Take a break – The most significant risk factor is working for a long period without a break. US Government research has found that when workers have more rest breaks, quantity and quality of production remain the same and workers suffer far fewer work-related symptoms.

Try to vary your posture to prevent muscle fatigue and move around for 1-2 minutes after every 20. Don’t work through your lunchbreak (go for a walk) and avoid overtime.

Parents and teachers need to consider how children are using computers and encourage regular breaks (5 minutes in every 20-30), stretches and increased variety of leisure pursuits.

Avoid extremes - repeated working or application of force when the wrist is bent at an angle or working with the arm joints at the extreme of their range of movement.

Beware of the mouse! - intensive use is a major RSI factor, so learn and use keyboard commands instead; avoid 'drag and drop'; move the mouse close so your forearm is not twisted to one side, keep your wrist flat and straight ('neutral') and use the whole arm; don't leave your hand 'poised' on the mouse when not actually in use; don't grip too hard.

Don't - cradle the 'phone between head and neck. Consider a headset or handsfree.