Avoid Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

3. Take frequent breaks from repetitive activities to stretch your hands and wrists.

4. Use correct posture.

• For activities such as typing, keep your forearms parallel to the floor or slightly lowered.
• Position your keyboard so that you do not have to reach up to it.
• When your forearms are hanging by your side, keep your shoulders relaxed, not raised.
• Your wrists should be in line with your arms, not twisted or bent for long periods of time.
• Make sure your fingers are lower than your wrists when typing. Using a keyboard wrist support may help.
• Position your work at waist height or slightly lower if you have to exert force.
• Organise your work so that you can change your position occasionally while maintaining a comfortable posture.

5. Avoid using too much salt if you tend to retain fluid.

6. Talk to your human resources department. If you feel that certain activities are causing numbness or pain in your fingers, hands, or wrists, ask for information about different ways of doing your job, changes in your equipment or other job assignments. If you can’t change positions or equipment at work often enough to prevent numbness or pain, wear a wrist splint to reduce the stress in the affected area.

7. Train yourself to use techniques that will minimise stress in your hand or wrist. In daily routines or hobbies at home, consider activities in which you make repeated finger, hand or wrist movements, and use the tips above to change your habits.