Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) include many different types of injuries to nerves and soft tissue (i.e., muscles, ligaments, and tendons) that result from performing the same motion repeatedly over a long period.

Unlike a pulled muscle injury that occurs all at once, RSI’s are injuries that occur slowly over time. They begin as small, unnoticeable injuries to one area that build upon each other to become painful. Since RSI’s often have subtle symptoms that come and go, such as numb fingers or dull pain in the wrist, they are often ignored. If left unchecked, the early symptoms can grow into a debilitating RSI such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

How and why do RSI’s develop?

The muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, and bones in your body work together as a machine to keep you moving and working.  Collectively, these parts are called the musculoskeletal system. Individually, these parts are similar to the pulleys, levers, and motors that make mechanical equipment work. Just as the individual pieces in a car can break or wear down, the individual parts of your musculoskeletal system can break and wear down. RSI’s occur when the wear and tear on your body occurs faster than your body can fix itself. Because all of the components of our bodies are connected, a breakdown in one area can affect another area.

The development of carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of how RSI’s develop. When you type on a keyboard, the repetitive finger movements cause the tendons to wear at their protective coverings. If you do not give your wrists time to replenish the protective coating in the covering, the tendons will begin to rub against the cover itself, which can lead to inflammation and pain. If this occurs day after day, the inflammation can compound and cause swelling that puts pressure on the nerves in your wrist, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.

See the Tendonitis, Tenosynovitis, Bursitis, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome sections for related information.

 

Ergonomics and You

Health and Body

• Posture
  • Angled Hands
  • Arched Hands
  • Bent Neck
  • Body Twist
  • Eye Strain
  • Feet and Legs
  • Hunched Back
  • Phone Pinch
  • Pinched Fingers
  • Tips for Comfortable Posture
• Bursitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis

Office Ergonomics

• Chair
• Desk
  • Keyboard
  • Lighting
  • Monitor
  • Mouse
  • Wrist Rest
• Stretching Exercises

Nine Stretches & Alternate Instructions

• Chest Stretch
• Eye Relaxer
• Finger Stretch
• Lower-back Stretch
• Neck Stretch
• Neck Stretch II
• Shoulder Roll
• Upper-back Stretch
• Wrist Stretch