Text Message Injury/Repetitve Strain Injury (our grateful thanks to the charity RSI action for the support information below)
Repetitive action is when you do the same movement over and over again, for long periods of time, when it causes first of all strain, and then injury. Which is why we call it 'Repetitive Strain Injury'.
It is similar to a sports injury, so if for instance, while running and your leg was sprained, you wouldn’t run on it until it was better and the pain went away, and the muscles had recovered from the injury.
Similar things can happen with your hands and arms, so be careful not to over use them in the same old way if they feel “sprained” it is important to rest them and seek treatment.
Textiing on mobile phones, using computers with a keyboard and mouse and playing on games consoles, can cause repetitive strain injuries.
The combination of repetitive movements, poor posture, and over use of mobile phones, omputers and games consoles without taking rest breaks, can cause injury to the nerves, muscles and tendons, in the fingers, hands, wrists, arms, elbows, shoulders, and neck, which if ignored, may lead to long-term damage.
Children as young as seven have been known to develop Diffuse RSI. Some students taking GCSEs and A-levels cannot write their own exam papers due to RSI, and have to rely upon dictating answers to teachers. It is quite common for students at university to find that writing their dissertation results in chronic RSI.Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a general term covering a variety of medical conditions which happen due to over-strain, such as writer’s cramp or tendonitis.
Bad habits in the way you sit, use or misuse your body, or don’t exercise, can cause problems, as you get older. Be aware and listen to what your body is saying – a whisper is a warning to take care – a shout is a definite cry for help because of damage done already.
Never, ever, ignore these symptoms as long-term damage can happen. Be very aware of stiffness, sharp pain or dull ache, numbness or tingling, or poor grip, which may come on after a heavy session on the computer using either the keyboard or the mouse, or when using a pen, or with thumb movements when using a Games Console, or when texting on a mobile phone.
Should you feel any of these symptoms
Remember – prevention is better than cure !
Try to take breaks between hand activities, of a few minutes each half-hour or ten minutes each hour. Massage your hands and arms to restore the circulation and refresh the muscles and tendons. Flex your fingers, and stretch your arms out to the side, above your head, then to your sides, keeping your spine straight. This applies at home or at school – if possible.
Checklist for Mobile Phones
Checklist at the Computer
Checklist for Games Consoles
Listen to this weeks radio report
All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.