What is it?
RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) is the old name for complaints of the arm, neck and/or shoulder. Dutch healthcare now uses the term KANS (in English, CANS), because repeated movements are often not the cause. If we find no specific condition, such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome, it is called non-specific KANS.
You feel pain, stiffness, tingling or numbness in your neck, shoulders, upper back, arms or hands. It often starts on the side you use most. More than a third of Dutch adults have such complaints in the course of a year.
Most complaints clear up on their own. Keeping active and adjusting your work for a while help you recover, and your physiotherapist works out with you which factors play a part.
Common causes
- Long stretches of computer and mouse work
- Repeating the same tasks over and over
- A workstation that is not set up well
- Heavy lifting, above shoulder height in particular
- High workload or demands
- Tension, worry and stress
- Few breaks and little change of posture
How we diagnose
We ask where your symptoms are, when they flare up and what your working day looks like. Your physiotherapist examines your neck, shoulders, arms and hands, and tests sensation and strength.
This shows whether your symptoms fit a specific condition or non-specific KANS. Bring a photo of your workstation and we look at it together.
Treatment approach
Exercise therapy is the foundation: you build strength and endurance in your neck, shoulders and arms. We also look at your workstation and working day, such as the height of your chair, desk and screen, short breaks and standing up every half hour.
You keep working where you can, with adjusted tasks for a while if needed. You do your exercise programme in our gym.
Expected recovery
Most people are free of symptoms after six to twelve weeks. Keep moving, even if it hurts a little, because pain when you move does not mean you are causing damage.
If the symptoms come back later, you pick up the exercises and adjustments again. They usually ease again then too.
