Repetitive Strain Injury In Computer Users

A lot of computer users suffer with repetitive strain injury due to long periods at their desks typing away. Making the same movement repeatedly causes repetitive strain injury, which damages soft tissue in the area in use.

Computer users up and down the land have been struck with repetitive strain injury due to high speed typing and dragging that mouse over the pad.

The symptoms many computer users suffer with are, soreness, stiffness and tightness in the hands, wrists and arms. The damage caused can cause a lot of pain and reduce the movement in the affected area meaning a sufferer may need to take time off work.

Some people are not aware of what they are suffering with and cause them more injury by taking painkillers to hide the pain and carrying on with the same movements that caused the injury in the first place.

Preventing repetitive strain injury in computer users

Repetitive strain injury is one of a group of injuries that are caused solely by a persons neglect to their own welfare, if you look after yourself then you will likely not fall victim to this painful condition. There are a few different points you need to be aware of when looking after yourself during computer use.

To prevent repetitive strain injury you first need to take the correct posture needed to carry out computer work correctly, your posture is paramount to combating repetitive strain injury. First you need to look at ergonomics to make sure your posture is correct, ergonomics is the applied science used in the development of computer equipment to reduce the users fatigue and injury and increase productivity.

Using ergonomics will show you that your monitor should be straight ahead and at eye level, your legs should be at right angles so your chair height may need adjusting, and most importantly your arms need to rest comfortably on the desk and your fingers must be in easy reach of the keyboard and mouse so you don’t strain your hands.

Make sure you press the keyboard keys and mouse buttons softly, if you are needlessly pressing buttons too hard then you risk adding stress to your fingers and wrists increasing the possibility of injury.

Try to keep your hands and wrists relaxed so you do not build up tension causing an increased risk of injury.

Another important factor to preventing repetitive strain injury is to take regular breaks, it may sound like common sense but when you get engrossed with something on the Internet or that report you need to get completed it is easy to forget.

If the pain persists talk to your manager or human resources at work who may be able to provide a better alternative so you don’t have to suffer.

Overall repetitive strain injury can be quite painful, if you do not seek advice to alleviate the issue you can cause further damage, after all repetitive strain injury is really an injury caused by applying too much stress to an area.