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PowerPause |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
Tell Me More About PowerPause
RSI, PowerPause, and related issues are new to most people so we'll try and answer most of the
common questions we get. Feel free to ask us more.
Just what is RSI?
RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury. Repetitive Strain Injuries occur from repeated physical
movements doing damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues. Occupations ranging
from meatpackers to musicians have characteristic RSIs that can result from the typical tasks they perform.
The rise of computer use and flat, light-touch keyboards that permit high speed typing have resulted in
an epidemic of injuries of the hands, arms, and shoulders. Use of pointing devices like mice and
trackballs are as much a cause, if not more so. The thousands of repeated keystrokes and long periods of
clutching and dragging with mice slowly accumulates damage to the body : another name for the condition
is Cumulative Trauma Disorder. This can happen even more quickly as a result of typing technique and
body positions that place unnecessary stress on the tendons and nerves in the hand, wrist, arms, and
even the shoulders and neck. Lack of adequate rest and breaks and using excessive force almost
guarantee trouble.
How do I know if I need PowerPause?
You need PowerPause if you:
- use a computer a lot
- have RSI
- may get RSI
- know someone with RSI or a potential problem
- or have people who work for you
How do I know if I may have RSI?
The symptoms for RSI are:
- Tightness, discomfort, stiffness, or pain in the hands, wrists, fingers, forearms, or elbows
- Tingling, coldness, or numbness in the hands
- Clumsiness or loss of strength and coordination in the hands
- Pain that wakes you up at night
- Feeling a need to massage your hands, wrists, and arms
Of course see your doctor for any problem. Which brings up our
important medical disclaimer .
How does PowerPause work?
PowerPause pops up from time-to-time during the day and leads you through a short set
of stretches. We call this feature your personal trainer. Like with a personal
trainer you don't have to remember when to take a break or what to do during the break,
your personal trainer will prompt you with stretches to do, disappearing when you are done.
Simple, clear pictures show you what stretches to do. You only do a few at a time so it
doesn't take a long time. When you are done you can go right back to work, if you want :-)
The stretches cover all the parts of your body that may hurt with prolonged computer use.
There are stretches for your hands, fingers, neck, shoulders, arms, as well as eye relaxation
exercises.
Is PowerPause backed by any science?
Yes. First off PowerPause was designed by an ergonomist and physical therapist to make sure the
stretches are both safe for you and effective.
The common sense notion behind PowerPause is that problems happen when you do a lot of computer
work over a long period of time without taking a break. We must take breaks when using computers!
PowerPause uses the idea of micropauses. Rather than taking one long break PowerPause
asks you take more short breaks and stretch during the break. The stretches get your
blood pumping and allow time for a refreshing pause.
Here are some study summaries showing you the research PowerPause is based on.
Does using PowerPause take a long time?
No. Using PowerPause takes about as much time as one coffee break over an entire day.
Many employers are afraid their people will end up spending all day doing stretches and many computer
users are concerned they won't get any work done. Not to worry. Because PowerPause
uses micropauses enough time is spent in breaks, but not too much.
Is PowerPause easy to use?
Yes. Very simple. As most software becomes more complicated our customers wanted
simpler software so we made PowerPause simple. Install it. Follow the trainer. That's all.
Does PowerPause cost a lot?
No. PowerPause is very affordable. You can use PowerPause
for free. If you like PowerPause we ask that you send us $10.00.
Will I get bored doing the same exercises over and over?
No. PowerPause was purposefully designed to provide a variety of exercises so you wont
get bored. To understand how you'll have to understand a bit more about how PowerPause works.
The way PowerPause works is that it has a stretching plan for the trainer
to carry out. During a normal day let's say you get 7 stretch breaks. Each stretch break
targets the parts of your body most likely to be stressed at that part of the day. For each body
part there are several alternative stretches. Each time through PowerPause chooses one
of the possible stretches available at the time. Using this approach you should get a variety
of stretching routines.
Will I need to upgrade my machine?
Probably not. PowerPause doesn't use a lot of resources so it can run on most
all machines. Nor does PowerPause require any special video or sound boards.
Is RSI a serious problem?
Oh yes. RSI is the largest part of all workers compensation claims. So it's real
from a financial point of view. But what really makes RSI a real problem is the pain
of RSI sufferers and how it changes their life.
Will PowerPause help me learn?
Absolutely. PowerPause offers extensive on-line hypertext help so you can learn a lot more
about RSI, how to set up your workstation, and much more.
Are there any other reasons I should buy PowerPause?
Yes. PowerPause is the right choice for those who want to take an active role in
their own health, the health of their employees, or the health of a loved one. It's not
often we get a chance to be proactive. With PowerPause you have such a opportunity.
Can I see some examples of PowerPause?
Sure. This is the web! Here's a quick tour of PowerPause.
Why did you create PowerPause?
One of our employees, Linda, was having problems with her hands, but we didn't know
what was going on. Remember the time was early 1989, still early in the popular history
of RSI. Then we saw a short TV piece on RSI and we put 2 and 2 together. Thankfully
Linda didn't have a full blown case of RSI and she was able to recover.
Somewhere in the TV special it said people needed to take breaks. Bingo! Aha! Viola! An idea was born.
We thought about it and decided to make PowerPause. Our first step was to get help. We did in
the form of an eminent ergonomist and physical therapist. With their help we came up with
the stretches and the general idea for PowerPause.
Unfortunately at that time Windows was not very popular so we had to implement PowerPause
as a TSR under DOS. This limited the power of PowerPause greatly. People loved the idea
of PowerPause but its DOS implementation left something to be desired.
Over time we reimplemented PowerPause for Windows and it's now the wonderful great program
you see now :-)
How can I try PowerPause?
Thought you would never ask. Just download
your free copy.
[email protected]