There are individuals that go out every day to their workplace and perform the same, constant task. Some perform this repetitive task for several months; others perform the same ritual for many years. Most people who regularly perform a repetitive duty are at risk of developing a condition referred to as repetitive strain injury or RSI. This injury is any group of debilitating medical disorders created by doing the repetitious activity over and over again.
RSI is responsible for more than half of the workplace illnesses. Meat cutters, assembly-line workers, ditch diggers and computer users normally develop this condition. Most likely due to growing computer use, during the late 20th century, RSI sufferers increased vastly. Musicians, dentists and cashiers quite often complain of its symptoms.
A wrist disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common RSI. Inflammation of the tendon sheaths in the thumb is known as de Quervain’s disease. Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is also a frequent pain and illness. Numbness in the fingers, pain in the back, arms and neck and aching muscles, is quite frequent as well.
An ergonomics specialist can study people and can advise changes to the workplace. From the beginning, employees should be taught proper posture as they learn the use of computers, tools and machines. They should be encouraged to maintain a natural pace and take advantage of rest breaks. In several cases, medical treatment is a necessity. Anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as steroid injections may be prescribed. Surgery may be a possibility if other treatments fail. It’s suggested that to avoid these treatments, prevention is the best remedy.
Most individuals spend time shifting from one foot to another as we stand. Whether we’re standing in line for the 7:20 movie at your local multiplex or we work a 10-12 hour shift on our feet (with only a ½ hour lunch to sit), the first thing that we want to do when we arrive home is soak our bodies in a warm bath.
An applied science that the average person can use at any given time, without equipment or an apparatus to improve and maintain your posture and constantly used muscles is referred to as Ergonomics. So, in this case, when we are on the movie line and it’s a good 20 to 30 minutes before we can sit in the theater with our popcorn and favorite refreshment, we can keep lifting through the arches of our feet with all of the weight avoiding sinking toward the ground. We can also keep our shoulders rolling down and back, away from the ears, with the chest lifting up. These exercises will help relieve tension and prevent strain injury. Start a life long journey of prevention by taking the strain from your knees, arches, lower backs, while perfecting your posture and pose with ergonomics.
Leon Groom writes about Ergo Keyboards and Mice, ErgoSplit Keyboards and Popular Arm Rests. |
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