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Repetitive Stress Injuries
It is believed that overusing the muscles and
tendons of the fingers, hands, arms and
shoulders may cause soreness, swelling,
numbness, weakness and extreme pain in
those areas. Certain repetitive hand activites
may put you at a high risk for developing a
Repetitives Stress Injury (RSI). An extreme
RSI condition is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
(CTS), which could occur when your wrist
swells and squeezes a vital nerve that runs
through the area. Some believe that prolonged
exposure to vibration may contribute to CTS.
CTS can cause severe pain for months or even
years. To reduce the risk of RSI/CTS, do the
following:
• Avoid using your wrist in a bent,extended or
twisted position. Instead try to maintain a
straight wrist position. Also, when grasping,
use your whole hand, not just the thumb
and index finger.
• Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition
and rest your hands.
• Reduce the speed and force with which you
do the repetitive movement.
• Do exercise to strengthen the hand and
arm muscles.
• See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness
or pain in the fingers,hands, wrists or arms.
The sooner RSI/CTS is diagnosed, the
more likely permanent nerve and muscle
damage can be prevented.