Having suffered with RSI for over 10 years, and at one time or another dealt with: carpal tunnel, wrist flexor tendinitis, wrist extensor tendinitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, and upper extremity numbness.
I've been around the block a few times – enough to practically A/B test the various treatments out there.
I think this post covers things pretty well, although I have not had any luck with the psychosomatic approach, despite trying that too.
For the past 10 years, I've been retreating, so various things have worked at various times. I can't praise the kinesis keyboard enough, but unfortunately I'm too far gone for that. I currently use Dragon NaturallySpeaking for practically all of my typing, a bamboo tablet for mouse input, and a capacitive touch keyboard called a "cleankeys" for typing (it's made for dentist offices), although this is forcing me back to hunt and peck typing.
I've also had some limited success with some herbal and vitamin supplements at various times (and some definite failures).
However, my issues have not really improved a great deal until about nine months ago when I started a real strength training program (starting strength), although I have a few caveats for that program if anybody decides to pick it up.
I also believe that my upper extremity numbness is coming from some sort of thoracic outlet syndrome exacerbated by tight pectoralis minor muscles (I recently injured my pectoralis minor lifting weights and have noticed that my upper extremity numbness has gone away while I have been doing rehab stretching). I also had a nerve conduction test which came out perfect, so there's no impingement in the extremity itself.
Be careful with standing desks, because my shoulder tendinitis developed after switching to a standing desk and typing with my arm unsupported for a few months.
Not be self-promotional, but as a hobby I put together a website where I do reviews of RSI equipment for beer money: www.RSIinformation.com Most of what I would write in this comment is already elaborated quite a bit on the site.
The one thing that I would pass along is that tendon injuries do not heal correctly without stress. This means that tendinitis/tendinosis and a lot of other RSI issues will not heal simply from rest; you must "rehab" the tendon with exercise, but make sure it's the right kind.
I only wish that I knew 10 years ago when I know now, so if anybody is having issues, hit me up via email and I'm glad to help. I probably know more than your doctor does about RSI at this point.
I've been around the block a few times – enough to practically A/B test the various treatments out there.
I think this post covers things pretty well, although I have not had any luck with the psychosomatic approach, despite trying that too.
For the past 10 years, I've been retreating, so various things have worked at various times. I can't praise the kinesis keyboard enough, but unfortunately I'm too far gone for that. I currently use Dragon NaturallySpeaking for practically all of my typing, a bamboo tablet for mouse input, and a capacitive touch keyboard called a "cleankeys" for typing (it's made for dentist offices), although this is forcing me back to hunt and peck typing.
I've also had some limited success with some herbal and vitamin supplements at various times (and some definite failures).
However, my issues have not really improved a great deal until about nine months ago when I started a real strength training program (starting strength), although I have a few caveats for that program if anybody decides to pick it up.
I also believe that my upper extremity numbness is coming from some sort of thoracic outlet syndrome exacerbated by tight pectoralis minor muscles (I recently injured my pectoralis minor lifting weights and have noticed that my upper extremity numbness has gone away while I have been doing rehab stretching). I also had a nerve conduction test which came out perfect, so there's no impingement in the extremity itself.
Be careful with standing desks, because my shoulder tendinitis developed after switching to a standing desk and typing with my arm unsupported for a few months.
Not be self-promotional, but as a hobby I put together a website where I do reviews of RSI equipment for beer money: www.RSIinformation.com Most of what I would write in this comment is already elaborated quite a bit on the site.
The one thing that I would pass along is that tendon injuries do not heal correctly without stress. This means that tendinitis/tendinosis and a lot of other RSI issues will not heal simply from rest; you must "rehab" the tendon with exercise, but make sure it's the right kind.
I only wish that I knew 10 years ago when I know now, so if anybody is having issues, hit me up via email and I'm glad to help. I probably know more than your doctor does about RSI at this point.