What is Repetitive Strain Injury?

Numerous people throughout their working career will struggling with Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI as it is known for short. It is essentially strain that causes pain in the tendons, muscles and nerves of the upper limbs. Meaning it is pain that is usually felt in the wrists and hands as well as the lower arms and also the neck and shoulder area. It occurs as a result of overuse or continued repetitive use.

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It is common in people who spend large portions of their time sat at their desk typing. It is one of the many reasons why it is important to make sure that your desk and chair set up is correct to help prevent issues such as RSI and also other muscle strains from occurring. One of the best ways to ensure that you are sitting to correctly is to have a work desk assessment carried out and to use Operator Chairs like the ones you can purchase from https://www.bestbuy-officechairs.co.uk/office-chairs/operator-chairs/ to sit on, rather than you standard chairs.

There are a number of different symptoms that can be associated with RSI and these include experiencing pain, aching, stiffness, tingling, cramps and weakness in your wrist, hand and general arm areas. It is a problem that is cumulative which means that over time it will become worse. It is important therefore that if you start to experience these symptoms that you seek medical advice and look at the way in which you sit and your desk and the work that you undertake. There may be a few simple things that you can do to help alleviate some of the strain on your upper limbs that will help prevent your RSI from developing further. You should also seek support from your employer as it is a part of their legal health and safety obligations to ensure that your work equipment and job role do not cause undue stresses and strains on your body. They are also required to give you ways in which this pressure can be reduced.

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In order to prevent RSI it is important that you look at your work desk posture, your regularly take breaks away from your desk and also regularly stretch your upper limbs as well as your back and shoulder areas whilst sat at your desk. You should stretch these areas at least every hour. If your RSI gets worse you should be referred to a physiotherapist who will be able to give you some more exercises to help strengthen the affected areas.

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