KARACHI, May 8: Doctors at a seminar on “repetitive strain injury” have advized the people in high risk groups to seek an early treatment of the problem to avoid a permanent discomfort.
They informed that computer operators, musicians, athletes, house-wives and construction workers who face such sorts of problems should seek treatment of their problem without any delay.
They are prone to the problem in view of the peculiar nature of their job which places repetitive and forceful stress on specific parts of their bodies.
Most of the primary care physicians can treat RSI or would refer them to a specialist if they are unable to treat a certain case, they said.
The seminar was organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation on Thursday in Karachi with the objective of creating consciousness among masses about rising cases of stress which has been affecting a specific segment of the population in view of lack of precaution observed by them during fulfilment of their assigned task.
Dr. Shaukat Ali, Head of Neurology Department, Jinnah Post- Graduate Medical Centre, in his presentation said that there are steps we can observe to help prevent RSI, including simple exercises. Swimming and walking reduce the risk of RSI and may help keep current conditions from escalating.
Massage therapy, he said, was a relaxing way to reduce strain on muscles and preventing existing discomfort from turning into debilitating chronic pain.
Healthcare providers recommend stretching prior to the activity, whether it is work or play”.
He said that RSI is a treatable condition. However it is important to remember that once a case of RSI becomes too serious, it may not be curable. Treatment may be able to reduce the symptoms, but they would not eliminate them.
Suggesting measures for preventing RSI, he said altering a daily work routine, maintaining correct posture and taking frequent breaks reduces the risk of RSI.
“With proper exercise and stretches, pain could be prevented.
For computer users, he suggested using voice recognition software, taking regular breaks as simple as removing their hands from the keyboard and letting arms drop to the sides. Every half an hour, they should get up from their desks and stretch to loosen their neck and shoulder muscles.
Dr. Rahman Baig, Head of Orthopaedics Department, Aga Khan University, said that RSI produces stress and cumulative effect and causes harm to different parts of the body involved in sustained and rigorous physical work.
In case of workers, it is classified as Industrial or Professional injury.
He said that common injuries of RSI are low back pain which is caused to computer workers, mainly owing to poor postures in office chairs for prolonged period of time.
Talking about treatment, he said physiotherapy is the most effective mode besides proper sleeping mattress, and avoiding sleeping on floors or hard bed and daily walking and exercise are the best remedy to reduce intensity of the problem.
In the context of prevention of low back pain, he said office chair be cushioned, sitting upright, keeping desk at above umbilicus level, avoiding twist to reach telephone would help check intensity of the problem phones.
Similarly, he said, that neckpain is caused by tension at workplace, bad posture during work viz bending over at desk constantly for long hours and low desk and higher chair are some of the major reasons.
“The treatment includes physiotherapy, exercise, proper desk, avoiding tension and using collar are some of the remedies”.
Dr. Shabbir Memon, Head of Orthopaedics, Dept, Civil Hospital Karachi, said more and more work, education and recreation involving computers are some of the most common causes of RSI to the hands, arms, neck and back.
“It is indeed a very serious and painful condition which is easier to prevent than cure. It can occur even in young physically fit individuals and the best and the ideal thing is to avoid that profession as much as possible to prevent RSI”.
Earlier, Samina Ishaq, Director of the PPF, explained objective of holding the seminar.—PPI
