, Repetitive Strain Injury: A Computer Users Guide. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1994. [One of the first, and still one of the best introductions to these injuries. There are many others.] Sorehand Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): http://www.ucsf.edu/sorehand/ (You may also subscribe to the Sorehand Listserv; high traffic) Typing Injury Frequently Asked Questions (TIFAQ): http://www.tifaq.org/ Computer-Related Repetitive Strain Injury: Paul Marxhausen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. http://eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html Bibliography: http://eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html#LEARN Findadoc: http://eeshop.unl.edu/findadoc.html Musician’s Page: http://eeshop.unl.edu/music.html NIOSH/Other Web Sites/Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders: List of links from NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/ Databases and Information Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/database.html eNews (newsletter): http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews Occupational Safety and Health Topics: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ Publications and Products: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pubs.html Note: NIOSH publishes a fax only monthly list of current publications on occupational health documents; you may request to be added to the list if you wish. NIOSH also produces a CD which contains all of their musculoskeletal documents, which you may request from them, as follows: NIOSH Musculoskeletal Documents on CD-ROM: Preventing Work-Related Disorders DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-122 (800) 356-8573 telephone (513) 533-8573 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cdc.gov If you order from NIOSH, they will send however many copies you request. Also, because they are taxpayer-funded, the docs are public domain, and you may, if you wish, add them to the office network, etc., as well as hand out individual copies. Those of you who are teachers and/or train young people PLEASE include health and safety in your computer training. NOTE: I have quite a few of the CDs; I was on the waiting list for copies (they ran out and had to make more) and these did not arrive until after the last RSI day (Feb 28) event (which none of you, I would note, attended...). In any case, if you'd like one from me, let me know; I can bring copies to the next ISOC meeting. I also have many more references than listed above (the internet listing alone is 36 pages). I have extra print copies, updated for Feb 28, 2007, and will bring those as well for anyone who lets me know they'd like a copy, and attends the meeting to pick it up. I also have a biblio, general resources (city/state/federal, medical, etc.) and a "handy hints" (activities of daily living; ways to minimize past, current or future wear and tear on the body). Feel free to e-mail me off list, if you wish, for any additional information. trina Joly wrote: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm You're working at your desk, trying to ignore the tingling or numbness you've had for months in your hand and wrist. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shoots through the wrist and up your arm. Just a passing cramp? More likely you have carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist. The National Institute of Health presents this carpal tunnel syndrome fact sheet. _______________________________________________ Discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.isoc-ny.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
