at is the RSI?
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) or repetitive strain injury (RSI) refers to disorders or injuries that have the ability of affecting an individual’s musculoskeletal or movement system. Most of the movement systems that are affected include tendons, blood vessels, discs, nerves, tendons, muscles, and so on (Goossens 2001).
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What are the symptoms?
Some of the main symptoms that are associated with this disorder include stiff joints, recurrent pains, dull aches, and swellings.
How it is developed?
According to medical research, Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) or RSI mainly evolves from the interactions of various physical factors with psychosocial, ergonomic, as well as occupational factors. These causes are explained below;
Biomechanical - Research indicates that MDSs or RSI can arise as a result of biomechanical load that is basically the force that needs to be applied to execute tasks, its duration, as well as the rate at which the job is performed. Some of the tasks involving heavy loads can lead to acute injuries, although the majority of the occupational-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) results from repetitive motions or maintaining static position. Even those tasks that do not require a lot of force have the ability of causing muscle injuries in case such an activity is repetitive (Magee et al 706). “Some individual indicates that a combination of physical factors, particularly repetitiveness and forcefulness, is more addictive in increasing the risk of peripheral neuropathy and muscolotendinous disorders of the upper limb” (David et al 707).
This implies that some of the RSI factors involve executing various tasks using heavy tasks repetitively or just maintaining non-neutral posture.
Psychosocial _ according to medical research, psychosocial have been considered as being one of the main factors causing the majority of the MDSs or RSI. Some of the theories that have been advanced for these causal relationships include increased fluid and blood pressure, muscle tension, reduction of pain sensitivity, reduction of developmental functions, pupil dilation, and so on. “these factors are associated with levels of workplace stress, such as job content and demand, job control, and social support” (David et al 707).
Despite that medical research findings have been perceived to be contradictory at this point, the majority of the workplace stressors have been found to be linked with RSI in working environment including low social support, high job demands, as well as overall job strain (Davies et al 70). The same research has constantly recognized some causal association between MDSs and job dissatisfaction. For instance, the improvement of job satisfaction has the ability of reducing at least 17-67 percent of the job-related back disorders. In return, improving job control has the potential of reducing 37-84 percent of job-related wrist disorders.
Occupational _ due to the fact that always employees straggles to retain the same posture during long working days for years, some of the natural postures, for example standing, can induce RSIs such low back pain. Despite that, some the natural posture such as tension or twisting in the upper body have been perceived to some factors contributing to the development of this disorder (Magee et al 706). Ideally, this is because of the unnatural biomechanical load of these postures. Clinically, posture has been considered as being the main contributor to MSDs or RSIs of the back, shoulder, and neck.
On the other hand, repetitive motion has been regarded as being risk factor for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) or RSI of occupational origin. The reason for that is because employees have the ability of performing the same movement repetitively for long time. In return, this wears muscles and joint involved in executing the task. For instance, the majority of the employees who does repetitive motions at a higher rate with less recovery time and employees that have little control over the timing of the motions also have a higher chance of developing this disorder (Goossens 2003). Furthermore, the force that is required to execute activities is also linked with higher RSI risks in employees. The reason for that is because motions that extra force can fatigue an individual’s muscles faster hence resulting to pain and/or injury. Conversely, the general exposure to various vibration, for instance in construction workers or truck drivers, and extreme cold or hot temperatures can negatively impact their ability to judge strength and force, hence resulting to MSDs development.
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How computers affect the users
Computer and internet use has been increased recently over the past decades and has been linked with various musculoskeletal disorders. Research indicates that the general advancement in technology as well as the affordable prices of computers is what has the ability of increasing the development of this disorder in the near future. The continued use of VDTs (video display terminals) is also another factor that have been noted to have the ability of inducing various health issues for the majority of workers using them. Furthermore, ergonomics for computers that are designed poorly is also another contributing factor causing visual and musculoskeletal problems.
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Who is affected mostly?
Medical research indicates that the type of MSDs that a person suffers from varies from one person to another. Medically, gender has been regarded as being one of the contributing factors with a higher rate in female as compared to male. Conversely, overweight or obese individuals also have been noted to have high chances of developing some types of MSDs, particularly lower back (Goossens 2003). “Musculoskeletal system problems caused by computer usage are affected by physical factors such as gender and age” (Lakhwinder et al., 218).
How to prevent it _ exercises and ergonomic issues
Exercise _ according to the modern research, the general prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) mainly depends on the identification of various risk factors, either through measurement of posture, self-report, or job observation that could result to MSDs. In most cases, the main target for preventing this disorder is mainly an individual’s workplace. The reason for that is because it is the one that can assist in identifying the rates of this disease as well as the general exposure to various perilous conditions (Freeman et al 157).
