Review of "Repetitive Strain Injury: Prevention Guide for Computer Users"

Written by: A E Sinclair Reviewed by: a BackCare Member (Spring 2006) Published by: Insight Innovations ISBN: 0 95478 620 3 Price: £7.99
The book is written by an IT professional who had Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) problems and did extensive research, consequently the language is very clear and easily understood with limited medical terminology. Although the author is not a medical professional I felt this was not at all an amateur effort and the amount of detail and areas covered was very impressive. The medical aspects and conditions are covered in a long introduction. The author goes on to explain how aspects of life and work are affected by/affect RSI and this is done very thoroughly and throughout. The more obvious issues discussed include good posture while using a computer with sections on: Typing Technique, Work Surface to the less obvious: Software. In another section, less obvious still, relationships with an employer are covered; along with types of work and working patterns. The final chapter, which covers treatment, includes information on: expectations, help and advice; and prompt treatment, which is advised throughout the book.
The book’s very well organised and includes: detailed contents and index; list of topics covered at the start of chapters; summary of the main points at the end of chapters. For each topic there is a bulleted list that forms a sort of checklist of things to do and I feel this will make it easy to refer back and tackle a particular topic. I think the book would be of benefit to those with and without RSI and should be essential reading for computer users.