From Library Journal
Because its initial symptoms are innocuous, "repetitive strain injury [RSI] starts with a whisper and ends with a scream." Quilter, a health writer with her own website on RSI, focuses here on self-care and successfully living with RSI by taking a holistic approach, advocating relaxation and overall fitness. She offers tips for saving one's hands during daily tasks, improving one's sex life, and going back to work, along with the usual recommendations on ergonomics. Although much space is devoted to computer usage, the author acknowledges other occupations and activities that contribute to or aggravate RSI. The epilog provides a unique and upbeat approach by describing RSI's "gifts." Narrower in focus than Emil Pascarelli and Quilter's earlier Repetitive Strain Injury (LJ 2/94) or Sandra Peddie's Repetitive Strain Injury Sourcebook (LJ 12/97), this work is recommended for libraries serving people already diagnosed with RSI.?Dixie Jones, Louisiana State Univ. Medical Ctr. Lib., ShreveportCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Use of the hands is of crucial importance in daily life. This book explores the physical, psychological, and economic realities of long-term repetitive-strain injury (RSI) to the upper extremity, a topic on which Quilter conducts workshops and has published previously. A foreword by a hand surgeon claims that RSI is reaching epidemic proportions, due to "poor tool design and the increasingly repetitive nature of many jobs," particularly computer work. Since injury happens over months and years, it is often difficult to diagnose and treat, let alone find a practitioner able to help. Quilter charts the stages of injury, the often arduous paths to recovery, medical treatments available, self-help techniques (including relaxation and stress relief), proper posture and daily exercise, and how to protect the hands during home and work tasks. Ergonomic tips for common work-related situations, such as computer use, handwriting, and playing musical instruments, are covered. The author concludes with guidance on changing or creating careers. Penny Spokes

ANNOTATION

"Written by a woman who suffers from RSI, this book explains the best treatment & therapy options & offers tips on how to deal with RSI's emotional effects...in addition to clinical information, the book also relates personal RSI stories."

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This comprehensive strategy guide for recovery from Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) includes the best treatment and therapy options, both conventional and alternative; techniques to minimize the risk of further damage and help restore comfort and mobility, and much more. 224 pp.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal