How to prevent, relieve repetitive strain injury (RSI) pain

If you have pain in your hands, arms, neck or back, this may be a symptom of a repetitive strain injury (RSI) or an early warning of potentially disabling problems.  If you work for The Philadelphia Inquirer or Daily News, call the company's RSI Hotline: extension 5158.  Leave a message for Anne Burke, R.N., the company's retired medical director who comes in several times a month as a consultant to help with RSI issues.  She will evaluate your work station and possibly recommend adjustments to it as well as exercises you can do to prevent and relieve RSI.

If symptoms persist, seek treatment from a physician who has significant experience with RSI.  Follow medical instructions carefully. For example, it can be dangerous to keep your hand immobilized longer than prescribed.  We've seen anecdotal evidence that suggests the longer you delay getting treatment, the longer it will take to relieve your pain and restore your ability to work.

Cynthia Burton (cburton@phillynews.com), a vice president of this local, is chair of our union RSI committee.

Bill Ross (bross@local-10.com) is the Guild staff member assigned to work with this committee and on this important issue.

Please let them know if you have questions or concerns. (Also let them know if you'd be willing to serve on this committee and help continue this important work.)

Important things to remember:

1. RSI is often the result of an accumulation of strains and stress. So it isn't prudent to assume that you're immune -- and don't need the exercises and other precautions -- just because you've gotten by without being careful for a long time.

2. When your assignment changes, downsizing adds to your workload or anything adds to your stress and workload, you could become more vulnerable to RSI. So at these times it would be good to make sure your posture is good, your work station is properly adjusted, and that you're doing RSI prevention exercises.

TAP HERE FOR RECOMMENDED RSI EXERCISES

There's no substitute for getting proper professional medical care when you are presented with RSI symptoms. Delay prolongs the pain and increases the risk of long-term problems!

TAP HERE FOR GUILD PRESIDENT HENRY J. HOLCOMB'S
TESTIMONY AT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OSHA RSI HEARING

Here are links to a few of the many Internet sites that you might find helpful in learning about this important topic:

RSI ASSOCIATION OF LONDON

RSI SITE OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

MIT RSI INFORMATION SITE

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA RSI ALERT

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY RSI SITE

RSI SITE OF RICE UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING GRAD STUDENT

UCLA PAPER ON ERGONOMICS AND RSI

For more than a dozen years The Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia has been at the forefront of the effort to prevent repetitive strain injuries (RSI). Our members have played key roles in designing and implementing the response of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News to this serious threat to the comfort and health of many in our industry.  We have also testified before the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), addressed important industry forums, and participated in seminars and training programs at other newspapers on this important issue.