Experiencing a tingling feeling in your wrist or stiffness in your neck? Don’t ignore it! You might be affected by a Repetitive Stress Harm.

One of many greatest challenges to our well being in the present day is the period of time we spend on actions that trigger pressure on our our bodies. From staying slumped over the desk for lengthy hours to partaking in high-intensity exercise, repeated use of the identical motion causes irritation and injury to muscle tissues, nerves and tendons within the physique.

The variety of Indians affected by Repetitive Stress Harm, additionally known as Repetitive Pressure Harm (RSI), is on the rise in the present day. One research by RECOUP, a Bangalore-based Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Centre, reveals that as much as 75% of inhabitants working within the IT, BPOs and the decision centre trade are in danger and are exhibiting signs of RSI.

What causes Repetitive Stress Harm?

Tiny tears within the muscle or tendon tissue are routine however any ache or injury triggered is normally healed with relaxation. Nevertheless, with out relaxation, the construction of the muscle or tendon is impacted.

When the muscle tissues are broken or develop into tight as a result of overuse, the nerves that run by way of may develop into infected and sore. Over time, this impacts posture and motion, resulting in joint ache and stiffness.

Frequent signs of RSI are:

• Ache
• Tenderness
• Stiffness
• Tingling or numbness
• Weak point
• Cramps

Repetitive stress accidents might be categorized into two sorts:

Kind 1

These are well-defined circumstances that may be identified simply, because of the availability of measurable proof. Examples of Kind 1 repetitive stress accidents embody:

• Tendonitis
  

  That is an irritation or irritation of a tendon – a thick twine that attaches bone to muscle. It might probably happen in virtually any space of the physique, however is mostly discovered on the base of the thumb, elbow, shoulder, hip and knee. Tendonitis of the shoulder is understood to happen amongst office-goers who carry heavy laptop computer baggage and stroll lengthy distances.

• Tenosynovitis
  

  One other sort of tendon harm that causes irritation of the tendon lining. Signs embody joint stiffness and swelling of the affected space.

• Bursitis
  

  Small fluid-filled sacs referred to as bursae cushion the bones, tendons, and muscle tissues close to the joints. Bursitis happens when bursae develop into infected. Frequent signs embody ache, tenderness and decreased vary of movement over the affected space.

Kind 2

Also referred to as Diffuse RSI or non-specific ache syndrome, these are limb problems which are harder to diagnose and deal with, as they don’t present clear measurable proof corresponding to swelling, deformation, dysfunction, and so forth.

How can one keep away from repetitive stress harm?

Poor posture, poor train method and overuse are the three foremost causes of repetitive stress accidents, so the following pointers will help stop it:

• Preserve a impartial physique place (a posture during which your joints are naturally aligned). Maintain your head degree, ahead dealing with and in keeping with the torso. Place your ft flat on the ground or a footrest. Calm down your shoulders and let your arms grasp down.

• Be certain that your workstation is ergonomically sound (see picture beneath).

• When seated, attempt to keep good posture. Your head and again ought to type a straight line out of your ears to your pelvis.

• When typing, be sure that your wrists should not bent to at least one facet. Maintain them pointing in a straight line together with your forearm.

• Take common breaks from repetitive duties.

• Make it some extent to stand up as soon as each hour. Stroll round, stretching your arms and wrists, and likewise straighten your fingers.

• Carry out muscle-relaxing respiratory strategies corresponding to pranayam at your desk each couple of hours.

• Do ample warm-up and cool-down routines once you exercise. That is very important to take care of tendon and bursae well being over time.

Attempt these workouts to forestall RSI

Again stretch

• Sit on the sting of your chair, ft flat on the ground.
• Lean over until your chest touches your knees.
• Let your arms dangle to the ground and calm down your neck.

Cross your arms

• Lengthen one arm straight out in entrance of you.
• With the opposite hand, seize the elbow of the outstretched arm and pull in the direction of your chest.
• Repeat with the opposite arm.

Twist your torso

• Sit up and inhale.
• Exhale, flip to the appropriate and seize the again of the chair together with your proper hand and the arm of the chair together with your left hand.
• Repeat with different facet.

Leg stretches

• Sit down together with your again straight.
• Maintain the seat of your chair, and prolong legs straight out in entrance of you till they’re parallel with the ground.
• Level and flex your toes 5 instances.

Sit and stand

• Get up and sit again down in your chair with out utilizing your fingers.

Prevention is best than remedy. Join with our Coaches to get your well being on observe. 

Along with doing her Grasp’s in Physiotherapy from Oxford Faculty, Bangalore, Meenakshi has completed her MD in Different Medication too. She can be a Licensed Childbirth Educator, a Pre and Postnatal Health Knowledgeable and an ACSM Well being and Health Specialist. Meenakshi attributes most life-style problems to in the present day’s sedentary way of life. She has at all times shared HealthifyMe’s imaginative and prescient of incorporating wholesome habits into a person’s current life-style. “Don’t consider weight loss program and train as sacrifice, make it a behavior and revel in it as an alternative,” she says, recommending small adjustments to ease the thoughts and physique in the direction of a extra healthful life.