If you work in an office or factory in California, you might be experiencing symptoms of repetitive strain injuries (RSI). These conditions impact muscles, nerves, and tendons that may be become damaged due to repeated use. Healthline.com offers the following information on RSI, including how it can be treated.
Risk factors
As the name indicates, RSI is thought to originate from repetitive motion. It’s most often associated with things like using the same muscles repeatedly, lifting very heavy objects, maintaining an abnormal posture several hours a day, and not getting enough physical activity. These conditions happen to present across many different industries and positions, which explains why so many people experience them. Along with office workers, commercial vehicle drivers, cooks, people who use power tools, musicians, and dental hygienists are a few occupations with a higher risk of developing RSI.
Symptoms
At the onset, symptoms may appear mild but often continue to grow more severe. For many people, symptoms may even limit mobility over time. People with RSI often experience pain, weakness, swelling, a tingling or numb feeling, throbbing, and a sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures in the affected area. RSI most often impacts the wrists and hands, neck and shoulders, and forearms and elbows.
Treatment
If symptoms stem from your working environment, making tweaks to your chair and desk can be helpful. In terms of managing pain and other symptoms, doctors recommend taking conservative steps first before moving onto surgery. These steps include the application of heat and ice, rest, oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and wrapping or splinting the area. Steroid injections may also be utilized, which help reduce inflammation.
