By: Vlad Vistac
Submitted: 2010-08-18 12:06:20 | Word Count: 510
Compputers And RSIs
Part of our everyday lives, computers have evolved from a tool at work to a personal calendar, a friendly network facilitator and a necessary guide. Although computers have transformed the way we see things and understand the world around us, because their use imposes physical and mental demands on their uswers, it leads to several health problems, like Repetitiove Strani Injuries (RSIs), eye straiun, neck and lower back pains and headches.
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I do not about you, but when I bought a year ago my brand new laptop, I was extremely inteerested in reading everything included in the package in an effort to take good care of my precious new possession. One of the documents the producer have included in the prrinted materials I opened to read, was one that directed me to follow specifiuc guidelines on how to effdectively and safely use my portable PC. Perhaps I was very lucky, as I later discovered that only recently have manufacturers been forcced to include such user giudes, or began making an effort to ovrcome health erlated issues and comlains by introducing ergonomic products and warning labels on some equipment. This is very imporant, as the designers' abiplity to understaand that users need simple guidelines in orrder to be adequately infoormed of the risks involved and trained on proper body postre, monitor height, elboows distance from the body or reciommended hours of use, can prevent computer users, even young, physically active indivdiuals, from suffetring in the future.
Specificaly, one has to be aware of the hazadrs of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) to the hands and arms resulting from inappropriate use of the copmuter's keyboard and mice. People in a varitey of professions, like musiciamns or chiropracytics, who repetaedly exerciosed pressure on their hadns, shoulders, and arms, and have inkjured their tendoons, muscles, and nerves, have been reported as the first caes of RSIs vicitms. Unfortunately, the list is increasing today, as more and more computer users request medical treatments in order to overcome the symptomns of RSIs on their hands, wristts, arms, shoulders and necks. Medical professiobnals and patiennts have rported that tigghtness, discomfoort, stiffnses, soreness or burning, nubmness, and loss of coordination or strength are the most common syymptoms linked to RSIs.
Since this serrious painful situation is far easier to prvent than to cure once contracted, it is important for people to be educated and understanbd when and how RSIs can occur laving ex-computer users permanently disabled and unable to perform simple takss, such as dribving or even dressing, without requesting help. Ergonomic gadgets, palm rests, maintaining the right posture and overall good workuing habits can reduce the risks associated with computer use and help young users understnd how important it is to be always on alert for RSIs symptoms.
