Health at Work

Our tips for maintaining your Health at Work are outlined below.

Diagnosis & Symptoms

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is compression of the medial nerve as it passes through the wrist. It is often confused with Repetitive Strain Injuries. Symptoms include hand and wrist pain, numbness and as pins and needles along the middle of the hand. Shaking the hand will give some relief and restore normal feeling to the hand. While there is often no underlying cause associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it can be sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or hypothyroidism and can worsened if there is oedema during pregnancy.

It has been found that activities which require repeated use and extension of the wrist such as keyboard use can aggravate the condition. Computer-workers were found to be almost 9 times more likely to suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. While both men and women can suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, women aged between 30 and 50 years are more likely to suffer.

Non-prescription Treatments

Wearing a lightweight wrist splint, especially at night for a few weeks can often treat the problem.

Modifications of computer use and typing technique can be very effective. These should include using the correct typing technique. The wrists should not be bent but kept straight, during breaks the wrists should not be rested on the keyboard but by your side, and using light pressure and less keyboard strokes and mouse movements.

Some studies have found additional doses of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to be effective in certain cases.

Mild analgesics such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen can help relieve the pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

In severe cases your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids injections to be administered to the affected area.

For serious injury always consult your doctor or physiotherapist.

To find a Chartered Physiotherapist in your area check Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists - Find a Physio

Diagnosis & Symptoms

As early as in 1713, the Italian doctor Ramazzini in his examination of different trades identified that professional writers suffered from an excessive weariness of the whole right arm which would not respond to any medicines. This he considered was associated with highly repetitive work, prolonged static postures and high concentration levels.

Today, computer-users can suffer RSI of the hand and wrist, neck and shoulder. In addition, computer-workers were found to be almost 9 times more likely to suffer from Carpal tunnel syndrome, a syndrome, due to compression one of the nerves as it passes through the wrist.

US studies estimate that RSI costs US companies about $20 billion per annum and that 60% of all work-related injuries are due to repetitive strain injuries.

Susceptibility to repetitive strain injuries increases with age. However, women experience a higher incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and muscular pain in the neck and shoulder than men.

As its name would suggest Repetitive Strain Injuries are due to repeating the same movement causing damage to soft tissue muscles and tendons resulting in symptoms of stiffness, soreness, tingling, pain (including night-pain) and loss of strength and co-ordination of the affected area

RSI Risk Factors

• Poor Posture, with awkward postures more likely to cause problems
• Lack of work variety
• Insufficient rest and recovery period
• High concentration demands
• Localised mechanical stresses on tissues.
• Individual susceptibility

Preventative Measures

• Typing posture: sit straight rather than slouching. Regular slight changes to posture will prevent the body from stiffening up.
• Typing technique: wrists should not be bent but kept straight. When taking breaks do not rest wrists on the keyboard but by your side. Use light pressure and less keyboard strokes, likewise when using the mouse.
• Equipment setup: Computer monitors should be placed a minimum of 25 inches from the eye; tilting the top of the monitor slightly further from the eye than the bottom of the monitor. The monitor height should be comfortable.
• Larger font sizes: dark lettering and lighter backgrounds make it easier to view the monitor without straining the neck Take regular breaks to stretch tired muscles.

For serious injury always consult your doctor or physiotherapist.

To find a Chartered Physiotherapist in your area check Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists - Find a Physio