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February 28, 2011, is 12th international Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)

awareness day, initiated on 29thFeb 2000. The leap year day was chosen as it is the

only non-repetitive day of the year. In non-leap years, RSI day is observed onFebruary 28. It was started to raise public awareness about the causes of RSI,

their devastating effects and ways to eliminate them.

It is a collective term for a variety of motion-induced,

painful unbearable disorders that result from damage to

muscles, tendons, and nerves due to delayed cyclic activity. If

injuries are neglected and untreated for a long time, they could

require surgery.

Synonymous

These disorders have received many names, such as:

Repetitive motion injuries Cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) Overuse syndrome Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)

Risk factors/Causes

Excessive use of new age mobile phones like Smart Phones, phones withinternet access, phones with music and gaming facility, playing video gamesand hand-intensive hobbies such as playing a musical instrument, gardening,carpentry, needle crafts etc.

Binge or marathon computer use (i.e., video games, deadlines)

Lack of frequent, regular micro-breaks Lack of control over pacing or workload (rush work, deadlines, quotas) Poor posture Static loading (holding still for long periods, as in holding a mouse while

staring at a computer monitor)

Poor technique (twisting or resting wrists, forearms or elbows while using akeyboard or mouse)

Improper workstation setup (i.e., keyboard too high, monitor too high, low oroff to one side)

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/rmirsi.html

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Inadequate seating (i.e., chair too high, low, orlacking lumbar support)

Awkward positions (i.e., typing while using thetelephone, reaching for the mouse)

Smoking, Obesity, Lack of regular exercise Improper eyeglass prescription or

undiagnosed vision problem.

Arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disease, pregnancyand menopause.

Nowadays computers have become ubiquitous be it at work or at home front. RSI iscommonly associated with computers and hands, wrist, shoulder, neck, back

problems. However, it is a MYTH that RSI occurs only in Computer users and

effects hands & arms. RSI can occur with almost all repetitive activities likelifting, bending, sitting etc in improper manner and lower limbs can also be

affected like knee joints, deep vein thrombosis which occurs due to long sitting.

RSI Health ProblemsThe most commonly noticed signs and symptoms of RSIare as follows:

Tingling numbness or a burning sensation in the hand Reduced grip strength in the hand Swelling or stiffness in the joints Pain in wrists, forearms, elbows, neck, or back Reduced range of motion Cramping Dry, itchy, or sore eyes

Tension headaches Social Disconnect

Keep in mind; however, you can have severe RSI without experiencing pain. The

following checklist can help you determine whether you have RSI:

Do you experience?

Fatigue or lack of endurance Weakness in the hands or forearms Tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation Heaviness: Do your hands feel like dead weight?

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Clumsiness: Do you keep dropping things? Frequent self-massage (subconsciously) Lack of strength in your hands. Is it harder to open jars? Cut vegetables?

Lack of control or coordination

In addition to these symptoms, RSI can also lead to behavioral changes which youmay not even be aware of, such as:

Avoid using the injured hand Use your non-dominant hand more frequently Avoid wearing certain kinds of clothing because it is too difficult to put

them

Change shopping habits because you can't carry as much as you could Keep dropping things. Have trouble with keys, putting on jewelry or brushing

teeth?

If you experience any of these warning signs of RSI, see your doctor immediately.RSI Do's and Don'ts

Cut down on computer use: leave voicemail instead of sending e-mail. Go for awalk or see a movie instead of playing video games. Look something up in a book

instead of searching the Web.

Dos:

Pay attention to position. Adjust your workstation properly. Make sure yourmonitor is directly in front of you, with the topof the screen at eye level.

How you sit at your desk is key - you should bewell supported on the seat of the chair so that

your back's natural support mechanism can work.

Good touch typing skills will help to preventinappropriate tension from building up andleading to strain and pain.

Take regular micro breaks to prevent musclestiffness, eye strain on and to REFRESH mind.

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