Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is an RSI?ExamplesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is an RSI?
Examples
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Coping
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What Is a Repetitive Strain Injury?
A repetitive stress injury—also called cumulative trauma disorder—is damage tomuscles,joints,tendons, ornervesthat occurs from overuse or repeated movements of a part of the body. These conditions are the leading cause of work-related injuries in the United States.
Repetitive strain injuries do not have a single cause or event. They develop gradually from microtrauma or overloading body structures.
Examples of RSIs
There are many types of RSIs, but some are more common than others.
Examples of common RSIs include:
Repetitive and Restricted Behavior in Autism
Symptoms of RSIs
Pain from RSIs is typically dull and achy but can progress and become sharp in nature. Early on, pain might only occur during the activities that led up to the injury. However, as the condition worsens, pain can also occur at rest or during the night.
In addition to pain, RSIs can cause:
What Causes RSIs?
Overusing a particular part of the body is the primary cause of RSI. This includes repetitive movements, prolonged postures, awkward positioning, and overworking tired muscles.
Certain careers, activities, and sports can increase the risk of repetitive strain injury, especially if they are done for prolonged periods without adequate rest.
Examples include:
How Is an RSI Diagnosed?
Healthcare providers often use imaging to help confirm an RSI diagnosis and assess the level of damage that might have occurred to the affected structures.Imaging can include:
How Are RSIs Treated?
Healthcare providers recommend treating RSI symptoms with a combination of home remedies and medications.
Treatments can include:
Many people with RSIs benefit fromphysical therapy. Physical therapists use varioustreatments and modalitiesto reduce pain, decrease stiffness, improve mobility, and increase strength.
If these treatments are not successful, your healthcare provider may recommend additional interventions, such as:
How to Prevent an RSI
While you might not be able to prevent an RSI, you can take many steps to reduce your risk of developing the painful conditions related to these injuries.
Use Proper Posture and Good Body Mechanics
Keeping your joints in proper alignment and using good body mechanics helps reduce stress on your muscles and tendons during daily tasks.
As much as possible, follow these tips:
Forearm StretchesYour forearm muscles are particularly prone to repetitive strain injury. Stretch these muscles several times daily to reduce the risk of injury.To do so:Hold your right arm straight out in front of you, with your palm facing the ground.Bend your wrist down toward the ground.Use your left hand to gently press on the back of your right hand until you feel a stretch along your forearm.Hold for 15 seconds, and repeat five times.Bend your right wrist upward.Apply pressure on your right palm with your left hand until you feel a stretch along your forearm.Hold for 15 seconds and repeat five times.Repeat both stretches on your left arm.
Forearm Stretches
Your forearm muscles are particularly prone to repetitive strain injury. Stretch these muscles several times daily to reduce the risk of injury.To do so:Hold your right arm straight out in front of you, with your palm facing the ground.Bend your wrist down toward the ground.Use your left hand to gently press on the back of your right hand until you feel a stretch along your forearm.Hold for 15 seconds, and repeat five times.Bend your right wrist upward.Apply pressure on your right palm with your left hand until you feel a stretch along your forearm.Hold for 15 seconds and repeat five times.Repeat both stretches on your left arm.
Your forearm muscles are particularly prone to repetitive strain injury. Stretch these muscles several times daily to reduce the risk of injury.
To do so:
Tips for Computer and Desk Workers
Sitting at a desk for prolonged periods can significantly increase your risk of an RSI. Try these tips at your workstation:
Coping With an RSI
Dealing with an RSI can be stressful and discouraging. Chronic pain can increase the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.In turn, this can lead to poor sleep, which can worsen RSI symptoms.
If your RSI is causing you stress, try some relaxation andstress managementtechniques, such asdiaphragmatic breathing, a form of deep breathing, and meditation. Consider talking to amental health provider.
Prevention of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Summary
Most RSIs improve with conservative treatment, but more severe cases might require surgery. Proper body mechanics and good workplace ergonomics can reduce your risk of developing an RSI. See a healthcare provider if you suspect you have an RSI to avoid permanent damage to your joints.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NHS.Repetitive strain injury (RSI). May 24, 2022.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Repetitive motion disorders.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Overuse injuries.Connecticut Department of Public Health.Cumulative trauma disorders.Arnold MJ, Moody AL.Common running injuries: evaluation and management.afp. 2018;97(8):510-516.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment for hands.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP).UCLA.Preventing musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strain injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Therapeutic exercise program for epicondylitis (tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow).National Institutes of Health.Computer workstation ergonomics: self-assessment checklist.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Advice from a certified hand therapist: avoiding pain while working in your home office.American Psychiatric Association.Chronic pain and mental health often interconnected.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NHS.Repetitive strain injury (RSI). May 24, 2022.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Repetitive motion disorders.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Overuse injuries.Connecticut Department of Public Health.Cumulative trauma disorders.Arnold MJ, Moody AL.Common running injuries: evaluation and management.afp. 2018;97(8):510-516.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment for hands.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP).UCLA.Preventing musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strain injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Therapeutic exercise program for epicondylitis (tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow).National Institutes of Health.Computer workstation ergonomics: self-assessment checklist.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Advice from a certified hand therapist: avoiding pain while working in your home office.American Psychiatric Association.Chronic pain and mental health often interconnected.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NHS.Repetitive strain injury (RSI). May 24, 2022.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Repetitive motion disorders.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Overuse injuries.Connecticut Department of Public Health.Cumulative trauma disorders.Arnold MJ, Moody AL.Common running injuries: evaluation and management.afp. 2018;97(8):510-516.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment for hands.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP).UCLA.Preventing musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strain injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Therapeutic exercise program for epicondylitis (tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow).National Institutes of Health.Computer workstation ergonomics: self-assessment checklist.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Advice from a certified hand therapist: avoiding pain while working in your home office.American Psychiatric Association.Chronic pain and mental health often interconnected.
NHS.Repetitive strain injury (RSI). May 24, 2022.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Repetitive motion disorders.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Overuse injuries.
Connecticut Department of Public Health.Cumulative trauma disorders.
Arnold MJ, Moody AL.Common running injuries: evaluation and management.afp. 2018;97(8):510-516.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Heat treatment and cold treatment for hands.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP).
UCLA.Preventing musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strain injuries.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Therapeutic exercise program for epicondylitis (tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow).
National Institutes of Health.Computer workstation ergonomics: self-assessment checklist.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Advice from a certified hand therapist: avoiding pain while working in your home office.
American Psychiatric Association.Chronic pain and mental health often interconnected.
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