Ouch! That Hurts! Top Tips to Avoid RSI.

Repetitive Strain Injury – or RSI as it is commonly known – is a potentially disabling condition brought on by prolonged repetitive hand or wrist movements. Office workers are among those most prone to developing RSI due to frequent computer use. Although the condition doesn’t generate as much media attention as back pain, RSI can lead to life-altering symptoms such as shooting pains in the hands, wrists, forearms and back.

We’ve treated many patients with RSI here at our Southend chiropractic clinic; and lots of these cases could have been easily prevented by doing simple things.

While modern ergonomics can be very effective at minimising the risk of conditions such as RSI, quite often, you simply just need to look at the basics such as ensuring you maintain good posture while you work and taking frequent breaks away from your desk. In fact; one of the best ways to reduce your risk of developing RSI is to ensure that your keyboard and mouse are in the right position. Ideally, your keyboard should be as close to you as possible and your mouse should be right next to your keyboard and close to the front edge of the desk.

So do these things:

  • Maintain good posture while you work
  • Take regular breaks away from your desk
  • Keep your keyboard and mouse positioned close to you

RSI can be a complex condition, but it’s usually really simple to prevent.