It is also the long working hours at Indian workplaces that is a major causative factor for RSI, according to medical specialists. “Indians work 60-80 hours a week...while it is also a six-day week for most” compared with a five-day week in the West, says Dr Bhasin. The problem is exacerbated due to insufficient breaks from repetitive tasks, he adds.
Treatment
Typically, an effective RSI programme is aimed at getting the affected muscles to relax, and mobilizing neighbouring muscles and joints to create room for the nerves and blood vessels to pass through unhindered. Then the postural muscles are strengthened so that they do not fall back to compress the nerves and blood vessels. “When the RSI programme is properly structured, complete recovery is possible,” says Dr Sharan.
SYMPTOMS
• Pain
• Burning sensation
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Giddiness
• Stiffness
• Clumsiness
• Swelling
• Coldness
• Skin discolouration
•Constant need to stretch or massage one’s arms
TIPS TO PREVENT RSI
• If you work on a laptop regularly, use an external keyboard and mouse, placed just above the lap level. Also use a laptop stand or place the computer or laptop on books so that the screen is at eye level
• Keep both the keyboard and the mouse above lap level. The elbow should be tucked close to body and should make an angle of around 100 degrees. You could use a tray
• Lower the armrests to thigh level and do not rest the elbow on it while typing. If that is not possible, throw the armrests away
• Sit with the back supported on the chair’s backrest with the thighs sloping down slightly so that the hips are higher than the knees
• Keep the wrist unsupported while typing and don’t use gel pads
• Keep the chin tucked in so that the ears, shoulders, elbows and hips meet an imaginary straight line
Photos
Deepak Sharan conducting a test on a Sterling Commerce employee.
Exercise sessions at the Sterling Commerce office in Bangalore.
A physiotherapist shows an employee correct arm positions and posture.
Photographs by Hemant Mishra / Mint
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