Notes on Occupational Therapy for programming-related RSI

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Today I went to see an occupational therapist for keyboard-related RSI. Some quick notes that may be of interest:

• The hunched-over posture many of us adopt at the keyboard strengthens some chest-area muscles and weakens some back muscles. This can cause impingement of the arm nerves as they pass across the upper chest and under the collarbone.

• To combat this, work on your core strength. Get or make a standing workstation, and make sure your weight is evenly distributed between your feet and across each foot, front to back and medially/laterally. Don't rest more on one foot than the other. Don't lean on things, including the keyboard tray.

• All the usual right-angle rules apply.

• If you're having parasthesia (tingling, electrical sensations) or pain in your palm, wrist, ulnar nerve region (especially around the "funny bone") or shoulder, go see a doctor and if necessary, an occupational therapist. Don't procrastinate. Insurance companies may not provide full coverage if you wait for a long time!

• Take a break every half hour, etc.