The Repetitive Strain Injury Recovery Book

by Deborah Quilter

Book Overview

More than 15 million people are affected by repetitive strain injury (RSI)-a condition that includes carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, and muscle pain caused by continually repeating small hand movements. RSI affects people in hundreds of occupations and activities, such as using a computer keyboard or mouse, playing a musical instrument, or working with hand-operated equipment and tools.

If you or someone you know suffers from...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595522289
• ISBN13: 9780595522286
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great, but one piece of important info omitted

Great book, except: Like many authors of medical self-help books, Quilter urges her readers to enlist competent medical help. Unfortunately, she does not say that although one can find good, knowledgeable physical therapists, it is almost impossible to find an American medical doctor who knows anything about RSI. She does not mention that although it is an official diagnostic category in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands, neither RSI, nor any medical synonyms (i.e. overuse syndrome, cumulative trauma disorder, etc.) appear in American diagnostic guides (although other "controversial" syndromes like Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome do!) So ... American doctors can not officially "know" about RSI. This also makes it difficult for RSIers to follow Quilter's most important recommendations -- rest and pacing, since we often need medical justification (at least a doctor's note) to get appropriate accomodations at work.

good practical tips for living with an RSI

I disagree with the reviews below, I thought this is a fine book, a good complement to the books "It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" by Damany and " Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries" by Sharon Butler. It's true the latter two have much more on specific exercises to help get you better and I liked the medical information in Damany. However they don't have a lot of practical information on how to cope with your life during the healing process when you can't do a lot of the things you normally do in your daily life. This book fills that gap. It's got lots of practical suggestions of how to do things when you're injured. It's more of broader focus than the other books on the overall changes you need to make beyond the specific exercise program. I would recommed someone with an RSI get all three books as the information is complementary.

This book allowed me to continue working

After a 6 month leave of absence, I returned to my legal secretary position and picked up right where I left off. I ended up with so much pain in my arms and hands I was taking massive doses of Motrin every 4 hours. The techniques described in this book showed me how to set up my work station properly, how to makeover my work habits and allowed me to continue working - while healing! After only several months (and without surgery), I was pain free and, after 3 years, am still doing great!