RSI Warrior is a software package I have used to fight RSI.  It brings up rest break reminders, stretches, ergonomics tips, and automatic mouse clicking. Try the Free Demo

AutoMouseClicker will automatically click the mouse for you, you can set it to click only after you move the mouse and to wait a certain amount of time.  This helps lessen the strain on your injuries. The less clicking the better. Best of all, it is free.

RSI Warrior is a software package I have used to fight RSI.  It brings up rest break reminders, stretches, ergonomics tips, and automatic mouse clicking. Try the Free Demo

Of course, the best bet is to try to minimize use of your computer! That works the best.

photo credit: vitelone

I have been keeping a log book listing my pain level with notes on what I did that day for a while.  I find it helpful to understand what aggrivates my condition and what therapies really helped.

I have an entry for when I wake, noon time, and evening time.  I use the 1-10 pain severity scale.

Because healing happens slowly, you can really see progress when comparing current results to logs months ago.

Pascarelli’s Book has a good chapter on when and how to do strengthening exercises to combat RSI or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by using weights. He does not talk about size of weights to use when weight training.

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

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

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.