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I've done some writing consulting for Risk Systems, Inc., a firm which manages
a screening, treatment and prevention program for employees at risk of RSI and
related problems. You might be surprised at their findings, but the sample size
is quite extensive and the statistics are professionally produced and audited.
The presence or absence of certain "lifestyle factors" is an excellent
predictor of
the incidence of RSI, and they pretty well go along with what used to be called
"clean living." Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, aspartame (Nutra-Sweet),
high-fat/low-
fiber/low-vitamin diets are all implicated. Please note, this is NOT my version
of a sermon on lifestyle virtues -- that's your own business -- but rather a
nutshell of the findings. One thing you can do for yourself in preventing or
treating RSI is to take Vitamin B-6. It's not a sudden wonder drug, but taken
steadily over time it can be effective.
The findings of Risk Systems, Inc. indicate that ergonomic factors alone are
not sufficient to prevent or cause RSI. By contrast, employees with very bad
lifestyles are likely to get RSI even on lower-risk worksites, where employees
with squeaky-clean lifestyles seem almost impervious to RSI.
If you want to contact the company, I'll be glad to post their address.
