What is RSI?

Many of us have heard the term RSI in recent years, and with good reason. RSI means Repetitive Strain Injury and it has become an increasing problem in the last few years. RSI is used to refer to a host of painful conditions, including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, DeQuervains syndrome, Trigger finger and Ulnar nerve entrapment. RSI is very often a computer use injury, which is why the incidence of these conditions has risen so dramatically in the last few years.

How do I know if I have Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)?

The most common symptoms include hand pain and wrist pain, as well as tingling and numbness. In particular, if you are bothered by this pain when you are working at your computer or performing some other repetitive task, there is a good chance you are suffering from some form of RSI. Some less common symptoms of RSI include elbow pain and loss of strength and coordination in your hands. In addition, some people with RSI don’t experience their symptoms during the course of the repetitive task. Instead, they have pain hours, or even days, later.

What Causes RSI?

Well, we know that RSI conditions are caused by performing repetitive tasks with the hands, but why does it only affect some people who perform these tasks? There are a number of factors that contribute to developing RSI and to helping us understand why some people develop it and others don’t. Some of the most important are:

Posture – Incorrect posture over time can place stress and pressure on muscles and tendons making it difficult for them to function effeciently.
Static Positions - In particular, sitting in one position for long periods of time without moving around can contribute to RSI.
Excessive use of the same muscles – For example, working at a computer all day and then going home and knitting or playing the piano all evening.
Stress – Stress leads to tightened muscles, which can contribute to all sorts of injuries.

How is RSI treated?

Depending upon your specific condition, and your doctor’s recommendations, there are several ways to treat it. Physical therapy treatment is one of the most common, and can work wonders to help sufferers. Your physical therapist will teach you stretches and exercise to help with healing, and will instruct you for improvements to your posture to help prevent further damage.

Your doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to ease the pain and swelling, and may recommend that you completely abstain from the task that is causing the problem for a while, to allow time for healing. Treatments methods vary depending upon your particular type and severity of RSI.

RSI is an increasing problem in our computer savvy society. Your best tactic against it is prevention. Learning the proper typing techniques and ergonomics can help you ensure that you don’t develop one of these painful conditions. However, if you have already begun to experience symptoms, see your doctor immediately so that you can begin a proper treatment program.