Repetitive stress injuries

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) can occur when a certain muscle or tendon is repeatedly overused and forced into an unnatural position. The exact causes of RSIs are not understood, but it is thought that awkward posture, the amount of repetition, the force used in the activity, and your physiology and lifestyle may all contribute to their occurrence.

One RSI often discussed in connection with computer use is a wrist problem called carpal tunnel syndrome, which may be aggravated by improper use of computer keyboards. This nerve disorder results from excessive pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist to the hand. The information on the next few pages can help you recognize hand positions that may cause discomfort.

Since the effects of repetitive movement associated with computer use can be compounded by those of other work and leisure activities to produce or aggravate physical problems, proper use of your computer system must be considered just one element of a healthy lifestyle. No one can guarantee that you won’t have problems even when you follow the most expert advice on using computer equipment. You should always check with a qualified health specialist if muscle, joint, or eye problems occur.

30 Chapter 1: Setting Up Your Macintosh PowerBook

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Apple 145B manual Repetitive stress injuries