RSI

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Repetitive Strain Disorder

• RSI

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What is RSI?

• Repetitive Strain Injuries occur from repeated
  physical movements doing damage to tendons,
  nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues.
• Another name for the condition is Cumulative
  Trauma Disorder.

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Related Conditions to RSI

• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Tenosynovitis
• DeQuervains Syndrome
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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What are the Symptoms?

• Tightness, discomfort, stiffness, or pain in the
  hands, wrists, fingers, forearms, or elbows.
• Tingling, coldness, or numbness in the hands.
• Clumsiness or loss of strength and coordination
  in the hands.
• Pain that wakes you up at night.
• Feeling a need to massage your hands, wrists, and
  arms.

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How Can It Be Prevented?

• Ensure that the operator has a comfortable
  sitting position sufficiently flexible to reach,
  use, and observe the display screen, keyboard,
  and document.
• Provide posture support for the back, arms, legs,
  and feet, and adjustable display screens and
  keyboards.
• Ensure that the Video Display Terminals (VDT)
  tables or desk are vertically adjustable to allow
  for operator adjustment of the screen and
  keyboard.
• Ensure proper chair height and support to the
  lower region of the back.
• Ensure that document holders are used to allow
  the operator to position and view material
  without straining the eyes or neck, shoulder, and
  back muscles.

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Some Specifics

• Dont rest the wrist on anything while typing.

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Tilt The Back Edge Of the Keyboard Down

• Recent research suggest that all of this may be
  easier to do if you tilt the back edge of your
  keyboard down, away from you.

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Some Other Tricks

• Dont pound on the keys.
• Use two hands to perform double-key operations
  like Ctrl-C or Alt-F.
• Take lots of breaks to stretch and relax.
• Hold the mouse lightly.
• Keep your arms hands warm
• Eliminate unnecessary computer usage.

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Other Stuff

• Evaluate other activities
• Dont tuck the telephone between your shoulder
  and ear.
• Pay attention to your body.
• Remember that children are at risk too.

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What If You Have Symptoms of RSI?

• See a doctor right away.
• Early diagnosis is critical to limiting damage.
• Systemic disorders such as diabetes can mimic or
  exacerbate RSI.

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There Are No Quick Fixes