Common problems for all of us... You may not realize how your sitting position injures you. An Osteopath is the best treatment, along with exercise therapies to reduce RSI pain and weakness.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), defines RSI as common injuries that mainly affect the upper body because of the nature of the workplace: desk jobs and repetitive movements. RSI can lead to overuse injuries such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Desk bound workers are the greatest at-risk population of RSI. This is so because of the repetitive manual activities such as typing and being in awkward positions like telephone work, both done without rest. An additional cause is stress leading to poor posture and muscle tightness.
Some of the signs and symptoms of RSI consist of:
· Numbness
· Tingling
· Weakness
· lack of endurance
· tightness
· cramping
· limited movement and pain.
*RSI begins as a minor problem, appearing only when doing the repeated or awkward task, but over time it is always present leading to the inability to work.
Most of the time RSI can be caused by poor and awkward work postures leading to tight neck, shoulders, upper back, arms and hands. Poor posture leads to poor bio-mechanics of
the body, leading to poor nerve and blood supply to the arms and hands.
Osteopathic treatment can help with RSI by releasing the muscles and bones (joints and spine) that compromise the nerve and blood vessel pathways in the neck and shoulders. Osteopathic techniques help decrease the symptoms in the short term, and helps restore proper bio-mechanics in the long term.
Osteopathic treatment encourages proper functioning of the neck and shoulder and improved circulation of these areas, because of its whole-body and gentle approach.
In short, Osteopathy seeks to restore normal function and positioning of the body, that will help relieve the symptoms of RSI. Along with self-help ideas which includes maintaining good posture, taking breaks, doing stretches, exercising, ergonomically setting your work space and rest, these support the osteopathic treatment ensuring that the body stays loose and balanced. Osteopathy is a natural hands on treatment that uses the body’s own self-healing system to recover from RSI and get patients back into their work and life activities.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) (2019). Prevent the Pain of Repetitive Strain Injuries. Retrieved November 17, 2019, from https://www.ccohs.ca/products/posters/rsi/