Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
RSI = Repetitive Strain Injury
What you can do to prevent RSI:
- Take extra breaks of at least 10 minutes.
- Variety of tasks and variation of attitude.
- Set up your computer so that you not only have to work with the mouse, but also with the various function keys on the keyboard.
- Fill your 10-minute breaks with exercise, other work and/or walking.
- Ensure that the chair and desk are at the correct height (ergonomic workplace).
- Be alert to complaints.
- Avoiding stress, avoiding too high a work pace.
- Alternate left and right handed mice.
- Do not use the numeric section on the right side of the keyboard too much and do not press the keys too hard.
- When typing or using the mouse, never support your wrists solely or mainly on a work surface or wrist rest, as this will concentrate the weight of the entire arm on the vulnerable wrist area.
- When typing and using a mouse, hold your hands so that the axis of the forearm extends lengthwise to the middle finger.
- It is good to relax the muscles in the neck-shoulder region regularly, e.g. during (thinking) breaks, to let your arms rest on the desk and/or armrests. Do not support your arms when you type or mouse.
- Avoid having to reach far for the keyboard or mouse. These should be within easy reach when your arms are resting on the desk at a ninety-degree angle. Always move closer to the desk as much as possible.
- Ensure a warm ambient temperature. Too cold rooms are more likely to cause complaints. Warm your hand if it feels too cold with anelectrically heated mouse pad or electrically heated desk pad.
And finally, the phases of RSI:
Phase 1: Beginning phase.
Tingling, sensitive and tired hands, wrists, arms, neck or shoulders. The complaints occur during or just after work and often disappear with normal evening or weekend rest. The connection with work is not yet made by everyone. The complaints are usually still bearable. Do not keep your complaints to yourself, they will not go away by themselves! If you take measures at this stage, the complaints will disappear completely. If necessary, consult your doctor at this stage.
Stage 2: Advanced stage.
There is no longer a relationship with certain tasks, the pain occurs with everything. Pain can vary between a light tingling sensation or burning pain, sometimes there is a loss of strength. Neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands are oversensitive or numb. The fingers tingle. Complaints no longer disappear with normal evening or weekend rest. You are urgently advised to go to your GP.
Phase 3: Permanent phase.
Persistent pain that does not go away. Working is (almost) impossible. Picking up a cup is already painful. You hardly have any strength left in your arms and hands. Treatment has little success. Therefore, take measures immediately in phase 1.
1 comment
Bedankt voor de tips!
Voorkomen is beter dan genezen en met de aanschaf van de verwarmde muismat kan ik dit wellicht voorkomen.