What is RSI?

If you work for a living like most of us do, then you could be suffering from RSI. Do you sit in a desk chair all day and type on the computer? Do you stand on your feet all day in a warehouse? It doesn't matter what you do, you could suffer from RSI. What is RSI? How do you know if you have it or not? Is it a serious problem? Before you jump to conclusions let's take a minute to find out exactly what RSI is and how it can effect you. Then you can be the judge as to if you think this maybe a problem for you or someone you live with.

RSI or Repetitive Strain Injury, is when you overuse or over do something. It is a work related upper limp disorder. This means that you are over using either muscles, tendons, or nerves. This can be in your arms and/or upper back. If you sit in a office chair all day, does your back get stiff and you need to get up and move around to get the aches and pains out? Then you could have RSI.

Is there something you can do to fix this problem? Yes, there is. You can keep from getting these aches and pains, but not putting as much tension on these areas. How? Get up out of the chair every so often. Do some stretches, walk around the room, anything to help you stretch out your problem areas. You can do the same thing if you are on your feet all day. The key is to make sure you are doing something to prevent this problem from occurring. You can even help the problem by maintaining good posture as well. It is really about about making yourself more comfortable. Don't keep sitting there when you are hurting or standing there. Not when you can do something about it and make your pain ease away.

The thing is to have RSI you must have had an prier injury. It could be in your hands, neck, back, or other places. One of the most common would be carpal tunnel syndrome. You have heard of it and may even know someone that has it. You can help prevent this from happening to you if you just take the necessary actions. The best thing you can do to make sure that you don't wait until it's too late, is stay in tune with your body if you are feeling pain or fatigue. You may have pain when you massage a area. There are many warning signs that go off, but you may not pay attention. Know these signs and make sure that you take care of them before they get out of hand. It is your body that you are putting at risk for long term pain. It is something that no one wants and it is up to you to make sure it doesn't happen to you.