Furthermore, the majority of individuals who are at risk of developing this disorder can easily be identified which in return assist in modifying their psychosocial and physical environment. It then implies that some of the approaches to its prevention take into account the need of matching the physical abilities of a person to tasks, increasing capabilities, altering the manner in which tasks are performed, and so on. On the same note, workers should also have the ability of utilizing administrative controls and engineering controls to aid in preventing injuries happening on the work. Likewise, the general implementations of engineering controls is one of the processes aimed at restructuring the working place weaknesses, strengths, as well as the requirements of the employees (Davies et al 70).
This can take into account the alterations of workstation layout to the extent of making it more efficient, relocating necessary tools and equipment, minimizing bending over, and so on. Workers should also have the ability of utilizing administrative controls, for instance, minimizing the number of working hours, reducing overtime, or incorporating more breaks during the night or day shifts. The idea for that is to aid in reducing the exposure time for each employee. “In the case of many common musculoskeletal disorders, in which the degree of disability appears to be consistent with the nature and the extent of the lesion, physical treatment will constitute a major component of the therapeutic program” (Darlene & Randolph 102).
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Ergonomics _ according to medical research, it is important for victims to uses approved ergonomics including matching the physical potential of employees with the right work and designing and redesigning various equipment that are correct for the job. Training, heavy lifting of loads, and reporting early symptoms of injury are some of the means that have been recommended as having the ability of preventing MSDs (Hughes & Ferrett 227). The management authority of the organization should also have the ability of providing support to workers so as to assist in preventing this disorder in working environment. This will have to take into account engaging workers in assessing, planning, as well as developing procedural standards that support accurate ergonomics as well as preventing injuries (Magee et al 707).
From the medical perspective, maintaining neutral posture is also one of ergonomic principles that aid in ensuring that muscles remain in their normal length as well as generating required force. This will have to take into account the need of minimizing stress and possible damage to nerves, bones, muscles, and tendons. As a result of that, in everyday life or in working environment, it is important for a person to ensure that joints and muscles have maintained a neutral position (Freeman et al 157). “Companies that implement an ergonomics program achieve solutions that fit the work to the worker” (Wertz & James 217).
Nonetheless, in order to be in the position of preventing finger, wrist, and hand injuries, it is important for a person to understand to use power grips, pinch grips outside their working places. Because of that, the choice of the tools and equipment to be used ought to be matched with proper grip as well as being conducive in maintaining neutral postures. It is vital for workers to take into account reducing the frequency and the weight to be lifted and reducing the distance between the load and the body (Freeman et al 157). The reason for that is because it the one that has the ability of reducing the torque force experienced for individuals and employees doing repetitive load lifting. It is also important to determine the shape of the object to be lifted, especially by workers. Ideally, objects that are easier to access lift, or grip presents little stress on the back and spine muscles as compared to loads that are difficult to access and awkwardly shaped (Hughes & Ferrett 227).
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Work cited
Darlene, H & Randolph M. K. Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders: Physical Therapy Principles and Methods: Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2006. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Print
David, J. M James, E. Z, & William, S. Q. Pathology and Intervention in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - E-Book: Musculoskeletal rehabilitation series. 2008. Elsevier Health Sciences
Davies, Richard, Hazel Everitt, and Chantal Simon. Musculoskeletal Problems. Oxford [u.a.: Oxford Univ. Press, 2006. Print.
Freeman, Jean'e E, and Sandra K. Anderson. Career Longevity: The Bodywork Practitioner's Guide to Wellness & Body Mechanics. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 2012. Internet resource.
Goossens, Richard H. M. Advances in Social and Occupational Ergonomics: Proceedings of the Ahfe 2018 International Conference on Social and Occupational Ergonomics, July 21-25, 2018, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, Usa. , 2019. Internet resource.
Hughes, P & Ferrett, E. International Health and Safety at Work: The Handbook for the NEBOSH International General Certificate.2013. Routledge Print
Lakhwinder, P.S, Sarbjit, S & Arvind, B. Humanizing work and work Environment (HWWE 2016). 2018. GIAP Journals
Magee, David J, James E. Zachazewski, and William S. Quillen. Pathology and Intervention in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - E-Book. , 2008. Print.
Wertz, K & James J. B. Managing Workers' Compensation: A Guide to Injury Reduction and Effective Claim Management Occupational Safety & Health Guide Series. 2000. CRC Press
