More people suffering from RSI

More than two thirds of workers now suffer from repetitive strain injury (RSI), according to research by Microsoft.

In a survey of 1,000 people, the software giant found that cases of RSI had risen by a third in the past year.

It said that this was partly because more and more people were working from home or on the move and using notebooks and mobiles for an hour more per day then two years ago.

Just under three-quarters of workers said they suffered from the effects of RSI, with the most common symptoms including back ache, shoulder pain and pains in hands and wrists as a result of working on trains or in cramped or awkward positions.

According to Bronwyn Clifford, a chartered physiotherapist and ergonomist, people with these symptoms should visit their doctor as soon as they experience them. She said that if left for too long, RSI could lead to a “disabling condition”.

Microsoft said one of the main factors behind the high number of injuries is because not enough companies are replacing their existing office equipment with ergonomic hardware that can significantly reduce the risk of RSI.

To prevent these symptoms, Ms Clifford said that companies had to offer people a range of different alternatives.

“Everyone is different in the way they work and employers should take note of this,” she said.

John Allen, managing consultant at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), agreed: “There are many things people and employers can do to minimise the risks of RSI.

“Some handheld Palms, for example, come with an option to plug in a large keyboard, which means that people’s fingers won’t be so cramped when they are typing,” he said.

People are also advised to use notebook docks, which can be adjusted to different heights to prevent people bending over, and do stretches and regular exercises to strengthen the muscles around the neck and shoulders.