Workstation Assessment

The way that your working environment is set up is very important particularly for those who spend a lot of time at their desks. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)arising in pain has become increasingly more common over the years with people having more sedentary jobs involving being at their desk for many hours every day.

What is RSI?

Repetitive Strain Injury involves developing symptoms from keeping prolonged postures or from oversuse of equipment whether at a workstation or with other work equipment.  These symptoms may include aching, cracking, numbness, pain, tingling, reduced movement in joints and strength.  If the problem causing the symptoms is left then it may become chronic meaning the symptoms will last for many years. Commonly known conditions that can result from a poorly set up workstation include tennis elbow, neck pain, back pain, nerve pain, carpal tunnel syndrome.

Physiotherapists can come to the workplace to provide a workstation assessment for individuals or for groups of individuals within one Company.   They will optimise your working environment to help keep your body in a good position which causes minimal stress on your body.  Following the assessment they will write a report which will be provided to yourself and your work Occupational Health team if present outlining the changes that need to be made.  Any workstation equipment we may recommend can be found at our online shop.

How Can I Prevent RSI?

The assessment of the postures you adopt at work can be corrected to help prevent RSI from starting. Also regular breaks are recommended at each hour where you walk around and do a few stretches, which will help prevent RSI.

What is PAUSE?

The physiotherapist will also go through PAUSE which is a number of exercises which take about a minute to do and are recommended to do at regular intervals if working for prolonged sessions in one position. They help to mobilise joints and stretch muscles and help to prevent problems developing