With the kind of world that we live in at present, most of our work environments require us to do repetitive manual tasks every day. As a result, many workers have an increased risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). In fact, RSI affects over 1.8 million workers each year. These injuries include conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis, and various forms of tendon and nerve damage.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 33% of all workplace or workers’ compensation claims are from repetitive motion injuries. It’s easy to think that only big accidents cause injuries at work, but sometimes the small, repeated actions we do every day can hurt us too.
An Orange County repetitive stress injury lawyer says that whether you are typing, lifting, climbing, or filing, pretty much any repetitive act on the job can result in your body wearing down and suffering a repetitive motion injury.
Let’s look at these accidents and learn how to spot them and what you can do to keep your health and your job safe.
Understanding Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive motions in the workplace have the potential of causing harm, but most of the time, the pain sets in late, and the workers claim that they had no clue of such injury.
RSIs occur when such motions are overused to the extent of causing injury to muscles, tendons, and nerves. This can range from a computer worker typing text to a person arranging products.
The more you do your work, the more the inflammation and pain intensify. Such pain greatly impacts a person’s productivity and general well-being.
You should therefore understand that the further you develop RSI, the worse it will become for you.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
Find out what all the typical RSI symptoms are before you let it take over. If you feel pain, throbbing or numbness in your hands, wrists, or arms, don’t ignore them. These are often your body’s last efforts to call for help.
The locations could also become stiff and swollen, thereby crippling range-of-motion abilities. Another indicator is muscle fatigue, which could indicate overuse.
If you notice discomfort beginning and ending with working hours, it is time to take a rest. Never disregard these obvious warnings, as they are the first indicators of advancing injuries like RSI or a developing neck and back injury. Listen to your body.
According to neck and back injury attorney Paul J. Cox, when either your neck or back is damaged, the results can have long-lasting and far-reaching implications for victims and their families.
Early detection of the warning signs and prompt action can save your life by guaranteeing a lifetime of good health or, in the short term, allowing you to work.
Identifying Risk Factors in the Workplace
Neglecting the early warning signs of repetitive stress injuries may cause the development of more serious problems in the future. For this reason, risk factors should be identified at your workplace.
Assess your work environment. Are your tools ergonomic? Poorly designed tools can increase strain on your body. Assess your work habits. Do you often perform repetitive motions without breaks? Such behaviors can elevate your risk.
Watch your posture. Slouching or being in an awkward position can make you feel worse. Think about your workload. Too much work can make you tired and raise your risk of getting hurt.
Talk to the people you work with. Talking about your past can help you find risk factors that you both face and make a safe space where you can focus on staying safe.
Preventive Measures to Reduce Injury Risk
To really lower the chance of repetitive stress injuries, people need to make safety measures a normal part of their lives.
Good posture when working is essential; the workstation must be ergonomically set up. There should be periodic breaks for stretching and walking around to release muscle tension.
The exercises should include core strengthening and relaxation. Other solutions include wrist supports and ergonomic keyboards that reduce strain while typing.
If there is any discomfort or fatigue, the activity must be altered accordingly. Also, mindfully try to reduce overexertion.
When to Seek Professional Help
Persistent discomfort or pain that doesn’t improve with rest and self-care may start once your preventive measures reach maximum effort to keep it at bay.
Swelling, numbness, and weakness in your hands, arms, or back are all signs that you need to see a doctor right away. Do not ignore these signs that your body is telling you. A doctor or nurse will check on you, fix you and help you recover.
Your body is the fundamental instrument you use to work and do your everyday tasks. It is only natural to make sure you keep it in its best working condition. If you feel pain that gets in the way of your life, you must get it tested right away. Early detection keeps the damage from getting worse so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
HedgeThink.com is the fund industry’s leading news, research and analysis source for individual and institutional accredited investors and professionals
