While not a cure, you should try using a RSI recovery help software which essentially forces you to take breaks and also tells you of exercises you should do.
Check out Workrave ( www.workrave.com ) which I personally use and have found quite useful.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated to workrave in any form except as a user
Thanks, yes, I use Workrave and it has helped. But it's not a cure. I also use MouseTool (also free) so I don't have to click - just dwelling over an area causes the mouse to click. That's probably the biggest lifesaver I've encountered. I also use AutoHotKey to eliminate the alt-tab, ctrl-w and alt-f4 combinations which kill my left forearm. Another big help. As is Dragon NaturallySpeaking whenever I have to compose a long Word document or email. But, again, not a cure.
Not to be too demanding, but I'm wondering if anyone has found a way to overcome the problem entirely or if I should only hope for incremental improvements.
If clicking the mouse is painful, try switching hands. Using your mouse other handed will feel very clumsy for a few days, and you probably won't ever want to play a game that way. But it does give your other arm a break.
I switch between left and right once every week or so.
Check out Workrave ( www.workrave.com ) which I personally use and have found quite useful.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated to workrave in any form except as a user