Information about RECOUP by people who've actually been there

Over three years of RSI, I tried every therapy imaginable. Here's what works:

Treatment   Effectiveness
Massage    Mild
Deep Tissue Massage  Some
Alexander Technique   None
Trigger Point Therapy  Some
Active Release Technique  Some-Good
Meditation   Little
Tai Chi    None
Yoga    Mild
Accupuncture   Little
Nutrional Analysis  None
Strength Training  Little
Vertical Mouse  Little
Heat pack on arms  Good
Running hands/arms
under cold water  Great (tempoarily)
Break reminder software Good
Ergonomic keyboard  
  (Funky "Star Trek" style) Little
Voice Recognition  Great
Osteopathy   Some
Physical Therpy  Little
Chirporactor   Little
Chinese Herbs   None
Homeopathy   None
Tens Machine   None
Three months therapy in
Recoup, India    Some
Body Taping   Little
Biofeedback   Little
Emu Oil   None
Stretching
(per "It's Not Carpal
  Tunnel Syndrom")  Some
Reiki    Little
Special ergonomic chair  Some
Book rest   Good
Left and right mouse
(to switch between)  Good
Trackball   Little
Myofascial Release  Some
Special Neck Pillow  None
Move-with-you
  arm supports   Little
TMS                                 Complete recovery

I've spend thousands of dollars chasing every glimmer of hope.  For me, any price was worth a cure.

I had heard of Dr. Sarno/TMS some time back and was quite resistant to TMS.  Of course the brain has something to do with the health of the body.  But how can the brain cure me when I have so many trigger points remaining. How can you say it's all my head?

I read Sarno's book, tried a few of his mental excercises and you know what? Nothing.  Didn't have any effect on me. Despite reading about all of these suppposed miracle cures from people reading the book and being cured a week later.

Besides, my various therpies were helping me. It was long and slow and I knew many of my improvements where just the natural cycle of ups and downs.  But I was improving so how could Sarno be right? Surely I should continue my therapies and at the same time examine my thoughts and feelings.

After three years of suffering through RSI, I finally visited Dr. Straiton, an Osteopath in Brighton, UK, (see http://www.findanosteopath.co.uk/nicholas_straiton) who confirmed I had TMS.  This was the start of my journey that lead me to, months later, being fully cured.

I am now typing this without voice recognition on an un-ergonmic laptop.  I have no pain or discomfort.  Yesterday I worked all day on my laptop and then played Half Life 2 without a hint of problems. The difference in my life is beyond words. I don't even think about RSI any more. When I want to use a computer, a broom, a bicycle, I just do.  I never thought even in the best of scenarios that I would be where I am today.

TMS is incredibly difficult to accept.  But if like me, you've tried everything, you owe it to your self to try yet another apparently whacky therapy.