RSI AWARENESS DAY 2007
SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2007 from 10:00 to 16:00 – FREE entrance
Venue: South Cloisters, University College London, Gower Street, WC1
Nearest Underground Stations – Warren Street, Euston and Euston Square.
By foot, turn down Gower Street from Euston Road, after 150m turn left through main gates into University College.
An opportunity to find out about RSI conditions, treatments, therapies, how to work round the limitations of RSI conditions, how to seek assistance.
There will be stalls and exhibitions from organisations, groups and individuals dedicated to helping those with RSI conditions.
Members of RSI Action and RSI Support Groups will also be available to provide advice.
People with RSI conditions, their friends, practitioners and anybody who would like to know more about living with these conditions are welcome.
PRESENTATIONS
RSI Research
Prof Bruce Lynn and his team at University College London, have carried out important research on RSI, with Jane Greening and others.
Welfare Reform Bill – New Medical Assessments
Dr Moira Henderson (DWP) is responsible for the new regulations and criteria that will be used under the new Bill to determine eligibility for incapacity benefit. RSI sufferers often have difficulty with the current assessment process, this is a unique opportunity to understand and discuss the DWP’s new proposals.
RSI and the Law – Personal Injury
Amanda Stevens, solicitor with Charles Russell, is also an executive committee member of APIL. Amanda managed a recent RSI personal-injury case, both at Guilford County Court (2005) and the Court of Appeal (2006), the court found in favour of the claimant, and significant rulings were made that could improve future compliance with health and safety legislation. www.cr-law.co.uk
RSI and the Law – Employment Issues
Brian Palmer, partner at solicitors Charles Russell, and has extensive experience in employment law and the Disability Discrimination Act. www.cr-law.co.uk
Diagnosis and Treatment of RSI Conditions. Dr R. M. Pearson, Consultant Physician
Dr Pearson is widely respected for his special interest in RSI conditions. He has significant experience in managing RSI conditions, caused by computers, musical instruments and other situations.
Treatment of RSI conditions
Helen Skehan, (of Physio Solutions), has extensive experience in treating RSI conditions. Helen is also a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. www.csp.org.uk
RSI Prevention. Tonia Cope Bowley
Tonia had a very successful career at Oxford University, involved in research and teaching projects all with a strong IT element. Unfortunately this led to a serious RSI condition and medical retirement in 2001. Tonia published her book “RSI: How to Avoid It and What to Do If You’ve Got It” in November 2006. www.RSIhowtoavoidit.com
Voice Recognition Systems
The Speech Centre will demonstrate and discuss the features and capabilities of Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition system. NaturallySpeaking is now at version 9 with a choice of several standards. It is the foremost speech recognition system, which most of RSI sufferers come to rely upon, both at work and in the home. www.speechcentre.co.uk
Adaptations in the Workplace. Bill Fine, Ability Net
Ability Net is a national charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology. Bill has a unique ability to bring the RSI risks in the workplace and their Solutions alive. www.abilitynet.org.uk
RSI Recovery. Eckhard Pfluegel (London RSI Support Group)
Ekhard’s own story of disabling RSI, and his treatment in the USA by Suparna Damanay (author of “It’s not carpal tunnel syndrome” ). Find out how steps in Ekhard’s recovery may help your condition. www.RSIrescue.com
Ergonomics, Safety and Best Practice
A look at the best practices in the workplace to protect from RSI conditions.
Alexander Technique. Claire Rennie MSTAT
Poor postural habits are often a significant factor in RSI. The Alexander Technique is a sound way to become aware of and prevent damaging patterns of tension which may be feeding your condition, thus improving your general health and aiding your recovery.
Exercise and RSI. Kasia Verissimo
An introduction on how Pilates-based exercise and stretches can help with recovery from RSI by greater body awareness, better posture, greater mobility and improved fitness. www.healthyintheoffice.com
Recovering from RSI: The Mind-Body Connection.
Harriet Young and Sarah Fishers
Having had severe RSI for over two years, Harriet and Sarah have both made a full recovery. In this presentation, they talk about the technique they used, pioneered by Dr John Sarno.
EXHIBITION
Waterstone’s Books
A range of books that RSI sufferers have found to be useful will be on sale. Waterstone’s will be offering 10% on books bought at the event. RSI Action will provide information on books that have been useful to sufferers. There will be a 10% discount available at the event. www.waterstones.co.uk
Maltron Keyboards
Maltron computer keyboards have been ergonomically designed to minimise strain that can lead to RSI conditions. Maltron have a range of keyboards and also offer customised layouts and additional keys. Maltron keyboards have enabled RSI sufferers to return to productive PC use. www.maltron.com
Solicitors Osmond Gaunt & Rose
Stephen Silverman has extensive experience in RSI personal-injury claims, and will be available to provide initial advice. www.ogr-law.com
Dr Deepak Sharan’s RSI Clinic
Dr Sharan runs the RECOUP Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Centre in Bangalore, India. Within the clinic there are over 50 highly trained and experienced Physicians and Rehabilitation Professionals, and is probably the world’s leading centre of excellence in treating RSI conditions.
