Jobs Which Cause RSI

Jobs Vulnerable to RSI

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Repetitive jobs at work over a long period of time are the main cause of RSI. Factory workers, keyboard users and administration or computer programmers are just some jobs that are prone to these repeated actions at work. Office jobs based on using a keyboard can cause Repetitive Strain Injury particularly if the duties include data entry . This is particularly the case if these duties amount to two hours a day or more especially when the staff member is not able to take regular breaks to rest the affected hand, wrist or arm.

Common Professions and Professions

Any job which has repeated actions over a long time can add to the risk of developing RSI. Some jobs such as office or assembly line workers are known to be at particular risk. However some of the following professions are also at risk of developing RSI:

• Food Pickers
• Supermarket Checkout
• Data Entry Administrators and programmers
• Warehouse workers
• Cold Food Processing operatives
• Workers on Assembly lines
• Lorry Drivers
• Factory Machinists
• Decorators and Painters
• Sewing Machinists
• Builders and Manual Labourers
• Maunal labourers using vibrating tools
• Labourers working with heavy lifting

Individuals who would otherwise have still had a lot to contribute to at work have had little option other than to cease working, because of the disabling effects of RSI. If you’ve had to stop working because of your symptoms, then we suggest that you should speak to your GP and begin a no win no fee claim online.

What Are The Symptoms of RSI

Repetitive Strain Injuries usually involves the wrists and hands – or a combination of these. The symptoms of the condition vary, but includes the following sensations in the affected limb:

• Stiffness
• Numbness
• Cramp
• Tenderness

Sometimes, symptoms can include pain when trying to use the limb concerned, leading to its impaired use, causing some sufferers being unable to work.

How Can You Get Diagnosed For RSI?

There’s no single test for RSI and it is often diagnosed by your GP from your symptoms. Usually your Repetitive Strain Injury the symptoms can fade if you have to give up work or the job that caused your RSI in the first place. Your GP will examine the your affected hand, wrist, arm or your neck and will ask about your medical history, symptoms as well as any repetitive jobs you have at work. Your Doctor will be able to diagnose you with either Type 1 RSI or Type 2 RSI. Type 1 RSI can be diagnosed from your symptoms and can be identified a medical condition such as nerve entrapment (carpal tunnel syndrome – CTS). If your GP cannot diagnose you for having Type 1 or an associated Type 1 condition (such as CTS), then you may require a blood test to rule out inflammatory joint diseases or osteoarthritis. If neither are found, then you will be diagnosed with Type 2 RSI or non-specific upper limb pain syndrome

How Can You Treat RSI Repetitive Strain Injury

If diagnosed and treated early , Repetitive Strain Injury can be managed successfully. Treatment for RSI involves avoiding or reducing the cause of the problem and taking regular exercise including therapeutic stretches. Stretching and exercising your hands and wrists can also help people who have severe Repetitive Strain Injury. For people who use computers, or use their fingers and hands a lot some exercises maybe helpful:

• Form a loose fist, palm up and use your hand to press gently down against the clenched hand.
• Clench the fingers of one hand into a tight fist, then release fanning out your fingers. Repeat this five times.
• Bend your thumb to below your little finger and hold for 5 seconds then spread your fingers apart ( palm up) for 5 seconds. Repeat ten times per hand.
• Shrug then squeeze your shoulders down, back and then forwards.
• Gently pull your thumb out and back and hold for five seconds. Repeat ten times with each hand.

Alternatively They will also be able to recommend anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers that you can buy off the shelves, to reduce the swelling around the wrist and ease the symptoms for a short time.

Prevention & Protection

To help prevent developing RSI, you need to be aware whether your job, work or profession involves regular repeated actions so you can plan regular breaks – at least every two hours. If you work in an office you need to make sure that you have a chair that you can adjust the height of so that your arms are parallel to the desk and floating just about your keyboard. Avoid bad posture and awkward positions of the body – particularly typing with two hands while cradling a telephone receiver between the ear and the shoulder. If you’ve been told you have RSI or a condition such as Carpal Tunnel by your Doctor and feel it’s as a direct result of your work, then you should call us free on 0800 028 2060 to see if you can claim for compensation for carpal tunnel or Repetitive Strain Injury.

UK Support Groups for Repetitive Strain Injuries

Our industrial disease team will be able to assist you with a claim for RSI compensation and recommend organisations who can help you with living with RSI. However, there are many organisation that can also help. RSI Action is a registered charity which helps sufferers of Repetitive Strain Injury . They aim to assist in the prevention of Repetitive Strain Injuries within the UK and to help individuals with the symptoms, hardship and distress caused by the condition. RSI Action also provides support from Nottingham and can be contacted by email : Email: [email protected]