According to a a study from Virgin Mobile, 3.8 million Britons suffer from RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) caused by text messaging. Sometimes called BlackBerry Thumb and iPod Finger, the RSI injuries can be quite serious. RSI symptoms can include pain and immobility in the joints, nerves and muscles from the fingers to the neck, is caused by repetitive movements and fatigue.
The Register reports that British Chiropractic Association (BCA) spokesperson Dr Matthew Bennett was unsurprised by the findings.
"BCA chiropractors recognise that text messaging regularly, over a long period of time, could cause repetitive strain which may cause both short and long term injuries," he said.
Dr. Bennet advises people listen to their body. He also suggest several exercises that can help.
Tap each finger with the thumb of the same hand. Repeat five times.
Pull your thumb firmly with the other hand. Repeat five times.
Wrap an elastic band around the tips of fingers and thumb and open your hand against the resistance. Repeat 20 times.
Palms down wrap an elastic band around each thumb and force apart. Repeat 20 times.
Tap the palm and back of your hand on your thigh as quickly as you can. Repeat 20 times.
Massage thumb web, back of forearm and front of forearm. Two minutes.
Press and rub in a circular motion the painful nodules in those muscles. Thirty seconds for each nodule.
Reach up high with both arms and shake your hands. Reach down low with both arms and shake. Repeat three times.
Arms at 45 degrees, squeeze them behind you.
If it still hurts after a week of doing exercises, wrap an ice pack on sore hand and arm parts. Do not put ice directly on the skin but wrap in a thin cloth or piece of kitchen roll. Ten minutes on, 10 minutes off. Repeat three times.
The Register reports that British Chiropractic Association (BCA) spokesperson Dr Matthew Bennett was unsurprised by the findings.
"BCA chiropractors recognise that text messaging regularly, over a long period of time, could cause repetitive strain which may cause both short and long term injuries," he said.
Dr. Bennet advises people listen to their body. He also suggest several exercises that can help.