Everyone has their own routines. This can refer to what time you wake up, what you have for lunch, or certain physical activities you perform. And while routine is good, constantly repeating certain movements during exercise or work can begin to take a toll on your body over time. We’re talking about repetitive stress injuries.
A repetitive stress injury (RSI), also known as repetitive strain injury, can occur as a result of gradual damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves that build up over time from repetitive motions. RSIs are very common for adults in the US. They can be caused by many different kinds of activities ranging from athletic activities like swinging a golf club or tennis racquet to normal work duties such as using a computer or grasping tools. The pain and discomfort from an RSI can severely damage a person’s comfort and quality of life.
To help our readers avoid RSIs, the healthcare providers here at Family Practice Center have provided some simple tips to help prevent these injuries before they occur:
- Adjust your workstation so that it promotes good posture and comfort.
- Find a chair that provides support for your lower back. It can also help to keep your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest with your thighs parallel to the ground, and your hands, wrists, and forearms aligned.
- Make sure to take breaks from your computer while working. Take time every hour or so to get up and walk around. Stretching tight muscles and looking away from your computer to rest your eyes is also highly recommended. Working partially at a standing desk can help too.
- Exercising regularly can help strengthen your muscles and make them less susceptible to stress-related injuries. This can include regular stretching and aerobic exercises.
- Avoid sitting cross-legged for any length of time.
- When gripping a tool, tennis racquet, or golf club, try to relax your grip, as gripping tightly can put additional strain on your arm, elbow, and wrist.
- Using a headset telephone can help prevent certain phone-related aches and pains in the neck, shoulders, and arms.
We hope you found these tips helpful. It’s important to understand how even simple, repetitive behaviors can potentially impact your health and wellness over time. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare providers today, please contact Family Practice Center. We also recommend following us on Facebook and Twitter for additional health tips, news, and so much more.