RSI: A pain for office workers
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) cost UK business £300 million every year. Yet, as Marc Beishon finds out, RSI is easily prevented, and the measures required more than pay for themselves.
News that mobile gadget lovers are suffering from ‘text message finger’ may raise a smile, but RSI is a serious complaint. Repetitive strain injuries (although health professionals now prefer ‘work related upper limb disorders’ or WRULDs) can affect anyone who works with computers.
With keyboards and keypads everywhere these days, RSI is becoming more of a problem. Did you know that more than 370,000 people report they are affected by RSI in the UK, according to the Charted Society of Physiotherapists; and the European Trade Union Federation claims that nearly a third of Europe’s workers suffer from RSI?
The problem is that RSI conditions tend to build up slowly over time. If you get tingling and stiffness in your arms or fingers, this may indicate you’re suffering from RSI. Don’t wait until more severe symptoms manifest themselves before tackling it.
Professor Peter Buckle of the Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics, University of Surrey, says new working practices are contributing to the problem: “People using notebooks as desktop replacements should use a stand with separate keyboard and mouse. Otherwise you sit scrunched up and get neck and arm problems.”
Top tips to reduce the chances of RSI
| • | Get an external mouse. Notebook users who have an external mouse experience less pain than those using the notebook’s own pointer. |
| • | If you’ve never been taught to type, then it makes sense to learn. ‘Two finger’ typing tends to lead to more RSI symptoms. |
| • | Learning keyboard shortcuts for applications can cut down on mouse movements. |
| • | Keyboards can be split so that each half accommodates the natural posture of each arm better. This is in contrast to straight keyboards, which make you modify your posture to fit the keyboard design. |
| • | Check out your mouse. One of the key factors that influence subjective mouse comfort is contact pressure on the hand. An ergonomic mouse means that a large proportion of your hand covers it in an even, distributed manner. |
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There is a wide range of ergonomic products available, as well as occupational health specialists to help with training. The training is an essential component. Professor Buckle says: “We have really sophisticated mice now, but no one gets taught how to use them.”
Microsoft led the way in ergonomic design, having introduced the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard in 1994, and more recently the Natural Wireless Mouse 6000.
Dr Dan Odell, a Microsoft Ergonomist, says: “The average desktop computer worker spends almost six hours a day on the computer. When you’re spending that much time on a computer, any misalignment or discomfort can really add up to a big problem.”
Try this on your bosses and see what they say: the cost of untreated RSI to businesses is estimated at nearly £300 million a year. The price of an ergonomic keyboard, mouse and basic wellbeing training for one employee can be less than a single sick-day. It’s a no-brainer - these simple precautions make clear financial sense.
And as for ‘text message finger’, one enterprising spa hotel in the US is offering a ‘BlackBerry balm hand massage’ - now that’s something to text home about.