Tips to Prevent RSI

Once a person has identified the RSI warning signs and maybe has felt some of the pain associated with RSI, further prevention will be needed in order to keep muscles and joints working properly while on the job. Preventing further damage is the next step.

At Workplace

One should always have arm and wrist rests available when working at a desk in an office or at home. Putting a mat underneath the chair will also help. One can rest their wrists and feet on a cushioned surface which help keep them from being overworked by using mats and padding.

Sit in your chair with your thighs level and your feet should be flat on the floor or on a foot rest. Keep your back straight while you’re sitting and your shoulders should be relaxed.

Your arms should be bent at a rough 90 degree angle and the top of your monitor should be at eye level. If you must make adjustments, then make them to the monitor and keyboard, don’t make them to your body.

Posture

One of the important things to be done for preventing repetitive stress injury is good posture. Make sure your back is correctly aligned at all times. If you slump then you will have some upper back, neck, or shoulder problems. It is just one of those things that you need to make sure you are paying attention to.

Stretching

Take the time to stretch and loosen up the muscles in your neck and shoulders. You are helping to prevent yourself from injury by stretching. You should stretch your wrists before you begin typing. Also stretch them several times throughout the day.

When you are typing it is important for you to keep you wrists straight and flat. How you hold your arms, neck, and shoulders can also contribute to any problems you might experience.

Wrist pads

RSI occurs when a person repeats a motion many times throughout the day. Wrist pads will help keep wrists and arms aligned which will decrease the amount of pain felt during the day. Mats on the floor will help a person maintain their posture and keep their feet from becoming numb.

Frequent Breaks

You should take frequent breaks from the computer and the keyboard. It is better for you to take several short breaks versus a few long breaks.

You can take your hands off of your keyboard and let your arms drop to your sides, get up and move around for a few minutes, or whatever relaxes you a little. You should do this about ever half hour to forty-five minutes.

Get up and stretch your back, legs, arms, really your whole body needs to be worked out. If you sit for two hours straight then get up and take fifteen minutes to walk around the room. Go to the bathroom and anything else that you need to do.

This gives your body the much needed break and then you can go back to work. Don't rest your wrists on anything when you type. Try not to bend them, keep them straight. It will put less tension on your wrist and keep them from getting RSI.

Exercise

You will find many different things that will help you along the way. Not everything you can do is listed here, but it gives you a good start to knowing what you can do to prevent RSI.

You will also need to do other things as well. Like a regular exercise program will really go a long way. It keeps you in tune with your body and helps you see when things are not right.

Your body is not something to take for granted. It is the only body you get and if you don't take care of it then you will suffer. No one wants that so, take those essential precautions to keep yourself healthy.