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Repetitive Stress Injuries
It is believed that over-using the muscles and
tendons of the fi ngers, hands, arms and shoulders
may cause soreness, swelling, numbness,
weakness and extreme pain in those areas.
Certain repetitive hand activities may put you at a
high risk for developing a Repetitive 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
fi nger.
•
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 fi ngers, hands, wrists or arms.
The sooner RSI/CTS is diagnosed, the more
likely permanent nerve and muscle damage
can be prevented.
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