Public Servant Lifestyle

Before you can begin to cope with a repetitive strain injury (RSI), you need to understand it, which is not easy, in view of the fact that no clear medical definition of it exists.

The following advice - from the RSI Association - covers most aspects of the disorder and offers suggestions about its management:

The first point to grasp, is that RSI is not the kind of injury we normally associate with accidents at work. Secondly it has to be understood that the term 'RSI' may be used very loosely, generally, and by medical practitioners.

Most frequently, it is regarded as an umbrella term, to cover specific conditions, such as tenosynovitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's syndrome and, possibly, other upper limb disorders which may, or may not, be work related.

Diagnosis

If, therefore, your doctor diagnoses 'RSI', you are entitled to ask if he or she can be more specific. Generally speaking, practitioners with experience in this field accept that modern technology, allied to other factors, has given rise to a type of disorder which may be a diffuse or non-specific form of RSI.

Be that as it may, the sure thing is that there is no single treatment for RSI; no quick fix, and no way of escaping the fact that recovery may be a lengthy process. Facing up to these inescapable facts is essential, before rehabilitation begins. You, at least, have the assurance that RSI is treatable, and recovery is possible, if you stick at it. Even if the recovery is not 100%, the disorder can be improved, and you can learn how to manage your symptoms.

Sympathetic

There are a growing number of medical practitioners, and therapists, who are familiar with RSI, and able to treat sufferers sympathetically, and helpfully. If you are not satisfied that your medical practitioner or therapist understands your condition, seek further advice from someone specialising in this field.

Nevertheless, recovery from RSI is not just a matter for medical practitioners. Others, relatives, employers and friends for instance, can contribute by their sympathetic understanding of your condition, and by their practical support and assistance.

Most importantly, however, you too have to play an active part towards rehabilitation.

Among the things you can do are:

1. Be positive and determined, towards the business of getting better. Resolve to be patient, and persevering, and to allow your injury all the time it needs for recovery.

2. Try to relax. Tension and stress are difficult to avoid, if you have RSI, but steps to deal with them are necessary, if they are not to aggravate your condition. How you relax is for you to decide, and a variety of aids are available. They include tapes and techniques such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, osteopathy, reflexology, the Alexander Technique, massage and Yoga. Find something that suits you, and stick with it, but remember that these methods are only part of the treatment you require, and are best regarded as supplementary, to that provided by your medical practitioner.

3. Pay attention to your posture, and keep your body movements as free as possible. Doing things in a fixed position, for too long, creates stress and pain and, possibly, headaches. Try to change positions and activity frequently, and avoid hunching of the shoulders. Keeping them in a relaxed position will help to cut down pain and tension.

4. Take regular exercise - but not too strenuously. You need to loosen up your joints, and to keep your muscles in good condition, but there is no form of exercise which suits everyone. It should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner, and may include stretching exercises, to increase your blood flow.

Jogging, walking and swimming may be helpful, but with regard to swimming, the crawl, and the occasional backstroke, are preferable to the breaststroke, which may place too much strain upon your neck and shoulders. (Proper breaststroke, putting your face in the water, should be OK). Remember to warm-up, before exercising, and do a few stretches first. Start gently, and don't overdo it.

5. Diet is important, in any kind of fitness regime. Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grain products, and go carefully with foods high in calories, refined carbohydrate and saturated fats.

6. Take steps to relieve your pain. Stretching exercises, and good posture, to which we have referred earlier, will help to do this, but drugs, as recommended by your doctor, may be necessary - particularly if you are losing sleep. Cold treatment - e.g. ice, wrapped in a cloth (never apply ice directly to your skin) or a packet of frozen peas, applied to the painful parts - may be effective, but not for more than five minutes at a time.

However, killing or reducing the pain does not, in itself, affect a cure. If you suffer from chronic pain, you may benefit from attending at one of the pain-management clinics, now to be found, in increasing numbers, in various parts of the country. Ask your doctor, or enquire at your local hospital.

7. Devise ways of carrying out every-day tasks that reduce the strain upon your body. Use whatever gadgets are available, to simplify household tasks, e.g. electric tin, or jar opener, and electric toothbrush. Try to avoid the heavier kinds of housework, such as vacuum cleaning, ironing, scrubbing, and polishing and, as far as possible, cut down upon the writing.

If you have to write, try using a thick-grip pen. A hands free telephone, or one with a headset, makes using the telephone a lot more comfortable. Take life more easily, and learn to pace yourself. Avoid punching, and extensive wrist movements. Sort out your priorities, and set yourself achievable objectives. Remember that the human body itself has considerable powers of recuperation - give it a chance.

8. Take advantage of local sources of help and advice over your medical, personal, financial or work-related problems from, for example, RSI Self Help Support Groups, the Disability Employment Adviser at your local job centre; Advice Service; Citizens Advice Bureaux; Law Centres; Community Health Councils; Disablement Associations; your MPE - and make use of national helplines (numbers in telephone directory).

In the early stages of RSI, to carry on working, under unchanged working conditions, with the help of painkillers, is highly dangerous. If, and when, you are ready to return to your former work, do so only if any faults in your workstation, or equipment, have been corrected, and ensure that you have regular breaks, or changes of activity.

Take things more easily, than in the past. It may be that it would be best to cut down the number of hours, performing the tasks which created the problem. There is little point in returning to the conditions which created your problems. Return to work, and to the tasks which caused the problem, should be gradual, and carefully monitored.

Information provided by the RSI Association - visit the website for more detailed information - including an excellent medical glossary of terms a series of downloadable facts sheets, the chance to sign-up for regular email updates, self-help/information pages and details for contacting local support groups. The Ergonomics Society website may also be useful.

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