RSI affects nearly 2 million workers each year. This is often surprising, as symptoms develop gradually in fingers, wrists, elbows, neck, shoulders, knees and back by repeating the same activity over and over (e.g., typing, texting, using a mouse, playing a musical instrument, throwing a ball, jogging).
Unfortunately, repetitive stress, whether work-related or recreational, can progress into a serious chronic injury that can affect your ability to work, engage in your favorite activities, and even ruin your career.
Common RSI injuries include but are not limited to :
- Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow, Golfers Elbow, Baseball Elbow)
- Tenosynovitis (Gamer's Thumb)
- Trigger finger
- Rotator cuff syndrome
How Stress Management Coaching Can Help
The good news is that RSI responds well to early detection and lifestyle changes. The right support and stress relief plan is essential. This is especially important if your job puts you at high risk for job burnout or requires repetitive physical exertion (e.g., typing, texting, gaming, sewing, jogging). Personal coaching can provide the roadmap, step-by-step guidance and skills to safely reduce stress and minimize your risk of injury by helping you to:
Recognize warning signs. Repetitive stress is felt differently by each person (e.g., stiffness, throbbing, spasms, pain, tingling, pressure, weakness, numbness). The first step in preventing or treating repetitive stress is to recognize the job, activity, emotional or environmental stressors that are causing your symptoms. Take one of our free stress quizzes to identify the causes of your personal and professional stress.
Understand your movement style. The way you sit, stand, talk on the phone, write, etc. can affect your posture and body position. By cultivating body awareness and listening to important sensory information, you can reduce stress, overwork (working harder than you need to) and increase the efficiency of your body's mobility and functions.
Coping with negative emotions. Many people spend most of their days feeling stressed, frustrated and overwhelmed, often needlessly. By becoming aware of situations, events and people that trigger your negative mood, you can learn how to adjust your thinking, reframe your stress and switch to a more positive, resilient mindset.
Improve your lifestyle. Learning to make healthier choices can significantly lower your risk of developing RSI. Taking breaks, exercising regularly, improving posture, using ergonomically optimized equipment and making time to relax are as important as eating a healthy diet and getting better sleep.
Develop new coping skills. Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation and guided imagery are powerful mindfulness techniques that can reduce stress in your body and brain. In a recent UCLA study, participants who learned and practiced mindfulness for just 5 minutes a day over a 3-week period experienced significant reductions in stress. They also experienced increased life satisfaction, mastery of their surroundings, and more positive relationships with others.
Ready to find relief? Explore our Stress Management Programs and schedule a free, 30-minute, no-obligation Discovery Call. Find out how personal coaching can help you live with greater ease, joy, balance and wellbeing.
We work with clients nationwide, across all 50 U.S. states, by phone or video.