RSI, Repetitive Strain Injuries
July 3, 2006
How many people would suffer from RSI? If I only read statistics I see a progression in Internet users. I can tell you that I am a part of the group now. After hours and hours of surfing on the Internet and a visit to my Doctor we are certain it is RSI. I have an appointment with my physio which hopefully can solve some of the problems I have.
I did not expect it could influence your whole body. I now have some trouble around the shoulder joint, around the elbow (right), in the lower arm, in the wrist and sometimes after hours in one or more fingers.
I found usefull information. It’s a dutch site about RSI treatment but everything is also available in english. I hope you read the part about the symptoms. If I knew this in a earlier stage perhaps I would have visited my doctor allready some weeks ago.
How can you recognise RSI? What are the symptoms?
You may have RSI if:
- The symptoms last longer than about six weeks.
- You have pain or unpleasant, diffuse sensations, numbness or tingling in more than one of the following locations: a particular spot between this shoulder blades, in the shoulder muscle, around the shoulder joint, around the elbow (right, left or both), in the lower arm (front, back or both), in the wrist or in one or more fingers.
- The symptoms soon get worse through fine motor movements and sitting in the same position for a long time. The most common examples are computer work and driving. The pain often gets worse after you have finished the activity.
- The symptoms are irritated by forceful hand movements such as wringing or lifting.
- The symptoms can manifest themselves in tense situations (stress).
- The symptoms often occur during or shortly after a period of dedication to a particular task, a hectic time and/or stress.
- Rest reduces the symptoms but they return as soon as you recommence the activity that caused them.
- Clumsiness occurs: for example your handwriting gets worse or you drop things.
I will start this week with my treatment and post some off my experiences if that’s possible.
CRS: Computer-Related Syndrome: The Prevention and Treatment of Computer-Related Injuries. By Richard Dean Smith, MD and Steve T. Garske, MS, PT.
The computer workstation must be considered a potentially hazardous place. Computer keyboard workers are akin to armchair athletes subject to the same stresses and injuries experienced by athletes. Our purpose is to alert keyboard workers to early warning signs, explain how to best arrange workstations, provide both preventive and therapeutic exercises, and enable workers to ‘train’ for computer keyboard work. With drastic cutback of workers compensation insurance benefits, prevention and early intervention is especially important.
Link: Prometheus Books. richardsmithmd.com.
Comment by richard smith — January 21, 2007 @ 7:01 pm