Repetitive Strain Injuries

A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is caused when a person overuses a part of their body and their muscles in that area. A lot of RSI’s are caused at work, for example if someone is sat at a computer all day they may suffer an injury in their hand or wrist area. This is because typing can cause stress in the muscles around that area and the tissue may become damaged. If they do become damaged a chemical is released in the body to attempt to repair any damage. However, if repetitive movement continues, the body’s efforts to heal or repair itself may result to stress in the muscle tissue causing the RSI.

Anyone suffering from an RSI may get a disabling pain in the affected area, and feel tingling and swelling. For example, if you’re suffering from an RSI due to spending too much time typing then you will feel a tingling in your thumb and first two fingers; this is a key symptom of an RSI.

There are a number of RSI’s and they can be caused through a number of different activities. Any activity that requires a person to perform repetitive tasks puts them at risk of suffering from such an injury.

RSI can be divided into a number of separate categories. These include:

• Dystonia (writers cramp)
• Gamekeeper’s thumb
• Tendinitis
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Bursitis
• Cabitial tunnel syndrome

Fortunately there are ways to prevent such an injury. Taking regular breaks to give the muscles in your body a rest can help prevent RSI. Making sure your employer provides you with the correct equipment and a well set-up workstation can also help. For example, if you’re working at a desk all day, you can buy wrist rests which help prevent any danger to the wrist and the surrounding area.

If you suffer from an RSI there are special treatments that can help you recover from the injury. These include resting the affected area or taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by your GP. You can also speed up the recovery by using hot and cold packs, or acupuncture, physiotherapy or osteopathy; all of which may help assist with your recovery.