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Does Computer Use Actually Cause Carpal Tunnel?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the tell-that-to-my-wrists dept.

BoldAC writes "A geek physician has reviewed the medical literature that explores if a relationship exists between computer use and carpal tunnel syndrome. 'Typing at the keyboard or using the mouse for hours and hours upon end just seems like it has to be horrible for your joints, right?' His conclusions certainly seem to contradict the thinking of many: 'The current research shows that computer use has very little role in causing carpal tunnel syndrome.' It even seems that both Harvard and the Journal of the American Medical Association agree with his conclusions."

1 of 339 comments (clear)

  1. I don't think RSI is caused by computer use either by nilesh_tms · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The following might explain what RSI really is (which is different than CTS, which I don't think is caused by computer use or repetitive strain at all). I am pretty much copying and pasting what I wrote the last time there was a Harvard research article about this subject:

    I cured what I thought was "RSI" using this "mindbody" approach:
    http://www.rsi.deas.harvard.edu/handout.doc
    (Coincidental that Harvard is hosting this document, maybe the researchers should look at it themselves)

    Here is the Google cache for those who don't want to open a .doc.

    I suffered for 1.5 years (where I didn't work because I didn't think I could) before I found that my cure was a completely psychological approach. From my research of CTS (as well as what my doctor told me), it is completely unrelated to typing. And from my experience with "RSI" and understanding what it actually was, I no longer believe you can actually hurt yourself from typing too much.

    I now type sometimes all day long without taking many breaks. I play guitar, bass, and drums. I don't worry about posture at all. Ergonomics are only a way for me to get comfortable, not to avoid injury. I have no pain at all, and don't worry about ever having "RSI" again. It's been 3 years since I cured myself.

    Please read up on the approach I'm talking about here before you flame me. It actually makes sense once you put all the pieces together. You can also search for "sarno tms" to find more info.

    Read the book "The Mindbody Prescription" by John E. Sarno if you can.