If you notice strange tingling or aching sensations emerging in your upper body, you could be developing a repetitive strain injury. Discover the most common causes of this type of injuries and how you can find relief.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) refers to a number of soft tissue injuries caused by overuse.  RSI can strike in your neck, upper and lower back, chest, shoulders, arms and hands.

Although RSI injuries can initially only cause you mild discomfort, they can quickly cripple you in pain and even prevent you from working or leading your normal life. So, early diagnosis and RSI treatment is crucial when managing these types of injuries.

How to Identify RSI – the Symptoms

The first signs of RSI often manifest as a tingling or aching sensations. These are some other key RSI symptoms to be aware of:

  • Burning, aching or shooting pain
  • Shaking, clumsiness or numbness
  • Excessive fatigue or muscle weakness
  • Difficultly perform simple tasks like opening doors, chopping vegetables, turning a tap or typing
  • Overly cold hands, particularly the fingertips
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The Eight Most Common Causes of RSI

RSI can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  1. Repetitive movements over an extended period of time
  2. Working with equipment that doesn’t properly fit your body
  3. Working too fast
  4. Lack of recovery breaks
  5. Holding positions for an extended period of time
  6. Lack of safety and ergonomics training
  7. Lack of variety in work tasks
  8. Working in overly cold conditions

Some of the industries in which people have reported RSI injuries include:

  • Mechanics
  • Fishing
  • Mining
  • Hospitality
  • Transport
  • Health care
  • Trades
  •  Manufacturing
  • Administration
  • Cleaning
  • IT
  • Journalism
  • Entertainment, especially musicians

Plus, the surge of young people spending hours on computers, mobile devices and gaming consoles is increasing the risk of RSI is growing

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How to Prevent and Treat RSI

If you think you may be on the brink of developing a painful RSI your first point of call should be a qualified physician. They can help you find the root cause of your injury and recommend effective treatment advice.

If you already know what activity is causing you pain, do your best to reduce the amount of time you spend doing it. Alternatively, investigate ways to can change the way you do the offending activity. 

If your RSI is caused by a work activity, speak to your employer. It might be possible to make changes that can help relieve your RSI symptoms. Even small changes can make a huge difference. Also, always remember to take regular breaks and stretch out any tight muscles. 

If your RSI is a result of playing too much tennis or golf and you now have tennis or golfer’s elbow, consider wearing a specifically designed supportive strap like Elastoplast’s Tennis Elbow Support.

Alternatively, you can apply Elastoplast’s Kinesio Tape for pain relief and extra stability. Follow this simple technique:

  1. Place one end of the tape at the midpoint of the lower arm
  2. Place the tape around the elbow following the direction of the picture
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If your RSI symptoms continue, despite modifying offending activities, consult a qualified physician.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist contact your healthcare practitioner.

For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on anz.consumerservices@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products’ packages.

Although compiled with great care, please note that the tips and advice given on this website by no means substitute medical advice and treatment. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult a doctor and follow medical advice regardless of what you have learned on this website. Always read carefully and follow the instructions for use or the leaflets of our products. For further information about our products, please contact us here.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.