Repetitive Strain Injury
Repetitive Strain Injury
(RSI) is a potentially debilitating condition resulting from overusing the
hands to perform a repetitive task, such as typing, clicking a mouse, or
writing. Anyone who uses a computer regularly is at risk and should know about
RSI. Unfortunately, most people are uninformed and do not understand what RSI
is or how serious it can be. This webpage is intended to educate computer users
about RSI, and to provide useful suggestions for prevention and treatment. Much
of the information provided here is also relevant for RSIs derived from other
activities such as playing an instrument, gaming, or any other repetitive task.
The page additionally contains a few specific pieces of advice for students.
As with all
health-related issues, it is wise to eat well, exercise, listen to your body,
and avoid destructive behavior. However, there are some specific precautions
you can take to help prevent the onset of RSI.
In this section I offer
some specific recommendations for stretching and strengthening exercises that
have helped me. These fall under the category of prevention as well as
recovery. Most of them you can easily do in your office during breaks. Contact Ergonomicworks
if you need further individual assistance. Or if you feel on of the following:
- Avoid using the injured hand?
- Use your nondominant hand more frequently?
- Use your forearm, feet, or shoulder to open doors?
- Avoid wearing or buying certain kinds of clothing
because it is too difficult to put them on?
- Change shopping habits because you can't carry as much
as he wants could?
- Keep dropping things?
- Find you can't chop food?
- Not play sports you once enjoyed?
- Have trouble hooking bras or putting on jewelry?
- Not wear bracelets because your wrists are tender?
- Have trouble with keys or brushing teeth?
- Feel overly protective of your hands?
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