🚀 go-pugleaf

A couple of weeks ago I posted asking for a physician referral in the
Boston area for suspected typing tendonitis.  These are the responses I
got:

1. Dr. Andrea Wagner at Somerville Hospital, Occupational Therapy
department. ph. (617) 666-4400 x306.

This was the person I wound up going to see, partly because of her
proximity to me and partly because Massachusetts requires a physician's
referral before you can go see a physical therapist anyway.  She
confirmed my tendonitis diagnosis and prescribed timed rest breaks, arm
rests, ice applications on the afflicted areas, plenty of sleep,
learning to touch-type, and a wrist rest if I felt it helped.  She
dislikes wrist splints as she feels they do more harm than good by
allowing the muscles to atrophy.  My impression of her was very
favorable.  She seemed to know her stuff from hands-on clinical
experience (no pun intended) rather than from just reading books and
journals.  I understand that she gives lectures in the greater Boston
area on the subject of computer RSI.  The initial visit cost me $135
(which I've discovered is about par for the course for specialists these
days).  I'm not supposed to come back unless I see no improvement.

2. Elaine Lacroix, a Physical Therapist/Ergonomist at Hand Rehab.
Associates in the Chestnut Hill area, (617) 232-6416.  I was told,
"RSI's are what she does, primarily computer related ones."  The
recommendation was glowingly enthusiastic, but since I have no
insurance, I want to see if I can get by with just the doctor's advice
for now.

3. Dr. Michael Charness (Specializing in neurology of the hand)
   Director, Performing Arts Clinic
   Brigham and Women's Hospital
   75 Francis Street
   Boston, Massachusetts 02115
   Patient Appointments (617) 732-5771

However latest data suggests that Dr. Charness is only accepting
musicians as patients.

4. Finally, Michael Daitzman posted a general address for local
referrals:

    American Society of Hand Therapists
    1002 Vandora Spring Road, Suite 101
    Garner, NC 27529
    T.919-779-2748
    F.919-779-5642

Thanks to msd@HQ.Ileaf.COM, dp@world.std.com, and
fortmiller@danger.enet.dec.com for their help.

-Micky