do u constantly be plagued with recurring pain or soreness in neck, shoulders, upper back, wrists or hands?or do u ever experience a tingling effect, numbness, coldness or loss of sensation? and do your muscles in the arms and shoulders feel hard and wiry when palpated?
if it is a 'YES' for all the questions, be weary cause u might be suffering from 'Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)', also called 'Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD)'.
It is an occupational overuse syndrome, or work related upper limb disorder (WRULD), is any of a loose group of conditions resulting from overuse of a tool, eg. computer, guitar or knife, or other activity that requires repeated movements.
It is a syndrome that affects muscles, tendons and nerves in the hands, arms and upper back. The medically accepted condition in which it occurs is when muscles in these areas are kept tense for very long periods of time, due to poor posture and/or repetitive motions.
It is most common among assembly line and computer workers. Studies have related RSI and other upper extremity complaints with psychological and social factors. A large amount of psychological distress showed doubled risk of the reported pain, while job demands, poor support from colleagues, and work dissatisfaction also showed an increase in pain, even after short term exposure.[1] Some believe that stress is the main cause, rather than a contributing factor, of a large fraction of pain symptoms usually attributed to RSI.
how to treat it? What are the preventive methods?
- Partial or complete cessation of hand activity;
- Prescribe orthopedic hand braces;
- Medications (such as ibuprofen) to reduce swelling ;
- Cold compression therapy followed with TENS therapyto reduce inflammation and relieve pain
- Soft tissue therapy to enhance circulation and promote healing;
- Biofeedback to reduce stress-related muscle tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders;
- Massage treatment (for acute pain and nerve trigger points);
- the traditional method would be chomping on Ginger, as it is considered to be a natural anti-inflammatory agent; and
- more...such as Surgery (that would be the last resort);
why am i so bothered to write an entry about RSI?
because i am suffering from it. an occupational hazard if i may add.
like the doc says, this is a warning sign to me, urging me to start on any of the preventive methods; before it prolonged and turn worst. i was laughing my a** off when doc told me that. cause i was disbelief that such things can happen to me? the only time i was hospitalised was when i gave birth to nadrah. never in my wildest dream or in a conscious state of mind that i could suffer anything cause i just know it. but this news proved to be a shock to me.
peeps might be taking it light cause it is not a common disorder or maybe it is common but they are just not aware about it. so fren, do heed my advice yeah. do visit the doc or try out the preventive measures if u experience what i am experiencing now. no joke abt it.
coming back to me, where and when can i begin?
maybe i should plan for a short break with double 'N'?
or even persuade my office to buy ergonomics chair for me (in your wildest dream, Isma)?
or better! cut down the required paperwork and just go straight to organise the event?
how badly i want a miracle to happen!
but the honest truth is... blatantly... time is not on my side
and that hurt! =(
