Repetitive Strain Injury
... decide whether or not compensation should be considered if these injuries can’t be proven work related. “Ergonomics study human capabilities in relationship to work demands.”# Ergonomists work to create ways of reducing problematic strains in the wok place that cause injuries. A simple example is posture. By controlling our posture we can easily balance our muscular forces to provide less of a strain on other parts of our body.# Repetitive Strain Injury and the Health and Safety Board Causes and Treatments There are many controversies associated with repetitive strain injuries. Some believe repetitive strain injury is not associated with employment because it can’t be proven. Others believe that their employment has caused this disease and they deserve compensation for the repetitive performance. This sounds very easily discussed but many things have to be considered. For example, physical fitness, muscle, tension, stress, work hours, work habits, lack of breaks, ergonomics and posture all have to be considered and taken into account for the employee and employers sake.# It’s important to recognize all the variables when dealing with repetitive strain injury. Because the individuals’ lives can be juristically different, we need to assess each work environment independently to know the liability involved and how ergonomics can establish some ways of preventing repetitive injuries. Some of the treatments available for repetitive strain injuries start with simple prescriptions and can be as serious as operations and therapy. The first step to treatment is prescriptions of pain relieving medications, a wrist brace, ice and rest.# If further complications occur, your doctor may refer you to a specialist or surgeon. There is a possibility of surgery. Many ways of healing or preventing repetitive strain injury is through multiple exercises therapy and treatments to build muscles, flexibility and strength. One example is using a Chinese ball. By squeezing this ball regularly it builds strength in your hand and increases vitality. This can help release tense muscles or build up strength in the muscles to prevent soreness.# Repetitive strain injuries can be traced by four general conditions. Unnatural joint or position or posture, force application to hinge joints, activity repetition and pre-existing conditions.# Unnatural joint position or posture increases the risk of repetitive strain injuries by forcing the joint to work unnaturally. The predominant method of control involves keeping the joint in their natural position or aligned with the connecting limb.# Force application to hinge joint increases repetitive strain injuries by distributing uneven load to a particular joint or part of a joint causing the cartilage to be stressed.# Activity repetition involves tasks that use hand tools such as hammer or keyboard. These cause repetitive flexing of the finger and wrists. The keyboard causes low impacts to the fingers but medium impact to the wrist were most of the problems occur. The hammer applies forces on a high impact load to the wrist, which then causes increased shock affect that increases tissue damage.# Pre-existing conditions such as arthritis or a circulation disorder can be aggravated by stress and tension associated with repetitive strain. Hammering or Keyboarding can be good examples that can increase the pain associated with these preexisting conditions. For this reason it is very difficult to prove that repetitive strain injury is strictly work related. If the joints are weak or can’t bare a lot of stress minimal pressure can activate this disease. Some questions that you can ask to see if your job put you at risk of repetitive strain injury include: “Do you spend a large amount of time in continuous computer use or other repetitive actions?” “Do you take frequent breaks to stretch?” “Is your workstation poorly designed from a ergonomic standpoint?” “Do you use the computer but have poor typing skills?”# Keeping these questions in mind can help prevent repetitive strain injury by establishing good working habits. Some of the symptoms associated with repetitive strain injury include: Tightness, stiffness, soreness or discomfort to the hands, wrists, fingers, forearms and elbows. Tingling, coldness or numbness in the hands. Uneasiness, pain or tension that keeps you from sleeping at night. Pain in the neck, shoulders, or upper back due to posture strains. Loss or strength or coordination in hands.# Through this section we identified the cause and effects of repetitive strain injury in the work force. We’ve been able to identify the association in the work place and the issues involving. We’ve also been able to identify some treatment processes and how to know if you have repetitive strain injury and if it is work related. We’re now going to concl...