How To Recover From RSI
RSI (repetitive strain injury) is incredibly common. Its symptoms include pain, numbness, movement difficulty and trembling (usually in the wrist, elbow or fingers) as a result of a repetitive action, usually sustained over many years. Most forms of RSI are developed through work-related activities such as typing or using machinery, but they can be developed through personal hobbies and activities such as tennis, playing guitar or even texting.
It’s possible to recover from RSI, but it isn’t easy. Just as it can take many years to develop these issues, it can also take years to reverse them (although generally not as long). If you’re currently suffering from any form of RSI, here are some of the measures that you can take.
Limit trigger activities
Rather obviously, you should try limit any activities that caused your RSI in the first place. This isn’t always possible – if you work as a writer, you may not be able to limit typing without getting a new job. However, you may be able to make small changes such as putting your keyboard at the right height and positioning it straight in front of you.
Use supports and ergonomic equipment
There are forms of support that you can buy to help reduce further damage caused by certain motions. Elbow braces for example are common in tennis and can prevent/reduce ‘tennis elbow’. Similarly you may be able to switch out tools for more ergonomic options. There are modern hedge trimmers for example that have better grips and reduced vibrations to prevent development of RSI.
Try different forms of pain relief
RSI can cause chronic pain and you can make things more comfortable and manageable by trying different pain relief options. As well as over-the-counter painkillers, there could be herbal options worth looking into such as turmeric extract and full spectrum CBD oil. You could also look into holistic treatments such as massages and acupuncture.
Try low-impact exercises
Whilst you may want to avoid certain exercises, it’s important to still do some physical activity. Allowing yourself to get out of shape could make the pain of RSI worse. Try low-impact exercises such as swimming or yoga which are unlikely to aggravate the injury.
See a physiotherapist
A physiotherapist may be able to help you with stretches and exercises specific to your injury. These could help to ease the pain and even reverse the injury. Physiotherapists may also be able to give massages to joints and muscles to help ease the pain.
Talk to your doctor about treatment options
There could be medical treatment options available such as steroid injections or even carpal tunnel release surgery that can help you recover from the injury fast. These options may only be available for those with severe RSI, but it’s still something worth discussing with your doctor.
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