How to understand and treat RSI

RSI is the abbreviation used for repetitive strain injury. This is a disorder that is commonly known as a work related disorder relating to the upper limb. The disorder can affect individuals in various ways including pain that comes in different forms such as shooting pains or aches to the affected area.

The cause of RSI is by repeating the same motion over and over again. If you repeatedly do the same movement over time, you will be putting stress on that portion of your body. An example would be to stand and extend your arms up and over your head and down again over and over again for eight hours. This would begin to stress your arms, upper back, and shoulders.

If you repeat the same movements time and time again, you can and often do damage ligaments, nerves, soft tissue, and muscles in that area of your body. Individuals in many professional often have problems with repetitive strain injury such as computer users and factory workers that do the same job every day.

In most cases, RSI affects the upper or lower back, neck, shoulders, hands, and wrists.

The most common RSI Conditions are

•  Tendonitis

•  DeQuervains Syndrome

•  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

•  Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

•  Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

•  Intersection Syndrome

•  Stenosing Tenosynovitis

Symptoms of RSI

There are several different symptoms that a person may notice with the most common listed below.

•  Loss of strength

•  Stiffness

•  lack of full movement

•  Loss of coordination

•  Soreness in the neck

•  Soreness in the back

•  Soreness in the shoulders

•  Soreness in the arms

•  Soreness in the hands

•  Soreness in the wrists

•  Pain in the neck

•  Pain in the back

•  Pain in the shoulders

•  Pain in the arms

•  Pain in hands

•  Pain in the wrists

•  Numbness

•  loss of sensation

•  Aching pains

Treatment

Treatment in many cases may include taking medications for pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication. Occupational therapy may also be needed to aid in the recovery of the affected area. Deep muscle massage has also helped in the healing process.