easyDSE
easyDSE

Introduction

“As many of us spend more and more time in front of computers, the chances of developing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) increase. For some people, the pain of RSI is so great that it prevents them from working at all. However, it doesn't develop overnight, so by always remembering that prevention is better than a cure, problems can often be avoided in the first place.” Dr Rob hicks, Medical adviser to the BBC

It is a fact that poor work design may result in a physical misfit between workers and the tasks they are required to carryout.  This may result in the development of Work-related Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (WMSDs).  Throughout the remainder of this document, we will refer to WMSDs and similar conditions under the broad term “RSI” because it is in popular usage and generally recognised.

RSI is not a new phenomenon – in 1713 Ramazinni an Italian doctor generally regarded as the father of occupational medicine, was the first to describe writer’s cramp in scribes who spent all day rewriting books.   He noted that the “incessant driving of the pen over paper causes intense fatigue of the hand and the whole arm because of the continuous strain of the muscles and tendons”. 

In the 19th century the condition was recorded amongst artists, musicians, seamstresses, milkmaids and smiths.  A number of terms were developed to describe theses conditions including telegraphist’s cramp, cotton-twisters hand, upholsterer’s hand and more recently terms such as pizza-cutters wrist, texters-thumb and Nintendonitis.

 

Test Yourself

Take a one-kilogram bag of sugar and hold it out at arms length in front of your face.  Initially this feels easy, but soon you will start to feel an ache in your arm muscles.
The ache starts because the constant contraction of the muscle reduces the blood flow through the muscles (think of squeezing water out of a sponge), the muscles are starved of oxygen and start to hurt.
Now repeat the exercise, but continue to hold the weight for longer – not surprisingly the pain will get worse, but most importantly it will take longer for the ache to resolve.

When working with DSE at a sub-optimal workstation, the same effect takes place such as in the arms, shoulders, back, legs and neck. 

 

Interesting News Articles about RSI

 

 
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