What Is RSI?Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a general term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse. Show
The condition mostly affects parts of the upper body, such as the:
Common Symptoms of RSIThe symptoms of RSI can range from mild to severe and usually develop gradually. They often include:
At first, you might only notice symptoms when you're carrying out a particular repetitive action. But without treatment, the symptoms of RSI may eventually become constant and cause longer periods of pain. You may also get swelling in the affected area, which can last for several months. What Causes RSI?RSI is related to the overuse of muscles and tendons in the upper body. Certain things are thought to increase the risk of RSI, including:
Cold temperatures and vibrating equipment are also thought to increase the risk of getting RSI and can make the symptoms worse. Stress can also be a contributing factor. Jobs that involve repetitive movements can lead to RSI, such as working on an assembly line, at a supermarket checkout, or on a computer. Your work environment should be as comfortable as possible. You should ideally have a workplace assessment so that any adjustments needed can be made. How To Prevent RSIThere are things you can do to help reduce your risk of getting RSI, such as:
If you work at a computer all day, make sure your seat, keyboard, mouse and screen are positioned so they cause the least amount of strain - check how you measure up. The ErgoCAT online evaluation tool in the UC Learning Center is the first step to setting up or improving the ergonomics of your computer workstation; however, additional help may be necessary to ensure prevention of repetitive motion injuries. Coupled with a workstation evaluation, ErgoCAT is very effective at identifying high risk factors and corresponding corrective actions. Please also take a look at our guidance and tips worksheets available for setting up your workstation. After making the recommended adjustments, if you are still experiencing frequent discomfort or require assistance in making changes based on the ErgoCAT recommendations, please contact our office for further evaluation at , or call 209-228-ERGO, 209-500-9461. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) represents a group of conditions associated with the overuse of computer, guitar, knife or a similar motion or tool. It is an occupational overuse syndrome affecting muscles, tendons and nerves in the arms and upper back and is also known as work related upper limb disorder (WRULD). It is most
common among computer and assembly line workers. The use of computers has increased manifold in all spheres of life including professional and personal lives of individuals. This has in turn, increased the scope of RSI to the hands and arms resulting from the overuse of the computer keyboard and mouse. If you are a regular computer user and witness a few of the below symptoms, you could be suffering from a computer related RSI: The disorder can actually affect multiple parts of the body, including eyes, neck, shoulders, forearms, thumbs, upper back, hands, wrists, fingers and arms. Incidence and PrevalenceResearch shows that 60% of IT professionals, who spend more than eight hours a day on the computer, are likely to suffer from the symptoms of RSI at some point. Once contracted, such symptoms of RSI are extremely difficult to cure and can occur even in the young and physically fit individuals. In fact, people are often forced to quit their computer-dependent careers due to this disorder. Preventive MeasuresA series of preventive measures are recommended to avoid such repercussions of RSI related to computer usage. Here we list a few main guidelines: Ensure proper infrastructure
Maintain a proper posture
Work-related precautions
Habit-related precautions
Remedial MeasuresPrevention is the best remedial measure in the case of RSI prevalence amongst IT professionals. However, once afflicted, the following specific measures can be adopted for relief:
Other measures include:
Further links on computers and IT usage
Links to articles on Computers and Pain
How do you avoid RSI on a keyboard?10 tips for avoiding RSI at your computer. Rest your feet flat on the floor. ... . If you have a curved desk, sit central to the curve.. Place your screen at eye level and directly in front of you.. Position your keyboard directly in front of you, with a space at the front of the desk to rest your wrists when you are not typing.. How do you avoid RSI when using a mouse?Be Ergonomically Correct
Use a mouse that fits your hand and rest your hand when you're not using it. Keep your hand and wrist straight when clicking or typing. When possible, use a computer tablet and pen or switch to keyboard commands to avoid excessive mouse clicking.
How do you avoid RSI?Tips for preventing RSI. Adjust your work station to promote good posture and comfort.. Sit in a chair that gives you support for your lower back and keep your feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest. ... . Avoid sitting cross-legged.. If possible, spend some of your computer time at a standing desk.. |