INTRODUCTION

Australia had a well documented epidemic of RSIs especially in Australia Telecom. At one point, it has been said that 26 percent of the civil service was on sick leave. At Telecom, up to 40 percent of workers were affected. More than three-quarters of the patients were women (83 percent at Telecom). A report of the time pretty well labelled RSIs a psychosomatic problem. It also recommended changing the name to Occupational Overuse Syndrome, and then concluded that for most patients the problem was all in their (middle-aged, female, blue-collar) minds. RSI injuries in Australia seem to have become conditions which are no longer talked about for fear of being labelled a malingerer or out for an easy ride. (If only they knew!!)...... Damian Ireland who was an Assistant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne certainly gave RSI sufferers a bad name by his comments. Here is a sample of his statements:

Occupations in which RSI is prevalent are usually dull, monotonous, repetitious and boring...The occupations prone to RSI are generally lower paid than most. RSI is seldom seen in rapid moving repetitious jobs where there is a financial reward for productivity; but it is seen where workers have to produce a required tally to keep their job but have no other financial incentive. RSI is best defined as an occupational neurosis affecting young to middle aged (predominantly female) employees engaged in the low paying, monotonous, low glamour occupations. There is no history of injury nor are there clinical features of it...Once RSI is established the prerequisites for successful treatment are as follows. The patient must be prepared to accept the possibility that some component of the condition is psychological. An aggressive denial at this stage indicates poor prognosis and renders subsequent treatment ineffective...The prescription of anti-inflammatory medication, splinting, physiotherapy and other treatments--which are directed at non existent organic disease--is misguided, wasteful, and useless; and serves only to advertise the ignorance of the medical profession. Ergonomic alteration of work equipment serves no useful purpose in minimising or alleviating RSI, although it might relieve neck ache and back pain.

It is up to each and every one of us who has suffered an occupational overuse injury or who is currently suffering an injury to make our workplaces safer for everyone. It is much too late to turn back the clock once a permanent injury has occurred and although we too have heard the standard excuse - the budget won't allow the purchase of that equipment etc. etc. remember that your health is so very important and sometimes it is worth the effort to have a much better quality of life both within and outside the working environment. Trying to find support groups and treatment options is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. Many sufferers have gone underground and are suffering in silence for fear of being ridiculed and ostracised. Once, there were support groups in every state of Australia and most regional centres. Now it is difficult to find the one or two active groups in Australia and trying to locate the lost souls who have either given up the struggle or who continue to fight their battles alone. Whilst searching for RSI/OOS/CTD support groups here in Australia we seem to have come up against brick walls. The following information documents the only active support group of which we are aware, and the ACT group is well worth contacting as they have been supporting RSI sufferers for a number of years and they also put out a very interesting newsletter which is vital reading :

ACT RSI Support Group Inc.
P.O. Box 717
Mawson, ACT 2607
Australia
Phone: (06) 290 1984

OKAY, SO YOU ARE INJURED. WHAT TO DO NEXT?

• Good records are essential. Document every letter written, both to and from, every phone call made and received and especially names and dates of any contacts when making enquiries about your claim. It is a good idea to also keep the envelopes the letters arrive in as sometimes the dates of the letters contained within and the postmarked date do not tally and it is imperative that you keep records of any date tampering by the powers to be. Keep records of the NAME (and, if necessary, title) of everyone to whom you speak. You may need to refer back to that person and it does back your story if they deny knowing anything about your case or the matter in question.



• If you are in a position to do some internet searching you will find many sites with information about RSI/OOS/CTD. You can enter the term "Repetitive Strain Injury", "Occupational Overuse Syndrome", "Carpal Tunnel" etc. to find information from all over the world. Some sites worth visiting are on the main web page.
  



• Join or form a support group so that you have resources, practical and emotional, upon which you may draw when necessary. Sorehand is a list server which puts you in touch with other sufferers of RSI/OOS/CTD and is a great resource when wading through the minefields of information you will be chasing. You will not feel so alone in your struggles and feel part of a very supportive group of friends in time.
  
  

  Two books which are constantly recommended for purchase are:

  Repetitive Strain Injury : A Computer User's Guide
  

  by Emil Pascarelli, MD and Deborah Quilter.
  
  

  Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive

  Strain Injuries: A Self-Care Program
  

  by Sharon J. Butler
  
  

  Another book recently released is titled :

  Repetitive Strain Injuries
  

  By Timothy J. Jameson, D.C.
  

  This book details alternative treatments & prevention

  and is richly illustrated with diagrams & photographs.
  
  





• Take control of your own life and research various treatment options and your medical and legal rights. If you are a member of a union utilise their services and double check every statement you are given if you are unsure as to the accuracy of same. As a union member you may also be entitled to free legal support and it is worth checking this out too.
  
  

• Find a doctor who understands RSI and do not settle for anything less than absolute support and trust. You will be fighting many battles and you need your treating practitioner to be your ally not another sparring partner. This may involve many changes of doctor but it will be worthwhile in the long run. If surgery is mentioned get another opinion, and another one. There are other treatment options and surgery MUST be the last resort. Investigate everything and become a walking medical encyclopedia, after all it is your body and the only one you are likely to have in this lifetime.





• Get and read copies of all medical records and reports. If you dispute the contents, put it in writing. Keep a log of any medical appointments and what occurred. Travelling costs to and from treatment can be claimed so document all your costs involved in treating your RSI. Under the Freedom of Information Act you can get access to your medical reports and records. You can write directly to the Insurance Company who is handling your claim and ask for the release of your medical records/doctors reports under the FOI Act and give the name of your doctor. They will send copies of the documents to your treating practitioner and you can then request a copy of same from them. It is important to know just what is being said about you and what advice the insurance company is being given by their medical experts.





• Keep a copy of every document relating to your case. Workcover certificates, reports, letters from Insurance Company etc. etc. Your filing cabinet will expand but it is vital that you have this information to protect yourself in the eventuality that disputes arise.





• Finally, but most importantly, plan to be in for a long haul. Justice for RSI sufferers is not swift and you will need to be both very determined and very persistent. The insurance companies have time on their side and the most used tactic is to make the process so difficult that sufferers give up the battle. Remember, you did not ask for this problem and you are entitled to support if you are injured. How well you survive this situation is going to depend on your ability to hang on as long as it takes and to be as well prepared as possible.





• Remember that you are NOT ALONE. There is a network of fellow sufferers out there and a mountain of information ready for your perusal. Be informed and take back control of your body and your pain. You can make a difference to your own life and to someone elses, so hang in there and join the fight for recognition of RSI.






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Best of luck with your endeavours. If you are having trouble coping with the effects of RSI ask for further assistance - don't be afraid to ask for help. There are wonderful Pain Management Clinics which offer great coping strategies and often it is worth talking to a counsellor if the problems are get