As a worker, you face many obvious risks every day. But there are some risks that take up less space. You may end up paying less attention to them. In fact, you may not even know they exist.
Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are among these risks. While you may have heard of them before, you might not know exactly how damaging they often are. You might not even know that you are currently at risk.
Jobs that may result in RSIs
Healthline examines RSIs and how they come about. First, any worker at all likely has at least some risk of suffering from an RSI at some point in their career. After all, RSIs happen due to repetitive motion. Nearly every job has some sort of repetitive task involved. For example, receptionists often type and use the phone all day. Cashiers continually ring up objects on their register. Car mechanics use the same tools day in and out.
If you do the same motion too often, the soft tissue in the area may swell. Most often, this includes your muscles or tendons. Swelling can damage the tissue itself. It can also crowd your nerves and blood vessels. This causes circulation issues and nerve damage. Many RSI sufferers first notice their injury due to the pain, tingling or numbness that accompanies nerve damage.
When do RSIs form?
The time it takes for an RSI to form can vary from person to person. It also depends on the type of work you do. One worker may do the same job every day and not suffer from an RSI until years later. Another worker may begin to experience symptoms of an RSI within weeks or even days.
If you suffer from an RSI, it may happen due to limited breaks or overworking. Consider speaking to a legal professional. They can guide you if you wish to seek financial compensation for the damage you face.