How Computer Use Can Lead To Repetitive Strain Injuries? Ways To Prevent RSI!

The last day in the month of February is marked as repetitive strain injury awareness day.

Approximately 2.3 million Canadian adults have experienced a repetitive strain injury.

Repetitive strain injury or musculosketal disorder (MSD) is a collective term for a variety of motion-induced, painful unbearable disorders that result from damage to muscles, nerves to the arm and upper back, tendons, and nerves due to delayed cyclic activity. It may not be a life threatening injury.

Only a little physiotherapy will be needed to treat the problem of repetitive strain injuries. If injuries are neglected and untreated for a long time, then it could require surgery.

Cause of RSI:

Many workplace factors trigger RSI. They include:

• Repetition
• Rapid workplace
• Awkward position
• Forceful movements
• Vibration
• Cold temperatures
• Occupational stress

Symptoms of RSI:

• Itchiness, numbness, coldness, or loss of sensation
• Muscles in the arms and shoulders feel hard
• While lying in bed, you feel pain
• Repetitive pain, soreness in neck, shoulders, upper back, wrist or hands
• Aching, burning, swelling and loss of joint movements and strength in the affected area

RSI prevention:

• You must pay attention to pain and fatigue. Stop using the computer before you begin to feel symptoms.
• Pay attention to position. The head and back should be in a straight line format from ears to pelvis.
• The head and shoulders should not be bent forward.
• Take regular breaks to prevent stress on your eyes and to refresh your mind.
• Do not rest your wrist on a pad. Hold your wrists straight, rather than bent up, down or to the side.
• Try different input devices rather than the mouse and keyboard. Consider speech recognition, graphics tablets, tablet PC’s or trackballs.
• Do regular exercises [RSI Exercises], get adequate sleep, drink enough water, and stop smoking. This will help to strengthen your body and improves blood flow in the affected muscles.
• Practice breathing exercises, this will help you for muscle relaxation.

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