Part of today's work is to compare my own story with Armchair Linguist's success story.
Interestingly, my own RSI symptoms started developing around the same time (2004) and under similar circumstances---I was writing up my PhD thesis (and unconsciously putting myself under a huge amount of pressure). I also read The Mindbody Prescription around that time, but I didn't get a "book cure" and didn't really follow it up after that. In the following years, I did try lots of bodywork: Alexander Technique, chiropractic, PT, Active Release Techniques, acupuncture, etc. as well as stretching and strengthening. Nothing really helped beyond some perhaps short-term relief. In fact my symptoms got gradually worse and worse. At some point I introduced an ergonomic keyboard. I also learned all the keyboard shortcuts to minimize using the mouse.
Since learning about TMS, I certainly have less of a charge around getting these symptoms. I still get them, but I don't let them freak me out quite so much. I dare say the symptoms are a little bit better. Although I am using the computer a lot less than when I was working, right now I'm typing on a little laptop, which I wouldn't have dreamed of doing a year ago.
Interestingly, my own RSI symptoms started developing around the same time (2004) and under similar circumstances---I was writing up my PhD thesis (and unconsciously putting myself under a huge amount of pressure). I also read The Mindbody Prescription around that time, but I didn't get a "book cure" and didn't really follow it up after that. In the following years, I did try lots of bodywork: Alexander Technique, chiropractic, PT, Active Release Techniques, acupuncture, etc. as well as stretching and strengthening. Nothing really helped beyond some perhaps short-term relief. In fact my symptoms got gradually worse and worse. At some point I introduced an ergonomic keyboard. I also learned all the keyboard shortcuts to minimize using the mouse.
Since learning about TMS, I certainly have less of a charge around getting these symptoms. I still get them, but I don't let them freak me out quite so much. I dare say the symptoms are a little bit better. Although I am using the computer a lot less than when I was working, right now I'm typing on a little laptop, which I wouldn't have dreamed of doing a year ago.