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Reprinted from The RSI Network - Issue 13 - Aug'93
Mark Pinsky
August 1993
A recent paper by Kwan Lee of Louisiana State University, Naomi Swanson of the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and others raises questions about whether
commonly recommended exercises are safe for VDT operators, including RSI sufferers and
those at risk for RSIs. The investigators found that some exercises could be unsafe for
workers at risk for RSIs, could replicate RSI-associated risk factors, or could be
hazardous for people with pre-existing conditions. ("A review of physical exercises
recommended for VDT operators," K. Lee, et al., "Applied Ergonomics," 1992,
Vol. 23, No. 6, pp. 387-408.) These results are important, but they should not be used to
rule out all exercises for people at risk for RSIs. Even people with some types of RSIs
can benefit from exercises under proper medical supervision.
I debated whether to include exercises in my forthcoming book (The Carpal Tunnel Book:
Preventing & Treating CTS, Tendinitis and Related Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Warner
Books, $5.99, November 1993), before concluding that I could safely suggest certain
exercises under the conditions listed below.
1. If you have or suspect you have an RSI, consult a doctor before doing any exercises
involving the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, or neck. Some exercises can be done safely
but should be closely supervised.
2. If you experience any RSI-related symptoms while exercising, stop immediately and
see your doctor.
3. Do exercises gently and cautiously. You can stretch your muscles and warm up your
joints by working with soft, small movements as well as you can with hard, large
movements, and you do not have to strain yourself to exercise.
4. Do gentle exercises before starting work and regularly throughout the work day, if
possible.
5. Exercises do not eliminate the need for proper equipment and working conditions,
rest breaks, health work practices, and safe job organization. To minimize RSI risks, you
should have both proper working conditions and a safe, regular exercise program.
After reading Lee and Swanson's paper, I called Swanson, who confirmed that exercises
can be helpful if done properly. The paper suggests guidelines for exercise programs and
includes warnings about specific types of exercises. I recommend that anyone involved in
exercise programs read the paper (reprints are available from Swanson at NIOSH, Taft
Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226).
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