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

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

• 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

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.

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

• 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

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

– 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