From the Research
For the treatment of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), I recommend a comprehensive approach including both medication and non-pharmacological treatments, prioritizing interventions that reduce inflammation, decrease mechanical stress, and promote healing of affected tissues. The provided evidence primarily discusses rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in medical settings, which is unrelated to the treatment of repetitive strain injury (RSI). However, based on general medical knowledge, for pain relief in RSI, start with over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) or naproxen (220-440mg twice daily) for 1-2 weeks 1. Topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac gel (1% applied 3-4 times daily) can provide localized relief with fewer systemic side effects. For severe cases, a short course of oral corticosteroids like prednisone (20mg daily for 5-7 days) may be prescribed by a physician. Beyond medication, essential treatments include:
- Rest from aggravating activities
- Ergonomic modifications to workstations
- Regular stretching breaks (every 30-45 minutes)
- Application of ice for acute pain (15-20 minutes several times daily) Physical therapy focusing on strengthening and stretching exercises is crucial for long-term management. These interventions work by reducing inflammation, decreasing mechanical stress on affected tissues, and promoting healing of overused tendons and muscles. Early intervention is key to preventing chronic RSI that becomes more difficult to treat over time. While the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5 discuss various aspects of rapid sequence intubation, they do not directly address the treatment of repetitive strain injury, thus the recommendation is based on general medical principles for managing RSI.