It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals
by Jack Bellis, Suparna Damany MSPT

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Book Reviews of It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals

Book Review: Prime Resource for Computer Professionals
Summary: 5 Stars

I got the answer to that when I read "It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals", by Suparna Damany, MSPT and Jack Bellis. This book easily makes the "must read" category: in fact, in my opinion it makes it to the "if-you-only-get-one-book-on-RSI- get-this-one" category, although I don't think anything totally bumps Pascarelli and Quilter out of the number one spot. What I've said of P&Q, I say of this book: every computer professional needs to read it.

What's so great, other than the intriguing title? To begin, this book is a "second generation" work on RSI. That is, it draws on the literature, experiences, and discussions of patients and health care professionals who have been dealing with computer-related injuries over the past decade. As I read it I felt like I had a summation of almost everything I've ever read on the SOREHAND e-mail list regarding causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention, edited and well-presented in 230 pages. The authors' sources are discussed and presented *within the main text of the book* instead of in an appendix: and the authors' boldness in their convictions and suggestions is balanced by their strong encouragement to consult these other sources. Much of earlier RSI discussion and literature has tended to be cautious about ascribing causes and prescribing remedies, on the basis that people differ in their physiques, environment, activities, etc. Damany and Bellis shake off this caution, pointing out that there is so much that serious computer users have in common that distracting people with incipient RSI with too many options, some of them unlikely, may delay the action that needs to be taken. They do urge professional medical intervention for people with stage 2 RSI (defined in their book) but say that people with any trouble can immediately start addressing the root causes and draw from what has been learned to be true of the great majority of RSI sufferers.

Damany and Bellis are candid: they speak of "our theory" of RSI and instead of standing on authority are clear that what they present is how they believe RSI happens. They have done an excellent job at distinguishing root causes ; initial results; secondary results that become causes; and ultimate results in the painful circle of cumulative trauma injuries. They point out how discussions dealing with RSI, and treatment approaches to it, frequently are sidetracked by focussing on things that are results and symptoms instead of true causes.

Having read a lot of RSI literature I'm also aware that effectively presenting the welter of information - human anatomy, injury processes, diagnoses, therapies, prevention, ergonomics, exercises/stretches, lifestyle issues, etc. - is a daunting challenge. I think some people well versed in this subject area might be surprised how far into the book some "common" information is ultimately presented. Workstation ergonomic recommendations are fully dealt with only at page 193. However, on balance I think the authors have put the information in about as good a sequence as one could hope to have. Additionally, the writing style is personable, direct, and engaging.

Not only did this book make a good impression on somebody who's "read it all before"; I did learn new things. Not the least significant is that the shoulder and upper back problems that became serious for me only in the last year (over 5 years from my first encounter with RSI) are not unusual and in some ways are foundational to the whole RSI picture. Now, Pascarelli and Quilter's book DID prominently feature shoulder/back exercises as important for recovery and prevention: I just didn't think it was that important. I got past my "forearm tendonitis" to essentially being pain-free and functional .. . but the other upper-body weaknesses were lying in wait, and increased guitar playing brought on a whole raft of new symptoms (like hand numbness) that I had never experienced during my earlier, painful experiences. Damany and Bellis' emphasis and explanation of these particular issues completely align with what my doctor and physical therapist asserted when they sucessfully treated me for these new problems.

I think this up-to-date work really does cover it all. Well illustrated, to the point, firm in recommendations, it's hard for me to think of a better "starting point" for any "newbie" with RSI symptoms.

Summary of It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals

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