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May 13
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Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a major headache for both employers and workers in the uk and around the world. Research undertaken in 2008 demonstrated that around 68% of employees in england suffered from some kind of RSI and the principal regions that were affected by it were the back, shoulders, wrists and hands. The incidences of RSI will probably continue rising as more and more men and women are employed in offices and people who use computers are among the worst affected by it.
RSI is normally used as a catch all term for several conditions such as tendinitis, tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome and typically has a tendency to tell more about the way the damage was sustained instead of what the injury happens to be. The signs of RSI consist of discomfort in the afflicted region or regions, weakness and lack of stamina and the fact that discomfort is made more painful by exercise. There are a number of methods to receive RSI treatment and RSI relief for sufferers most of which involve making some very simple changes to working routines and habits. The use of ergonomics is a highly valuable source of repetitive strain injury treatment and may ease pressure on the body as can the use of an ergonomic mouse when using your personal computer. Pause software reminds people who use computers to take frequent breaks whenever using a personal computer and perform exercises which will prevent symptoms from worsening. Specific strength exercises such as yoga, tai chi and the Alexander Technique can help to prevent RSI and bolster the regions which might be affected by it as they enhance posture and core muscle. There are a number of procedures that will give repetitive strain injury relief for example non-narcotic pain medicine, braces and therapy though it is generally accepted that mainstream health providers are still working on the best strategy to managing RSI.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) happens if the median nerve becomes squeezed or pressurised on the wrist and is an occupational hazard for regular users of computers. The signs and symptoms of CTS can quickly progress from a burning or prickling feeling in the fingers to much more serious symptoms such as total numbness and continual pain in afflicted areas. There is a number of carpal tunnel treatment designed for affected individuals such as drug treatments, exercise and alternative therapies. In the cases where these don’t work carpal tunnel relief can be provided by surgical treatment on the affected area but this is only recommended if signs and symptoms continue for longer than 6 months. This procedure is among the most common in the united states and involves severing the band of muscle round the wrist to release pressure on the median nerve.
If you believe that you’ve got any of the signs of either RSI or carpal tunnel syndrome it is strongly recommended that you see your doctor as soon as you can as early treatment can stop the symptoms becoming worse or prevent RSI developing altogether.