I have TOS, cubital tunnel syndrome, and pain in my neck and back. Virtually all the pain is activity related-- if I am able to spend a couple of days gently walking and lying down carefully on my side, and doing nothing else, the pain partially subsides.

Unfortunately, I have to work most days. My problems are generally repetitive strain injury, and typing is by far the biggest aggravating action. At best I can type for a few minutes without pain; on a bad day I can hardly type at all. I currently teach abroad, and my job is essentially part-time and does not require much computer use.

I would prefer, however, to work in the U.S., where I'm from. So I have a general question: what types of employment have people been able to do, given your own pain situation? I have a law degree from a top-3 program, but modern lawyers spend most of their time sitting at computers. In fact, it was in law school and at legal internships that my physical problems went from mildly bothersome to crippling.

I realize this question is both somewhat broad and somewhat individualized. My hope is to spur a general discussion and see what comes up. Many thanks to those who have input, thoughts, and advice.

Can you apply for disability, do some PT/Yoga for a year and then reassess yourself? That would be a fair chance to your body to heal.

I'm trying to do something along those lines. I'm switching jobs to what is basically a part-time teaching job that will require little computer use or repetitive motion. Ceasing to work altogether is a tough proposition for me because I have debts to pay off. Also, I want to start thinking about what happens at the end of this upcoming year one way or another. With repetitive strain injury, rest often makes the pain subside, but a return to the troublesome activity typically makes the pain come back. So just because I get myself feeling better for a year does not mean I can go back to sitting at a computer 10 hours a day 6 days a week.

I understand. I believe rest and proper sleep are a big part of any RSI related recovery. Since your symptoms are RSI related & not trauma, rest & relaxation can have a huge impact on your symptoms and allow you to gradually ease back into a more active lifestyle. I have RSI + trauma & am still working & its not exactly ideal.

Another thought..your TOS is probably the big thing, the cubital syndrome is downstream so if you fix your TOS, it will probably recede.

I am yet to find the answer to this question as well. Typing is the worst. When a switched to a job that required me to use the mouse but not type very much it was better but still painful. Some people have tried real estate but the driving is aggravating. Still at home recovering from bilateral rib resections.