photo credit: Akajos

Research has indicated that massage helps with pain from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or RSI. I have personally tried this many times with poor results.  The problem may be that many massage therapists do not know how to lightly work on the affected areas.  After a massage my hands would feel like I typed far too long. It would take a day or two for me to recover.  I have since told them to omit any area from my forearms to my hands.

You may notice that your hands are usually cold due to poor circulation.  Mines were as I suffered through RSI.  I leard from my hand therapist that I could wear gloves most of the time to warm up my hands and improve circulation. No need to any special RSI glove, any glove will do.

There are many RSI support groups around the nation. I have attended the San Francisco RSI Support group and found it helpful. They have monthly sessions with knowledgeable speakers.

It is always great to learn new things, share tips with others, and realize that you are not alone in your recovery.

Pascarelli’s Book has a good chapter on when and how to do strengthening exercises by using weights. He does not talk about size of weights.

When I started his program, I started with very light 1lb dumbbell weights and slowly moved up after many months of therapy. I have been doing these exercises every morning for years.

As usual, consult your doctor and hand therapist for advice.

Taking breaks during computer use is critical to healing. I use a timer like this Polder Digital Timer to remind me to take breaks. I set it for say 20 minutes, then it beeps and I stop using the computer and take a break for 20 minutes.

You can vary the amount of computer usage and break length depending on your injury status.