From owner-sorehand@ITSSRV1.UCSF.EDU Sat Nov 25 14:44:38 1995 Return-Path: Received: from itssrv1.ucsf.edu by unlinfo.unl.edu (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA18829; Sat, 25 Nov 95 14:44:35 CST Received: from ITSSRV1 (itssrv1.ucsf.EDU [128.218.1.200]) by itssrv1.ucsf.edu (8.6.8/8.6.6) with SMTP id MAA25131; Sat, 25 Nov 1995 12:28:26 -0800 Received: from ITSSRV1.UCSF.EDU by ITSSRV1.UCSF.EDU (LISTSERV-TCP/IP release 1.8b) with spool id 178332 for SOREHAND@ITSSRV1.UCSF.EDU; Sat, 25 Nov 1995 12:28:16 +1600 Received: from mail04.mail.aol.com (mail04.mail.aol.com [152.163.172.53]) by itssrv1.ucsf.edu (8.6.8/8.6.6) with ESMTP id MAA25119 for ; Sat, 25 Nov 1995 12:28:15 -0800 Received: by mail04.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) id PAA05411 for SOREHAND@itssrv1.ucsf.edu; Sat, 25 Nov 1995 15:28:29 -0500 Message-Id: <951125152829_33624805@mail04.mail.aol.com> Date: Sat, 25 Nov 1995 15:28:29 -0500 Reply-To: "Discussion of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis etc.." Sender: "Discussion of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis etc.." From: NYTM@AOL.COM Subject: "KeyMoves" - Software Version of "The HAND Book" is released To: Multiple recipients of list SOREHAND Status: RO This is an announcement for Sorehand subscribers whose health-care specialists have told them that they are still able to type: On December 1st, the company which I represent (Ergonome Incorporated, details later in this message) will release advance copies of a new ergonomic software program for the prevention of RSI caused by incorrect use of computer keyboards. The software is called "KeyMoves", and is based on a book which we also publish called "The HAND Book (Preventing Computer Injury)". Written by a concert pianist named Stephanie Brown, "The HAND Book" has gained considerable renown among occupational safety and medical experts since its publication early in 1994, largely because of Brown's unique keyboard methodology, which she adapted from the piano to the computer. The book is used both as prevention for the uninjured and as retraining for the injured who can return to the keyboard. "KeyMoves" software has the same purpose, as is described in this excerpt from a recent newpaper article: "A pianist's keys to preventing repetitive stress - Stephanie Brown wrote 'Preventing Computer Injury: The HAND Book', a guide to correct keyboarding. Her book is written specifically for computer users and has been sold in bulk to large corporations and medical institutions. 'Just as people take lessons to fix their golf or tennis game, they must now learn a better way to type,' she says. Experts agree that prevention is the best way to deal with RSI. The proper techniques and exercises now may mean avoiding pain and treatment later. 'KeyMoves', a software version of The HAND Book, is due out this fall." USA TODAY Another review stated: "Stephanie Brown has produced an excellent book focusing on the potential harm in certain keyboard techniques. The HAND Book identifies common positions that may damage your hands and wrists and shows how to correct them. Each chapter demonstrates several incorrect ways to type, then presents an exercise to help you find the best way to position yourself at the computer. Ms. Brown describes her topics well and in a readable style for the layperson. This book should be read by everybody engaged in keyboard work, especially those who are already bordering on some type of Repetitive Stress Injury. The corrections to poor technique are easy to learn and will soon become second nature. Stephanie Brown has offered an alternative to RSIs." SYSADMIN More reviews of Brown's keyboard methodology are excerpted at the end of this post, but first a few more words describing "KeyMoves" and its derivation from "The HAND Book": The book has two sections: Part One is called "At Your Keyboard", and Part Two, "Caring for Your Hands". The latter section contains warmups, stretches and a variety of therapeutic exercises and tips. However, the unique value of Stephanie Brown's work - upon which its medical and occupational safety credentials rest - lies in "At Your Keyboard". This is a series of lessons and exercises which show people, with simple text and lots of photographs, exactly what to do, and what not to do, with their hands and fingers at the keyboard (either conventional or "ergonomic") in order to avoid keyboard-related RSI. "KeyMoves" contains a software rendering of "At Your Keyboard", but instead of print on paper, "KeyMoves" has some 110 full-color screens, with dozens of high-resolution color photographs of hands on the keyboard, arranged in right-way/wrong-way, "Do/Don't" juxtaposition. This is preceded by a section called "Adjusting Your Workstation", in which the user progresses through an engaging, animated sequence showing all of the steps necessary for proper workstation setup - a prerequisite for correct keyboard use, in our opinion. The "At Your Keyboard" section of "KeyMoves" has two paths. In the quick way, called the "Photo Tour", the user is shown all the right-way/wrong-way photographs in just ten minutes. This is followed by the longer path, called "The Complete Tour", which takes about an hour. In it Stephanie Brown's complete safe keyboarding methodology is shown and told in twelve chapters of four screens each - again, with photographs in full color, animation, and simple exercises for the hands and fingers, both on and off the keyboard. "The Complete Tour" has a unique Chapter Guide, enabling the user to go instantaneously to a desired chapter - "The Floating Wrist" ... "Ungluing Your Elbows" ... "Thumbs" ... "Knuckle Tilt" ... "Expand Your Hand" ... "Relaxing Your Rings and Pinkies" ... etc. As was mentioned above, "KeyMoves" will only be useful to people whose health-care specialists have told them that they are still able to type. The program will not help those who have been told to abstain from keyboard use. Like the book, "KeyMoves" is being marketed first to large corporations, medical institutions and government agencies. Although it will not be released in retail software outlets for several months, advance copies of "KeyMoves" in both Windows and Macintosh will be available to Sorehand subscribers starting December 1st. Information on how to order "KeyMoves" may be obtained by sending e-mail to: KeyMoves@aol.com "KeyMoves" is published and distributed by: ERGONOME INCORPORATED 145 West 96th Street, Suite 800 New York, NY 10025 Telephone (212) 222-9600 Telefax (212) 222-6699 Thank you for your time and attention. Thomas Mowrey, President ERGONOME INCORPORATED ______________________________________________________ Following are some additional reviews of Stephanie Brown's safe keyboarding methodology from the press, from occupational safety and health organizations and from medical professionals: "Companies working to unravel the gnawing problem of repetitive strain injuries are listening to an unlikely expert on the topic - Juilliard-trained concert pianist Stephanie Brown. 