Illinois workers like you often repeat the same gestures and movements every day on the job. This can lead to repetitive strain, which might cause injuries.
While these injuries are not uncommon, you should also treat them like the serious matter they are. After all, repetitive strain injuries can severely hinder your ability to do any sort of work.
What causes RSIs?
Healthline examines repetitive strain injuries and their impact on your life. Repetitive strain injuries, known as RSIs, can occur in any field. Some examples of repetitive action in the workplace include:
- Answering phone calls
- Typing
- Scanning items at a register
- Working in a production factory
- Crafts that involve fine motor skills
RSIs often involve areas that suffer from inflammation due to continued use. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a well-known example of an RSI. This happens when the nerves in the wrist get pinched and damaged due to swelling in the soft tissue surrounding it.
How do you recover from an RSI?
Unfortunately, one of the only ways to deal with RSIs is through rest. In some severe cases, you may need surgery to achieve a full recovery, but this is not as common. This means taking time off work, which can affect your pay.
Even if you try to tough it out by continuing to work, your work quality will likely degrade. It is not possible to continue maintaining the same speed and accuracy of work when suffering with an RSI. As the pain and stiffness in the area grows, your quality of work diminishes and upper management may notice.
Taking time off to rest is often the best option. However, it is still a financial drain. For this reason, many people in your position choose to pursue damages.