RSI Symptoms

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) can manifest itself in many ways and RSI symptoms can vary widely but typically RSI is a progressive condition which can be divided into three broad stages of symptoms. Please note that not everybody follows this path and thaat RSI progression and symptoms can be different in individual cases.

Diagnosis

It is essential that you do not try to diagnose yourself using the RSI symptoms detailed below. ALWAYS consult a health professional.

Stage 1 RSI Symptoms

Early symptoms of RSI can include any or all of the following:

  • Pain
  • Aching
  • Tiredness
  • These can affect the wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or legs during work

These symptoms improve overnight or when the problem activity is deceased.

Note that this stage may last weeks or months, but is generally reversible. Prompt action is required however as RSI can quickly progress to Stages 2 or 3 which can be much more serious and harder to treat

Stage 2 RSI Symptoms

Intermediate symptoms of RSI can include any or all of the following:

  • Pain
  • Aching
  • Tiredness
  • Physical signs such as swelling or redness
  • These can affect the wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or legs during and after work

These symptoms are similar to Stage 1 Symptoms but are more severe and generally occur earlier in the working day. They can also linger into the night causing lack of sleep.

Note that this stage may several months, but is again generally reversible. Prompt action is required however as RSI can quickly progress to Stage 3 which can be much more serious and harder to treat and have a long lasting impact on your life.

Stage 3 RSI Symptoms

Symptoms of pain, aching, weakness and fatigue are experienced even when person is resting completely. Sleep is often disturbed and the sufferer may be unable to carry out even light tasks at home or work. This stage may last for months or years. Sometimes it is irreversible and the person never gets back full use of the affected part of their body.

This stage of RSI is hard to treat and emphasises the importance of catching the condition early and doing something about it.

 

Don’t panic

Please remember that most people with RSI don’t get to this level of symptoms. It is usually caught and treated early enough to avoid the long-term issues that this page mentions.

So do something about it NOW! Go and see a health professional immediately.

April 2, 2009 · SteveRSI · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Symptoms

RSI Treatment

Treating RSI symptoms can be very difficult. There isn’t one obvious treatment for RSI although some specific RSI conditions, e.g. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, do have recognised medical solutions.

Medical RSI Treatment

The standard medical treatment for RSI is:

  • Painkillers
  • Anti-Inflammatory drugs
  • Steroid injections
  • Surgery (e.g. for trapped Carpal Tunnel nerves)
  • Sedatives to aid sleeping

A combination of the above treatments, possibly coupled with resting the affected area may alleviate your RSI symptoms but treatment is much more likely to be successful if you examine the working conditions or leisure activities that triggered the RSI symptoms in the first place

But as with most medicines, the use of drugs to treat RSI can be counterproductive. e.g. painkillers can mask long term damage you may be doing and some sedatives can be addictive

Physiotherapy RSI Treatment

Your doctor may refer you to a physio who will give you exercises to loosen your joints and strengthen your muscles in the affected area.

Self Help / Ergonomics / Lifestyle Changes

Identifying the cause of your RSI symptoms and altering your behaviour can be the biggest factor in overcoming RSI. Things that may help are:

  • Spend less time doing the RSI-causing activity
  • Alternate activities so you don’t spend too long doing the same thing
  • Learn to touch type
  • Correct any posture issues you may have
  • Exercise (e.g. swimming, yoga etc)
  • Join a support group

September 21, 2010 · admin · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Treatment

RSI Stretches and Exercises

Stretching and exercising regularly can dramatically improve your RSI so we’ve provided a few RSI exercises and stetches you might like to try. Most people find that regular exercises or stretches before and during computer use helps them but please read the warning above as incorrect or inappropriate stretches can make your RSI worse

Also note that RSI stretches/exercises alone are unlikely to fully solve your RSI symptoms and other aspects such as posture and mouse usage are likely to also have an impact

Some of these stretches directly focus on specific RSI problem areas but others are aimed at generally improving your posture which in itself is often the cause of many RSI conditions

September 10, 2010 · admin · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Stretches And Exercises

Tendonitis Symptoms

Symptoms of the Repetitive Strain Injury Condition ‘Tendonitis’ include the following:

  • Applying pressure to the tendon causes pain (this is often the first RSI symptom to develop)
  • Range of movement is impaired (e.g. not being able to fully extend the arm)
  • Pain when moving the affected area
  • Tendons can be swollen or lumpy

June 23, 2010 · SteveRSI · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Symptoms

Dorsiflexion and Wrist RSI

Dorsiflexion of the wrist is of of the classic causes of computer related RSI. If you rest the heel of your palm on the desk and raise your fingers to use the mouse or keyboard you are exposing your wrist to dorsilflexion, straining the wrist muscles and tendons and running the risk of developing RSI!