'Stephanie Brown's is really the only book that explains in a nice, clear and easy way why we're wrecking our hands,' said Gordon Engel, chief of orthopedic surgery at Kaiser Permanente. 'There's nothing as good as this one.'" THE SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER "The HAND Book by Stephanie Brown is a 100-page book on how to use the hands, arms and body in ways that avoid discomfort when you're keyboarding. In my opinion it is required reading for occupational health professionals involved in promoting keyboard comfort and, indeed, for everyone who uses a keyboard." International Ergonomics Association JOURNAL "Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and other repetitive stress injuries are epidemic among computer users, but help has arrived with the publication of The HAND Book. It contains a new method for both the prevention of repetitive stress injuries and the retraining of those already injured. Brown, a concert pianist, started developing the principles described in her book 10 years ago. 'It's well-known that certain positions and motions can cause injury in practically every sport," she says. "Using a computer keyboard is no different. It's a vigorous, microathletic workout for the hands and fingers. Do it wrong and you're asking for trouble.'" COMPUTER WORLD "The HAND Book aims to help computer users prevent injuries by avoiding dangerous hand positions. Brown has identified a direct link between incorrect, strained finger and hand positions at the keyboard and subsequent injury. Instead, keyboard users can experience the comfortable and relaxed feel of the correct positions by working through a series of 14 easy to follow lessons." THE FINANCIAL TIMES "The HAND Book describes and illustrates exercises that can be used to prevent repetitive strain injuries. It discusses hand positions and motions to avoid, suggests appropriate substitutes, and concentrates on the clearly defined and pictured preventive exercises and hand and body postures. Brown writes in a simple, accurate, and easily understood manner. This book will be helpful to anyone who sits at a keyboard." BYTE "This book stands out in that it tells a user not just the correct hand positions to use in typing, but also how to learn them so as not to have hand problems. The author is a concert pianist who developed and taught this approach for students and adapted the same methods for computer operators after seeing similar musculosketal problems. The book sets out a series of easy-to-follow lessons teaching how to feel relaxed and to adopt the correct hand techniques." American Industrial Hygiene Association JOURNAL "This practical handbook offers new methods for both the prevention of repetitive stress injuries and the retraining of those already injured. Keyboard users work through 14 easy-to-follow lessons on ways to use the keyboard in a more comfortable, relaxed position to avoid injuries caused by dangerous hand positions." American Society of Safety Engineers PROFESSIONAL SAFETY MAGAZINE "To show computer operators how to use their hands safely, to avoid repetitive stress injuries, pianist Stephanie Brown has written The HAND Book. The book include simple exercises to facilitate the easy establishment and maintenance of fingers for a safe, fluid keyboard style." California Occupational Safety and Health Administration THE REPORTER "The book has detailed descriptions of how to avoid positions that put stress on the arms and hands, accompanied by illustrative photographs. Brown applies many of the methods she uses to teach her music students correct postures to this discussion of proper typing techniques." VDT NEWS The Computer Health and Safety Report "I believe that [The HAND Book] very accurately points out the postural and positional flaws in keyboard technique which can lead to a wide variety of musculoskeletal symptoms ... and that the principles and techniques presented in it represent a logical and cost effective approach to the control of symptoms associated with keyboarding." Peter A. Nathan, M.D., Director Portland (Oregon) Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation Center "The HAND Book is a triumph. There is an enormous need for this book, which sets a new standard in practical preparation for physiologic and biomechanical survival at the keyboard." Frank R. Wilson, M.D. (Neurology) Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco "The HAND Book gives clear and succinct guidelines for safe use of the hand and wrist at the keyboard. Moreover, the photographs in it are outstanding and should be posted at every computer work station." Nancy Byl, PT, MPH, Ph.D., Director Graduate Program in Physical Therapy University of California, San Francisco To: Dr. Peter C. Amadio, Orthopaedic Surgeon Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota Dear Dr. Amadio, "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this long overdue, timely and most important information. I wish I had been afforded the opportunity to read such a manual 20 years ago, but even with many years of keyboarding experience using incorrect hand positions, I find I would have no difficulty implementing the program espoused by Ms. Brown. It is my firm belief that this manual should be mandatorily available in every workplace and school where keyboarding/typing are practiced or taught." Ms. Phyllis Hove Champlain, Minnesota