Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) Are Serious Problems

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) has become a common problem with those of us who use a computer too much, and nowadays, most of us do. It's difficult to see how such minor movement can do any great harm. So what if the hand gets a little tingly? Shake it. Shoulders stiff and sore? Stretch them out. The problem goes away-for the moment.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), Tendonitis, Tendonosis, Tenosynovitis, Bursitis,Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) are just some of the health issues you can suffer from when you overuse the computer. (Another problem in today's world is learning what all those initials mean...) These aches and pains aren't necessarily minor health issues, and they aren't necessarily going to go away.

Studies are finding that shoulders and necks often are the worst trouble areas. Close behind come the hand and wrist area. The cure? Well, once some of these things have set in, there's long-term physical therapy, as well as drugs, involved. But for most of us, it's still preventable and/or correctable. Unfortunately, it takes that sadly underused ingredient called common sense. We need to pause in our work every twenty minutes and stretch. Stand up, lift one shoulder at a time, rotate it, and lower it, gently bend your neck from side to side, spread your fingers before making a fist several times. Pretend you're a cat. S..t..r..e..t..c..h.

That's good advice for most things we do in today's world. Don't allow yourself to watch television without rising every half hour (yes, you can choose commercial time) and stretching. Getting to your feet is much better than sitting in a chair and stretching, although either way is much better than nothing. When you get up while watching television, you well might find yourself not returning to your couch potato position. Breaking the spell can be beneficial in many of our pursuits. It clears our minds as well as repositioning our bodies.