ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?  A Self-Help Guide for Sufferers of Back Pain,
Neck Strain, Headaches, RSI, and other Associated Problems.  Andrew Wilson,
Optima (London), 1994. Pbk 6.99ukp.  ISBN 0-356-21060-X

Andrew Wilson is an osteopath with a special interest in sitting postures. 
He regards long periods of sitting as unhealthy, and considers this a major
factor in musculoskeletal injuries.   Besides recommending frequent breaks,
exercises, and changes of position, he goes into great and illuminating
detail about various sitting postures, and why some put greater strain on
the muscles and spine than others.  I expected this to be no more than
common sense, but I ended up learning a great deal.

He starts with a very clear explanation of how the natural curves of the
spine can be distorted by certain postures, while others allow a natural
balance.  For keyboard work, he recommends a forward-tilt seat, which
didn't sound at all comfortable to me.  Having tried it, though, I agree
with him: it's much more comfortable than a level seat, and keeps me from
"collapsing" my spine.  (He also recommends kneeler chairs.)

Having covered sitting postures thoroughly, he moves on to self-help: how
to set up your workstation, what to do if you develop symptoms, etc.  He
gives an excellent brief summary of the kinds of treatment you're likely to
come across, their advantages and disadvantages.  Here's what he says about
cortisone shots:

      "Some GPs and specialists favour the use of local injections
      of corticosteroid into the site of injury.  This provides a
      powerful anti-inflammatory effect that can significantly
      alleviate pain and swelling.  If the injection is well sited,
      the period of relief can last for four to six weeks.  Once
      again, by suppressing pain, part of the body's alerting system
      for tissue trauma is removed and it becomes easier to continue
      an injury-promoting activity.  Corticosteroid injections
      should only be used if there is an adequate diagnosis and the
      cause of the complaint has been fully addressed.  It is
      generally recognised that corticosteroid injuections should not
      be used repeatedly.

      "Side effects:  Injections into tendons are not advised.  These
      have been associated with tissue degeneration and increased
      risk of rupture.  Injection into joint spaces has been
      associated with breakdown of the joint cartilage."

He is equally unenthusiastic about surgery.  He recommends trigger point
therapy (there are pictures showing the trigger points for various pain
areas), massage, icing, exercise, "mobilisation" therapies such as
physiotherapy, and relaxation.  He gives exercises for specific areas of
the body (i.e., neck, shoulders, forearms, wrists, etc.) which I have found
very effective and pleasant to do.  He also goes into nutrition (some
vitamins and minerals have been particularly associated with muscular
disorders) and how to breathe (with your diaphragm).  However, he doesn't
discuss keyboard or mouse use, and how the various alternatives can affect
cause or ease particular problems, which seemed rather an unfortunate gap
in an otherwise very thorough book.

Finally, there's a list of useful addresses, a three-page bibliography, and
an appendix which summarizes the Display Screen Regulations (1992).  All in
all, I found this a very helpful and enlightening book. I recommend it.

Copyright (c) Ellen Mizzell                      | oh@tictac.demon.co.uk
All Rights Reserved                              | emizzell@echonyc.com