How using Feathertail can help with RSI
What upper body RSI really is.
According to recent research, the conditions we refer to as RSI are a form of Tendinosis - a degeneration of the tendon’s collagen in response to chronic overuse; when overuse is continued without giving the tendon time to heal and rest.
We experience this as tingling, pain and occasionally stiffness. Unfortunately, the pain can be quite severe. In my case, RSI was near debilitating for several months, while I was figuring out how to respond effectively to the situation. Not fun!
Tendinosis is quite common in computer users and other professions, which tend to require repetitive movements. Sources points to a frequency between 1 in 25 and 1 in 50 working professionals. Of course, what’s of more relevance is what we need to do to manage the condition and eventually recover.
Tendinosis is a complicated biochemical and physiological process. It’s often confused with tendinitis, which is a related but different condition. An excellent article which delves into the detail of what causes tendinosis and some recommended treatments can be found here.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312643/
How Feathertail fits in
The main behavioral factor, which leads to tendinosis is putting tendons through more repetitive strain than they can handle.
We’ve designed Feathertail with this in mind. It’s a mouse you can use in a variety of different positions throughout the day, unlike traditional ergonomic mice and mouth joysticks. This helps the affected tissues rest. In particular, having the option to use a mouse you don’t have to hold can be instrumental in recovery from carpal tunnel and other related conditions.
Treatment for tendinosis recognized at an early stage can be as brief as 6–10 weeks; however, treatment once the tendinosis has become chronic can take up to 9 months. For many of us, it’s impractical/impossible to take off that much time from work. Feathertail can help bridge the gap, by allowing you to continue to work, while focusing on your recovery.
While a workflow which incorporates Feathertail might not be as efficient as one, which relies on repetitive movements through the wrist (using a traditional ergonomic mouse), the health benefits are more than worth it.
Feathertail also works great attached to wrist braces and wrist supports, helping speed up recovery from acute injury - something that’s quite challenging with other mice.
Other considerations.
Please have a look at the article on tendinosis referenced above. It points to a number of relevant resources and suggests complementary approaches to treatment of RSI. To share my 2 cents, in my case eccentric stretching, icing and rest have been key components in the recovery process.
