This belief discourages an active management strategy to prevent the problems. The plethora of terms may serve another purpose. In the early 1980s, there was widespread controversy about seemingly epidemic levels of RSI in Australia. Since 1984, there has been little new information on the condition coming out of Australia. Medical treatment often involves the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication, while surgery is aimed at the release of pressure on neural tissue.
Physical therapy includes spinal manipulation, muscle stretches and exercises.
Psychological therapy usually involves stress counselling, while the alternative therapies used include homeopathy and chiropractic treatment. But treatments have not been subjected to evaluation, patients are often given conflicting advice and there is a critical shortage of solid research in the area. Ergonomics consultant Dr. Suzanne Rodgers, who has worked with several large American corporations, said RSI is on the rise for several reasons. In the past, when many people stayed at the same job for 40 years, there was a natural selection process and those who developed painful conditions would seek other work. As well, employers in sectors such as high-volume manufacturing now tend to automate processes if possible, and this often ends up being the lighter tasks between the more complex work.