RSI- A bane for IT folks

BEWARE OF RSI

A recent work published by Capers Jones, chief scientist emeritus of
the Software Productivity Research (SPRI) cited that there are 15 million IT
professionals worldwide.I think there is no harm in calling it an 'IT world'.

People working in the IT industry are subject to same posture or movement throughout their work time.Most of the time the work involves staring at the monitor and using the keyboard and mouse for longer time frame without rest and they are ideal candidates for RSI. .Its nothing but repetitive strain injury. It is especially important for IT professionals and people who use computers for longer time periods to know about RSI.

The term "repetitive strain injury" is most commonly used to refer to patients in whom there is no discrete, objective, pathophysiology that corresponds with the pain complaints. It may also be used as an umbrella term incorporating other discrete diagnoses that have (intuitively but often without proof) been associated with activity-related arm pain.

The first sign of RSI is unlocalised pain in the arm during work which relieves after a short break but again appears on work. Many people neglect the indicating sign.This on progression leads to numbness and tingling sensation in the arm.Finally it leads to muscle fatigue and lack of endurance.

The symptoms of RSI if given importance at the very beginning,can be prevented by making modifications in the work posture, minor adaptations in the work station, altering the work routine by giving regular breaks in between and so on. When we come to see about the prognosis, almost all suffers of RSI improve on following proper ergonomic principles in work station and other recommended therapies.

To conclude, IT people are committed when it comes to work. However the same is not true in looking after their health and fitness.A few modifications to the way they work and some good workplace ergonomics would improve healthy work performance.

HOME PROGRAM IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational therapy as you all must have known is a part of rehabilitation program that incorporates active participation of the clients in the process. The therapist explains the purpose of an activity and simulates it for the client and remains passive for the rest of the time. The client is encouraged by the therapist in every way for his/her progression. As long as the client comes to the department, they work with the therapist instructing by their side. But nobody wants to continue their department visit lifelong. So after a period of regular visits, the clients are given follow up schedule and are asked to visit the department once in a while.

It is here where HOME PROGRAM plays a main role. The therapist creates a home program for the client.
What is home program all about?
As an Occupational Therapist let me explain this to you...


It is a detailed Therapy program given to the clients to do at home till they visit the department next time. The therapist prepares the home program in such a way that the clients can do it successfully with the things available at their home.
Home program includes list of symptomatic activities (i.e.) activities according to the clients symptoms, the frequency of intervals in which they have to be performed and activity progression according to the clients improvement level. The above mentioned are the highlights in a Home Program without which it is incomplete. The therapist explains it in detail for the client and asks for any clarifications. The client is given a detailed picture about the importance of home program.

The clients on performing the home program as per the therapist's guidelines feel the rate of improvement in their skills during their follow up visit. This serves as a strong source of encouragement for the client in achieving their end goal which in turn helps the therapist to proceed on.

I hope I’ve given a clear outline on what home program is all about. Occupational Therapy is a cluster of many such concepts which when explained, makes a lot of sense. Occupational Therapists as a rehab team member create a client-friendly environment and helps out their client to achieve a near normal life.

Black Friday - US Aadi thallupadi

I recently came across the term black Friday when going through some of the deal websites. I initially thought it was a horror movie. A little research gave some interesting insights. Black friday is the Friday after the thanksgiving week in America and it is the starting of the traditional holiday shopping season. The term originated in Philadelphia in the 60s from the police department who coined this not so affectionate phrase to mark the crowds, traffic jams, general trouble that comes with the start of the shopping season.

By early 1980s the retailers gave a new dimension to the term by giving the new theory that this day signifies that their losses (Generally marked in red ink in the accounting books) turn to profit (Marked in black). The activity starts as early as October when different retailers start announcing the deals.The day itself would be characterized by people staying overnight in malls so that they can pick up the deal items that would be stocked by the retailers. There have been stampedes gunfights on the day over the past years.

Reading up on this info made me think back to Aadi sale that happens in Tamil nadu,India. The aadi season which falls in mid july to mid august is considered to be an inausupicious time during which people do not buy anything new. To offset this a huge discount sale was proposed by the retailers such as pothys to entice customers to buy. It has progressed to such an extent that in the last few years this season is the time when the sales is huge.

You will not be able to enter Tnagar ranganathan street which is the garment hub in Chennai. Huge crowds, jam packed stores, huge traffic hold ups are a common feature of this season. Unlike the web advertising for black friday you can see a lot of hoardings, TV and radio adsfor Aadi.
Both aadi and black Friday have a lot in common.Both of them reflect the resourcefulness of the retailers in drawing customers.