RSIGuard Stretch Edition

RSIGuard Stretch Edition

Velcro wrist braces. Padded keyboard rests. Office chairs like beach balls on steroids. All ergonomically designed to prevent and treat workplace repetitive strain injuries (RSI) like carpal tunnel syndrome caused by sitting and typing all day, every day. One of the best things you can do about RSI is to make the problem part of the solution. RSIGuard Stretch Edition collects a variety of ergonomic tools in one easy-to-use package. Its Break Timer uses realistic models to suggest stretch breaks when you need them and leave you alone when you don’t. The AutoClick tool cuts down on mouse clicks, and the KeyControl’s macros help reduce keystroke. The DataLogger’s statistics can help you understand how and when you use your PC, and handy ForgetMeNots issue regular reminders about posture, stretching, and other ergonomic aids. RSIGuard is free to try for 45 days.

Setting up RSIGuard starts with creating a Personal Profile by checking off answers to a series of questions about your work habits, computer use, break time preferences, and so on. We could enable Microbreaks, define Work Restrictions, run a Device Survey, and change our settings at any time via the Setup menu. A small interface and system tray icon handle control duties. The Break Timer appeared on schedule and displayed optional stretch exercise videos. RSIGuard gave us lots of options for responding to its Break Needed messages, including starting our break time anyway even when we didn’t respond, which is sort of like showing yourself who’s boss, and exactly what entirely too many people need. We could also enable stretch reminders, something else most people need. Pressing Skip Break ends your break early, but a motherly nag asks if work is more important than your health. Well, is it?

RSIGuard’s stated mission is to help you develop healthy work habits. Prevention is always better than treatment and has a better outcome, too. You probably spend way more time in front of your computer than you realize. And, as your mother would say, you’re slouching. Do the math, then break bad habits and make better ones with help from RISGuard.

Many ergonomists, physical therapists, and doctors believe that stretching during breaks can be beneficial for preventing repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or reducing RSI symptoms. With “RSIGuard Stretch Edition”, you can view video stretch demonstrations during your breaks to guide you through regular stretching throughout your day. You can optionally also listen to spoken descriptions of the stretches, which can be helpful since watching the screen is difficult while doing some of the stretches.

If you have no symptoms of RSI, then stretching may help you. If you have any symptoms of RSI, you should discuss the idea of stretching with your doctor or health professional before you begin stretching. You should absolutely never do any of these stretches if they cause you any pain.

To enable stretches during breaks, check Show Stretches During Breaks.

Next, select the number of stretches to be shown each break (the default is 3). If you want to hear instructions while stretches are being shown, check Speak Stretch Instructions Aloud (requires a sound card).

You can preview any of the stretches by clicking on the name of the stretch.

You can select stretches to show or not to show by checking or unchecking the stretch in the stretch list.

Stretches will be shown during breaks in the order listed. You can change the order by selecting a stretch, and using the “Move Stretch UP/DOWN” buttons to reposition the stretch.

Alternately, you can check Show Stretches in Random Order if you want stretches to always occur in a different order.

Finally, selecting Do start-of-workday warm up stretch will give you stretches to do when you first start using your computer each day.