http://www.rsi-relief.com/2005/07/reaching-for-pain/ Repetitive Strain Injury Prevention, Support, & Recovery Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:30:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.rsi-relief.com/2005/07/reaching-for-pain/#comment-29 Erwin Mon, 08 Aug 2005 18:35:56 +0000 http://rsi-relief.com/blog/archives/2005/07/reaching-for-pain/#comment-29 It is better to put items you use a lot closer to your body, I agree. But this will not affect the muscles of the hand and forearm (much). Biomechanics and knowledge of lever arms will tell you that extending the arm has the most effect on joints that are the farthest removed from the hand, so shoulder, neck and back. If you grab something now and then that is a bit of a reach, that will not be a problem. Might even be good for you to move a bit. If you need to do that very often, or if you need to hold a certain position with arms away from your body, it's different. That creates static tension in your muscles, impeding blood flow, causing fatigue and in some (many?) cases RSI. Holding your mouse for long periods of time (without even using it actively), especially when it is not close to your body, increases the chance to get RSI. It is better to put items you use a lot closer to your body, I agree. But this will not affect the muscles of the hand and forearm (much). Biomechanics and knowledge of lever arms will tell you that extending the arm has the most effect on joints that are the farthest removed from the hand, so shoulder, neck and back. If you grab something now and then that is a bit of a reach, that will not be a problem. Might even be good for you to move a bit. If you need to do that very often, or if you need to hold a certain position with arms away from your body, it’s different. That creates static tension in your muscles, impeding blood flow, causing fatigue and in some (many?) cases RSI.
Holding your mouse for long periods of time (without even using it actively), especially when it is not close to your body, increases the chance to get RSI.

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