Prevention is better than cure!. Review on Dealing with Repetitive Stress Injuries

Friday, February 29, 2008 is International RSI(repetitive strain injury) Day.This is the day to make people aware about risk for chronic pain and debilitating conditions which are prevalent in various types of occupations as well related to personal health factors. RSI Awareness Day evolved from an idea by a Canadian injured worker. The first RSI Awareness Day was February 29, 2000, because it was the only non-repetitive day of the year

*No one is immune:

*RSIs are a family of painful disorders affecting tendons, muscles, nerves and joints. They cause persistent or recurring pain most commonly in the neck, shoulders, forearms, hands, wrists and elbows. In some provinces, RSIs account for 50 per cent of occupational injuries

Fortunately most of them are preventable and treatable at early stages.

To prevent RSI, one needs to have RSI plan.

R: Responsibility

S: Self awareness

I: Injury prevention

Follow:

R: responsibility of being aware about risk of discomfort, pain related to constrained posture, job tasks and work station set up. This will help to prevent RSI

S: Self awareness, being aware of one’s postural habits, (leaning on desk, slouching, lifting up wrist and typing etc), need for flexibility and strength

I: injury prevention strategies such as correct postural habits, right work station set up, healthy computing techniques, physical fitness, flexibility, micro breaks

If you do experience discomfort, do report it early. Early interventions such as ergonomics, posture, simple ROM(Range of Motion) exercises and reducing strain on uncomfortable body part can help to recover faster at an early stage of injury.If pain persists, advanced medical management as well advanced therapy techniques are essential to recover from an injury.

Remember a simple 3 step plan for prevention:

1. Simple daily routine of stretches/exercises of 25-30 min.

   
   




2. Work in least constrained posture

   
   




3. Take Micro breaks, follow a rule of 20-20-20(every 20 min. take 20 sec. long break, look 20 feet away)

   
   

Remember prevention is better than cure!