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Most of the parents often recognize the term repetitive stress injury. They can relate those terms to carpal tunnel syndrome and other “adult” conditions people get from work and sports.

Unfortunately, most of the parents don’t know that their children can be at just as much risk for repetitive stress injuries as the average adult. There are several things that can create repetitive stress injuries in children and teens.

Extended Computer Use

Extended computer use is one of the most common reasons children and teens get repetitive stress injuries. Many children are permitted to use the computer at school as well as at home.

There are a few things you should do to make sure you prevent repetitive stress injury as much as possible if your child loves to use the computer.

• The first thing you should do is limit their usage time. For example, you can set specific hours of the day that they can use the computer. This works really well for older children as well as young children.
• However, if you would rather be more flexible, just be sure to tell them that the “house rules” say that they can only get on the computer for an hour at a time. Then tell them they have to take a break of at least an hour or two. This will help keep them healthy while using the computer.
• Buying an ergonomic keyboard or a chair with great posture is another way to protect them from repetitive stress injury while on the computer.

Video Games

Playing many video games is another reason for getting repetitive stress injury in children. Video game controllers can be really hard on their hands, fingers, and particularly their thumbs.

The games are so engaging that many kids can sit and play them for hours on end. Actually, if they have friends over to play against they may sit there for days at a time. As a parent you should now allow your children to play video games for long time.

You should limit their video game usage due to the risk repetitive stress injury. Initially they may not like this, but try reasoning with them. Allow them to play in blocks of time. You can let them play for thirty minutes, with a thirty minute break.

Even though short breaks doesn’t seem like helping much, but in reality it can. The short break can help their body readjust and not get “stressed”. Various games will work their fingers in a different way. So you might also limit them to playing a different video game each day.

These tips may seem like unnecessary to you, but you should know that there are children out there suffering with pain from repetitive stress injuries. You don’t want your child to be one of them.

Therefore, be sure to also make your children to understand why it is important to take lengthy breaks from prolonged computer usage and video games. And also ensure that your children follow these tips and prevent them from developing repetitive stress injury.