People may assume that jobs many consider to be low risk, such as working in an office, are perfectly safe. However, you can be injured in any workplace setting, from industries known to be dangerous, such as construction, to jobs requiring little physical activity. Repetitive motion injuries are common throughout a range of industries in New York and across the country, but there are numerous things you can do to reduce your risk of developing one of these conditions.
What exactly is a repetitive motion injury, you may wonder? According to Healthline, repetitive motion or repetitive strain injuries, also known as RSIs, can develop after making certain movements over and over during an extended period. Typists, for example, can end up suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome from using a computer keyboard and mouse. Assembly line workers, restaurant servers and athletes are also among those likely to develop an RSI.
Many doctors recommend practicing the RICE method at home to relieve the pain, stiffness and numbness associated with repetitive motion injuries. This stands for “rest, ice, compression and elevation.” These injuries may also be treated with stabilizing the affected body part, physical therapy exercises, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections and surgery. However, you may try to avoid getting a repetitive strain injury by using ergonomically developed equipment, taking breaks from repetitive motions, doing stretching exercises and strengthening the muscles involved.
Like other work-related injuries and illnesses, repetitive motion injuries may be covered by workers’ compensation. Since this information is meant to educate you, the content in this post should not be substituted for legal advice.