Do you sit in front of the computer for long hours without frequent breaks? Are you overusing the muscles of your hands, wrists, arms, shoulders or back? Do you not take enough rest during forceful movements involved in your work.
If the answer is yes, then you could be prone to repetitive strain injury (RSI), which could be a leading cause to serious damages to our health.
With the rapid changes and the constant transformation in the lifestyle and work culture, people are becoming increasingly sedentary and are spending more time seated in front of the computers or TV.
Sitting for prolonged periods can lead to many physiological disorders like headache, neck pain and spondylitis.
This kind of physiological disorder also gives rise to Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) which is a significant occupational health concern.
Also known as repetitive stress injury, repetitive motion injuries or occupational overuse syndrome, RSI, is a range of painful or uncomfortable conditions of the muscles, nerves and other soft tissues, which is usually caused by repetitive use of a certain part of the body.
Experts says that an early recognition of RSI is important for a timely and effective treatment and it is more of a prevention than a treatment.
Dr Ashok Kumar Singhal, consultant neurology, Apollo Hospital says, certain changes adopted at your workplace like walking for five to ten minutes after half an hour of sitting or stretching the back muscles after long sitting hours help in relaxing the muscles.
Early intervention is critical in keeping these injuries from progressing to permanent disorders, which prevent their sufferers from working or leading normal lives.
People suffering from such physiological disorder tend to pop pain relievers pill or massage the area with the ointment.
However, Dr Singhal further stresses that prolonged use of such pain killers leads to other side effects.
Emphasing on regular exercise and fitness, Dr Gaurav Sharma, professor, department of orthopedic, St John’s Medical College and Hospital says, besides maintaining appropriate posture and sitting at ease, regular physical exercise helps in keeping the body fit and leading a pain free life
RSI symptoms
■ Pain or tenderness in your muscles or joints
■ A throbbing sensation in the affected area
■ Tingling (pins and needles) or numbness in your hand or arm
■ Loss of strength or sensation in your hand