ErgErcise

Have you seen "Hammer Thumb"? No, it's not the name of a new horror franchise ("Jeez, Mary, get the kids' thumbs out of sight now; it's coming through the front door!"). Hammer Thumb is an "ErgErcize"--that is, an ergonomic exercise, specifically aimed at preventing CIRSI's (Computer Induced Repetitive Stress Injuries). Licensed physical therapist Daniel Seidler and assistant Florence Dong demonstrate 42 exercises specifically meant to prevent and treat carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, neck pain, tennis elbow, TMJ, shoulder impingement and DeQuervain's disease--all of which can be brought on by long, intensive hours in front of the computer. Good instruction, decent production values (the few attempts at GenX hipness with the slo-mo and odd angles are mercifully brief), a great price, and a growing-in-importance subject area all add up to a definite recommendation. Aud: J, H, C, P. (R. Pitman)