These tips are primarily aimed to computer users who are suffering from RSI but many of them are equally applicable to other employments or leisure activities

1) Don't Delay !

It may seem obvious but the longer you leave it, the worse it could get. Many people work through the discomfort until it becomes pain. Then it becomes severe pain and before you know it computer use is impossible and they are unable to work. Tackle RSI as soon as you are aware of the issue and the prognosis is much improved.

2) Don't Panic !

It's easy to starting panicking when you experience those twinges in your wrists. But remember that most people overcome RSI with minor workplace or working practice adjustments. The main thing is to act quickly before it gets any worse.

3) Beware the Internet

There are a lot of sites about RSI on the web, many of them not written by medical professionals, so be careful about what you read. A good suggestion would be to prepare a list of steps you think would be a good idea and then discuss them with your doctor or medical practitioner.

Office workers using VDU/computer equipment are the classic example of a 'high risk' occupation but RSI is by no means limited to this group of people. Any job or leisure pursuit involving repetitive motions can cause RSI.

The following list gives a few examples of industries and potentially 'at risk' occupations.

    * Manufacturing - Packaging, Assembly, Welders
    * Food processing - Cake Decoraters, Fishmongers, Meat Cutters
    * Clothing - Seamstress, Cloth Cutters
    * Construction - Sanders, Bricklayers, Carpenters
    * Transport - Drivers, Handlers
    * Retailing - Shelf Stackers, Checkout Staff
    * Offices - Computer/VDU Operators, Typists, Filing
    * Health services - Lab Workers, Chiropodists
    * Services - Postal Workers, Cleaners, Hairdressers
    * Entertainment - Dancers, Musicians

Other Risk Factors

Within the above professions most people will have no RSI issues but there are a number of other risk factors that may predispose an individual to developing RSI at work.

Your Employer

Your employer has a duty to keep you safe at work and assess any risks you may be subject to. Check out your Employers Responsibilities and get them involved as soon as possible if you suspect you are developing an RSI type injury

If you're reading this you probably think you have RSI caused by your working conditions and are thinking of suing your employer for an RSI compensation claim. Its's not an easy thing to prove in the courts but some people have received large payouts.

Do You Have a Valid RSI Compensation Claim?

To stand any chance of making a successful compensation claim against your employer, you need to consider the following 3 key points:

• You were exposed to a risk of RSI injury through work and your employer knew of this (or should have known)
• Your employer didn't take any reasonable steps to prevent the development of RSI through your work
• Your RSI was caused directly (although maybe not fully) by your work and the failure of your employer to try to minimise the risk

The problem is that there are many grey areas in proving these claim cases. Was your RSI injury caused by your work? Did your employer take all 'reasonable' steps to prevent it? What are 'reasonable' steps exactly?

But there are successful compensation claims, many of which are settled before the courts so if you believe that your RSI was caused by your employers failure to take reasonable precautions then it may be worth pursuing.

How Much RSI Compensation Could I Get?

The amounts awarded will vary considerably based on the extent of the injury and the degree the employer is held responsible. e.g.

• Inland revenue typists awarded approx £80,000
• Council chainsaw worker awarded £60,000
• Checkout Operators awarded over £30,000

Should I Claim For Compensation ?

Well its entirely up to you! Legal action can be draining and exhausting but the rewards may well be worth it. Whether it compensates for the pain and suffering RSI causes is debatable so obviously it is better to prevent the problem occuring in the first place

Your employer has a number of responsibilities regarding RSI at work as it is their fundamental responsibility to keep you safe and assess any risks that you may be subject to.

RSI Risk Assessment

It is your employer's responsibility to keep you safe at work!. This includes assessing any risks you may face and taking the appropriate remedial action. This includes obvious cases (e.g. checking that industrial machines have the correct safeguards fitted) but also the more seemingly innocuous risks such as keyboard and mouse use while using a computer.

Employers must (or should!):

• Identify the risk
• Assess the risk
• Take steps to prevent or control the risk
• Modify the work tasks to the individual concerned
• Check the steps taken are working
• Review the assessment

Eye Test

OK so the link between your eyesight and RSI may not be clear (if you'll excuse the pun!) but if you are struggling to see the computer screen clearly then you may be hunching up closer to the monitor than is comfortable. This may be one small piece of the the jigsaw but you never know what may be the root cause of your RSI.

If you are a regular computer user your employer should pay for a free eye test every 2 years

Compensation For RSI Injury at Work

Of course, it is possible that your employer has taken all possible steps and your RSI continues to deteriorate but if your employer hasn't listened or taken the required steps you may have a case for claiming compensation.

There are many factors that may influence the severity and occurence of RSI, some of which are detailed below. Note that this list is not exhaustive and trying to treat your RSI using this list is not to be recommended. Always see a health professional if you think you have RSI.

Excessive Computer Use

Its hard to define 'excessive' as it varies from person to person but anyone using a computer for more than 3 hours per day could be deemd 'more at risk'

Intensity

Intense users (e.g. data entry) are more at risk than occasional computer users and this can also vary at different times of the year (e.g. end of year reporting)

Poor Posture

This is one of the key factors that seems to influence RSI. If you sit properly and have a comfortable workstation you are much less likely to develop RSI

Stress

It may be obvious but people who suffer high stress levels are more likely to be intense computer users and take fewer breaks

Telephone Use

If you have a phone crunched up under you chin and you are using a computer at the same time you're just asking for trouble. A headset will work wonders in this case. Talk to your employer about this

Eyesite   

Similar to telephone use above, if you can't see the screen you'll tend to lean forward with resulting poor posture. Again , talk to your employer

Genetics

Some people are just naturally predisposed to developing this kind of injury

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.