The centre provides multidisciplined treatment for RSI conditions. Dr Sharan is an RSI and Ergonomics Consultant to many international corporates, including Hewlett-Packard, Oracle Software, Texas Instruments and Monsanto Research. His methods and approach have been influenced by the work of Dr Emil Pascarelli (at the Miller Institute New York), and Suparna Damanay (author of “It’s not carpal tunnel syndrome”).
The exhibition will include information on Dr Sharan’s clinic, and there will also be opportunities to talk to UK RSI sufferers who have recently been treated at the clinic. www.deepaksharan.com
System Concepts
System Concepts distinguishes itself from its competitors through the quality of its people, the range and depth of its experience and the practicality of its solutions. We offer advice on how to avoid discomfort and reduce the risk of developing RSI when using DSE. The use of good ergonomics principles and identification of potential risks will improve comfort and help prevent potential visual, back and upper limb disorders at work. www.system-concepts.com
Solicitors Charles Russell LLP
Amanda Stevens and Brian Palmer (see also information on presentations above), are available for advice on personal-injury, employment and DDA issues. www.cr-law.co.uk
Ability Net
Ability Net is a national charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet. They can provide a wide range of independent advice on using technology to overcome the limitations of RSI conditions, and can also advise on the government-funded Access to Work scheme. www.abilitynet.org.uk
Benefits Advice
DWP benefits centre staff will be available to advise on disability living allowance and other current benefits that RSI sufferers may qualify.
The Speech Centre
The Speech Centre provides a wide range of services and products to assist RSI sufferers make productive use of computers through speech. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Voice Recognition Software provides a practical, cost effective solution that can help to prevent computer users developing RSI, as well as aiding those with RSI to regain their productivity. Access to Work is a government-funded scheme that offers realistic advice to help surmount work-related problems, and provides grants towards any extra costs involved. www.speechcentre.co.uk
Physio Solutions
Established in 1998 with the aim of providing a quality, physiotherapy service in the central Islington area. All Physiotherapists are Chartered and State registered with a high level of post-graduate education and experience in treating RSI conditions. www.physiosolutions.co.uk
Tension Myositis Syndrome
John Sarno’s methods have been helpful to some RSI sufferers, who now benefit from significant recovery. An opportunity to find out directly from other RSI sufferers, more about these treatment methods which are outlined in his book “Mind Body Prescription”.
Alexander Technique. Claire Rennie MSTAT
Poor postural habits are often a significant factor in RSI. The Alexander Technique is a sound way to become aware of and prevent damaging patterns of tension which may be feeding your condition, thus improving your general health and aiding your recovery. Taster sessions will be available.
The Bowen Technique. Neelam Thapen
Bowen is a gentle muscle and connective tissue technique based on the work of Tom Bowen in the 1950’s. Using a few simple moves, it stimulates the person’s self-healing mechanisms rebalancing the chakras and meridians. Bowen can relieve pain, re-align and heal muscularskeletal problems, release mental and emotional blocks and stimulate lymphatic drainage and detoxification. Taster sessions will be available. neelam_thapen@hotmail.com
Physio at Work
Physiotherapy is effective in the early stages of recovery for relieving pain and increasing the range of movement in the back and limbs. After assessing the affected person’s posture, workplace, lifestyle and work patterns, physiotherapists will devise a treatment programme. Physiotherapists can also advise on how to arrange your work so that you have regular rest breaks. They may also discuss lifestyle factors such as stress, diet and exercise with you. Many physiotherapists are trained in ergonomics and are able to visit your workplace to assess your workstation to ensure that you have the necessary equipment in order to maintain a good working posture. www.physioatwork.co.uk
Ki Health
Ki Treatment is given by Ki Masters who use special breathing techniques to create a sound vibration that carries energy naturally into your body, softening deep-set tension and blockages. They combine this with acupressure to stimulate energy points around your body. Acupressure regulates the circulation of blood and energy which carries oxygen and nutrition to all organs and cells. Taster sessions will be available. www.kihealth.org
Corporation of London
The Corporation is responsible for enforcing Health and Safety at Work Regulations in the City of London, and works very closely with the Health and Safety Executive. The authority is part way through a programme to investigate the occurrence of upper limb disorders and to minimise those occurrences.
RSI Action and RSI Support Groups
An information desk will be available all-day to provide information on living with and managing RSI conditions. RSI Action is the only national charity working for the prevention of RSI and the support of RSI sufferers. RSI Action welcomes individual members, affiliation from trade unions, and also support and interest from corporate bodies. Local RSI Support Groups are invaluable to new RSI sufferers, providing information on local medical services for diagnosis and treatment.
Osmond – Ergonomic Workplace Solutions
Osmond provide a range of products and services including: chairs; height-adjustable desks; computer keyboards, mice and specialist input devices; laptop stands; telephone headsets; writing slopes, and; posture aids. www.ergonomics.co.uk
RSI Action reserve the right to change the presentation programme if necessary.
Registration
Entry to the RSI Awareness Day will be free of charge, but we will ask delegates to register in advance.
RSI Action does not endorse any of the information, goods or services available or on display at the RSI Awareness Day on 24 Feb 2007 at UCL London, unless so stated specifically.
Further RSI Action accepts no liability for any detriment or loss suffered by any person taking up any advice, goods, services, treatments, or products advertised at or on offer or display at the above venue. English law applies.
RSI Action thank the Health and Safety Executive, presenters, exhibitors and sponsors for their support of this event.