Ensure you use correct typing / mouse posture and this risk will be minimized.

Mouse Pad With Wrist Rest

I use a simple mouse mat with a built in gel wrist rest/guard. This works for me and prevents dorsiflexion of the wrist

Mouse Alternatives

If using a computer mouse is causing problems why not ccheck out one of the many alternatives or use the mouse less.

June 11, 2010 · admin · Comments Closed
Posted in: Computers And RSI

Trigger Finger RSI Symptoms

Repetitive strain injuries can affect many parts of the body and can manifest themselves via various symptoms. If your work / leisure activities involve a repeated gripping action and your fingers sometimes make a clicking noise or get stuck in a bent position you may well be exhibiting symptoms of the RSI ccondition known as ‘Trigger Finger’

This occurs when some of your finger tendons gets inflamed and thickens,and then catches on the tendon sheath at the base of your finger. Trigger Finger usually affects your middle or ring finger or the thumb (Trigger Thumb!)

Typical Symptoms of this RSI condition include:

  • clicking noise when you move (or try to!) your finger
  • finger locks in a bent position
  • soreness at the base of your finger
  • soreness in palm when moving the finger/thumb
  • soreness in your finger
  • sore finger when gripping

June 7, 2010 · SteveRSI · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Symptoms

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome RSI Symptoms

The symptoms of the RSI condition ‘Carpal Tunnel Syndrome’ vary significantly. The symptoms tend to deterioriate over time unless action is taken. Symptoms incclude

  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Burning feeling in the thumb/fingers
  • Pain in the hands
  • Pain in the wrists
  • Lack of strength
  • Swelling of the hand
  • Symptoms can sometimes be exaggerated at night

 

June 4, 2010 · admin · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Symptoms

Shoulder Rotation / Roll RSI Stretch

Regular stretching and exercises can really alleviate RSI but this stretch is great before sports and just as a general warm up to the day. This one opens up your chest and sternum and loosens up the shoulders

– Stand or sit with a straight back and no slouching
– Slowly roll your shoulders back, up, forwards and back down
– Repeat 5 times
– Reverse the direction and repeat another 5 times

– As with all stretches stop immediately if you feel any pain or discomfort
– Note: you need to do it a lot slower than this picture

May 26, 2010 · SteveRSI · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Stretches And Exercises

The Prayer RSI Stretch

- Stand or sit with a straight back and no slouching
– In front of you place your hands into the prayer position with palms and fingers together
– Keeping your hands together move them gently downwards and you should feel a gentle stretch
– Hold for 10 seconds and release
– There are various varieties of this stretch (e.g. hands pointing outwards, downwards etc)
– As with all stretches stop immediately if you feel any pain or discomfort

May 26, 2010 · SteveRSI · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Stretches And Exercises

Head Tilt (or Chin Tilt) Stretch

Exercises the back of the neck and chin. I use this one a lot but support my chin with my hand as I’m doing it

– Stand or sit with a straight back and no slouching
– Slowly tilt your head up and down
– Repeat 5 times

– As with all stretches stop immediately if you feel any pain or discomfort
– Note: you need to do it a lot slower than this picture

May 26, 2010 · SteveRSI · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Stretches And Exercises

RSI Medical Terminology

There a many terms, abbreviations and acronymns used when discussing RSI. Here are a few of the ones we have come across.

Bursa   
Small fluid-filled sacs that protect and lubricate pressure points in the body (e.g. Between bones and tendons/muscles)
Bursitis   
Inflammation of the ‘Bursa’
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Compression of the median nerve which can cause pain, a feeling of cold, tingling, ‘pins and needles’ and weakness
CTS   
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dorsiflexion Bending the wrist upwards – typically while using a mouse or keyboard. Resting the heel of your palm on the desk and lifting your fingers to use the mouse/keyboard causes dorsiflexion
RSI     Repetitive Strain Injury

 

 

May 26, 2010 · admin · Comments Closed
Posted in: RSI Medical Terminology