Description
Book SynopsisIt can start in any number of ways: A legal secretary notices a strange buzzing in her palm. It soon spreads to a fiery ache across her entire upper body. Within a few months, she becomes totally disabled. Trapped in the medical and legal systems without any answers, she desperately attempts to regain her health and her livelihood. Fifteen percent of Americans suffer from pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but only 5 percent ever receive that diagnosis. Medical science does not agree on what causes it or even if it exists. Technology has caused incidents to skyrocket, making nearly everyone susceptible—even teenagers and children. It is the number one occupational illness in the United States, and the most common cause of physical disability in the world, costing approximately $850 billion a year in this country alone. The Truth About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a compelling patient account of this controversial injury. Using layman’s terms, the book describes why it’s so difficult to treat, how the author learned to manage hers, and how the medical and legal systems work in conflict to those suffering such injuries. Offering hope to sufferers and their loved ones, this book captures the reality of carpal tunnel syndrome and suggests ways for dealing not just with the injury but with the systems in place to deal with the losses associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Trade ReviewJill Gambaro takes us down the RSI rabbit hole to a strange land filled with cruel insurance companies, vanishing attorneys, and domineering doctors. In this millennium, because of our excessive screen use, her personal struggle, health discoveries, and political insight should be required reading, especially for Congress. In the end, she manages to finds friends, and some hope, for those with this insidious, misunderstood disease who are some of the hardest working workers in the world. Thank you Jill! -- Jonathan Bailin, Ph.D., Sports Medicine & Ergonomics Associates, ErgonomicsDr.com
Jill Gambaro presents her pain and stress living with carpal tunnel syndrome and frustration with not receiving correct treatment and pain relief. Gambaro documents the extent of the problem and its threatening effects. This book is a comfort to fellow sufferers who can identify with their own illness and gain hope and support. BRAVO! -- Marian Garfinkel, Ed.D., adjunct professor, Temple School of Medicine; adjunct professor, College of Health Professions and Social work, Department of Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
As we change how we work, learn, and play, we have the potential to injure ourselves, our hands, in ways that were never conceived of. Therefore, it is imperative to read and follow Jill Gambaro's amazing advice in The Truth About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. She adeptly outlines what we need to know, what we need to do, and how we need to protect one of our greatest assets—our hands. -- Francine R. Kaufman, chief medical officer and vice president, Global Medical, Clinical & Health Affairs, Medtronic Diabetes; distinguished professor emerita of Pediatrics and Communications, The Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Children's Hospital, Los Angeles
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: I Woke Up One Morning to Find My Life Had Fallen Apart THE PHYSIOLOGY OF RSIs Chapter 2: Why Its Important to Educate Yourself about RSIs Chapter 3: How Can You Become Disabled Just by Sitting at a Computer? Chapter 4: When You Don’t Get Proper Treatment, Your RSI Get Worse Chapter 5: Ergonomics Alone Cannot Prevent RSIs THE POLITICS OF RSIs Chapter 6: Why the Health Care Community Disputes the Existence of RSIs Chapter 7: How the Workers’ Compensation System Worsens RSIs Chapter 8: The Political Battle Over THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF RSIs Chapter 9: The Future of RSIs Chapter 10: Employers and RSIs Chapter 11: Why RSIs Cost You, Even If You Don’t Have One Chapter 12:Why Work is the Cure for RSIs APPENDICES Appendix A – Patient Resources Appendix B – Parent Resources Appendix C – Employer Resources
