Health Benefits of Exercise

We all know that the benefits of exercise are numerous. Exercise helps us maintain our weight, stay strong and feel better. Exercise contributes to good sleep and a long life, as well as helping us reduce stress. But, what many people don’t know is that exercise can also be extremely beneficial to RSI sufferers.

RSI or Repetitive Strain Injury is a growing problem in today’s computer savvy society. While RSI can be caused by many different types of repetitive tasks, it is most often a computer use injury. RSI symptoms include extreme hand pain, elbow pain and wrist pain, as well as numbness and tingling sensations.

Very often, Repetitive Strain Injury RSI treatment includes physical therapy. Patients are taught proper posture and correct ergonomics for their workstations. In addition, patients learn stretches and techniques that can keep their muscles loose and free of tension. Physical therapy treatments also often include massages and ultrasound and cold treatments to reduce swelling. Patients may be required to wear a brace on the affected hand or wrist and refrain from performing the repetitive tasks that caused the RSI condition.

But, one of the most important aspects of treating RSI is a physical therapy home exercise program. The therapist teaches the patient a series of exercises that can help strengthen muscles and reduce tension. These exercises will improve flexibility to make repetitive tasks easier and less stressful.

The exercises your physical therapist will prescribe to help relieve RSI will not be difficult to perform or time consuming, but they can provide a great benefit for relieving the symptoms and preventing future injuries. Most can be done at your desk, and take just a few seconds to one minute to perform. Some of the most common exercises for RSI include:

Arm Shake – Sit in your seat, with your arms dangling by your sides. Shake both arms for 5-10 seconds. This exercise will improve circulation and relieve numbness and tingling.

Flips – With your elbows bent to 90 degrees palms facing down move your arms so that your palms are now pointing upwards. Repeat 5 times moving your palms to the down position, then flipping palms to the upward orientation.

Up And Down – Move the hands so that the wrists are flexed downward and then reverse the motion so the wrists are extended and bent upwards, repeat flexing and extending motion at wrists 5 times.

Neck Stretch – Gently tilt your head and toward the left shoulder. Hold 5 seconds. Repeat three times. Repeat entire exercise for right shoulder.

Shoulder Shrugs – From a relaxed position, with arms at your side, float shoulders partially up towards ears, then back, then down and relax. Repeat 10 times per hour.

These and other exercises can be extremely beneficial to helping minimize the pain from RSI. In addition, they can promote mobility and flexibility, which can prevent recurrences. They should be performed in addition to your regular exercise routine. All of these exercises should be undertaken only under the supervision of a doctor or physical therapist.