Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a general term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse.

It's also known as work-related upper limb disorder, or non-specific upper limb pain.

The condition mostly affects parts of the upper body, such as the:

forearms and elbows
wrists and hands
neck and shoulders
Symptoms of RSI
The symptoms of RSI can range from mild to severe and usually develop gradually. They often include:

pain, aching or tenderness
stiffness
throbbing
tingling or numbness
weakness
cramp
At first, you might only notice symptoms when you're carrying out a particular repetitive action.

But without treatment, the symptoms of RSI may eventually become constant and cause longer periods of pain. You may also get swelling in the affected area, which can last for several months.

What to do if you think you have RSI
If you develop symptoms of RSI and think it may be related to your job, speak to your employer or occupational health representative.

It may be possible to modify your tasks to improve your symptoms.

See your GP if symptoms continue, despite attempts to change how you work.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) may be diagnosed when symptoms develop after a repetitive task and fade when the task is stopped.

Your GP will examine the area where you have pain and ask about your symptoms and medical history.

If your symptoms suggest you have swollen and inflamed tissue, you may have an underlying medical condition, such as:

bursitis – inflammation and swelling of the fluid-filled sac near a joint, such as the elbow or shoulder
nerve entrapment, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
Dupuytren's contracture – a thickening of the tissues in the hand, which causes one or more fingers to bend into the palm
epicondylitis – inflammation of the area where bone and tendon join, such as the elbow
rotator cuff syndrome – inflammation of the tendons and muscles around the shoulder
tendonitis – inflammation of a tendon
tenosynovitis – inflammation of the sheath that covers the tendons, most commonly in the hand, wrist or forearms
trigger finger – where swelling in a tendon running along one of the fingers makes it difficult to either bend or straighten the affected finger
ganglion cyst – a sac of fluid that forms around a joint or tendon, usually on the wrist or fingers
Raynaud's phenomenon – a condition where the blood supply to extremities such as the fingers is interrupted, especially when exposed to cold
thoracic outlet syndrome – compression of the nerves or blood vessels that run between the base of the neck and the armpit
writer's cramp (a type of dystonia) – a condition caused by overuse of the hands and arms
If your symptoms don't immediately suggest one of the above conditions, you may be referred for further tests.

For example, you may be given an X-ray to test for osteoarthritis, or blood tests to rule out inflammatory joint conditions.

If no other condition is found after having tests, you may be diagnosed with "non-specific upper limb pain syndrome".

What causes RSI?
RSI is related to the overuse of muscles and tendons in the upper body.

Certain things are thought to increase the risk of RSI, including:

repetitive activities
doing a high-intensity activity for a long time without rest
poor posture or activities that involve working in an awkward position
Cold temperatures and vibrating equipment are also thought to increase the risk of getting RSI and can make the symptoms worse. Stress can also be a contributing factor.

Jobs that involve repetitive movements can lead to RSI, such as working on an assembly line, at a supermarket checkout or on a computer.

Your work environment should be as comfortable as possible. You should ideally have a workplace assessment so that any adjustments needed can be made.

Your employer has a legal duty to try to prevent work-related RSI and ensure anyone who already has the condition doesn't get any worse.

How RSI is treated
The first step in treating RSI is usually to identify and modify the task or activity that is causing the symptoms. If necessary, you may need to stop doing the activity altogether.

To relieve symptoms, your GP may recommend taking paracetamol or a short course of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen. They may also suggest using a hot or cold pack, elastic support or splint.

You may also be referred to a physiotherapist for advice on posture and how to strengthen or relax your muscles. Some people find that other types of therapy help to relieve symptoms, including massage, yoga and osteopathy.

How to prevent RSI
Most employers carry out a risk assessment when you join a company to check that your work area is suitable and comfortable for you. You can request an assessment if you haven't had one.

There are also things you can do to help reduce your risk of getting RSI, such as:

maintaining good posture at work – see how to sit at a desk correctly
taking regular breaks from long or repetitive tasks – it's better to take smaller, more frequent breaks than one long lunch break
trying breathing exercises if you're stressed
If you work at a computer all day, make sure your seat, keyboard, mouse and screen are positioned so they cause the least amount of strain.

Treatment for repetitive strain injury (RSI) depends on your symptoms and whether a specific condition has been diagnosed.

Workplace health
If your RSI is caused by repetitive activity at work, the first step is to speak to your employer or occupational health representative.

It may be possible to modify your tasks to relieve the symptoms. Small changes to your lifestyle and working environment can often help.

Think about your working environment and what activity may be causing the problem. Take steps to reduce how much time you spend doing this activity or change how you do it.

If you can't stop doing it completely, take regular, short breaks to stretch and move about. Software packages that remind you to take regular breaks from the keyboard can be useful.

It can also be helpful to get advice from an occupational health representative at work on how to set up your work station.

Read more about workplace health, including:

preventing RSI at work – including advice about using a mouse and keyboard
how to sit correctly
common posture mistakes
Exercise
Some people with symptoms of RSI find that including exercise in their daily routine, such as walking or swimming, also eases their symptoms.

Read about the benefits of exercise and physical activity guidelines for adults.

Treatment options
See your GP if your RSI symptoms continue, despite attempts to modify your work activities. A number of treatments are available that may help.

If you have a specific medical condition, well-established treatments can often be recommended. These include self-help measures, medication, or even surgery, in some cases.

Some of these treatments may help even if a specific medical condition can't be diagnosed from your symptoms. However, in these cases, their effectiveness may be limited.

Possible treatment options for RSI include:

medication – including paracetamol, short-term use of anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, or pain receptor-blocking medications, such as some forms of antidepressants, if you're getting severe symptoms or interrupted sleep
cold packs, elastic supports or a splint
physiotherapy – including advice on posture and stretches or exercises to help strengthen or relax your muscles
steroid injections to reduce inflammation in an affected area (these are only recommended if an area has definite inflammation caused by a specific condition, such as carpal tunnel syndrome)
surgery to correct specific problems with nerves or tendons (for example, if you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome or Dupuytren's contracture) if other treatments haven't helped
Physical and complementary therapies
"Hands-on" therapies, including physiotherapy, massage or osteopathy, may be available after a referral from your GP, but in some cases there may be a long wait for an appointment.

If you decide to have private treatment, make sure your therapist is registered with a professionally recognised organisation.

Many people who have RSI for a long time try other types of complementary therapies and relaxation techniques to help relieve their symptoms, such as:

yoga
acupuncture
the Alexander technique
However, while some people with RSI find these helpful, there's little scientific evidence to suggest they're consistently effective for RSI.

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