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Ginger pancakes could help fight the pain of repetitive strain injury
Like many thousands of people around the UK I spend the largest proportion of my day in front of a computer screen; tapping away on a keyboard. I used to think anyone who did that must have the most boring job in the world and yes, some jobs involving VDU work are mind numbingly tedious (for three months I carried out data entry in an Accounts Payable department – oh the pain of it!).
But some jobs involving a PC can be stimulating; the web will happily transport us all over the world and reveal to us things we might never otherwise know. We can, on a whim, look up what song was at number one on our day of birth, we can join a fantasy football league with our office compatriots throughout a network of global offices or buy a pair of Italian leather dressage riding boots, all in the blink of a caps lock light (and of-course only whilst on a designated break).
In fact, in my newest venture, here in the rarefied atmosphere of a personal injury claims office, I have in a few short months learned about Acoustic shock, norovirus stomach bugs, contact dermatitis and much more besides.
I love my keyboard, and I think it loves me, but I've also found out that it could cause problems for some people in the form of repetitive strain injury (RSI).
RSI is an umbrella term for a number of similar conditions, all of which involve the overuse of a certain tool or piece of equipment producing pain in muscles, nerves and tendons in an affected area. It can also be known as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), occupational overuse syndrome or work related upper limb disorder (WRULD).
These terms cover a plethora of more specific medical diagnoses, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, focal dystonia, ulnar nerve entrapment, tendonitis, and more amusingly, tennis elbow, gamer's thumb and raver's wrist. They all involve pain and dysfunction in localized areas whether it be hands, fingers, neck, back, shoulders or a combination of these, most commonly afflicted, body parts susceptible to work related repetitive strain injury.
Whilst employers are required to supply fully adjustable work station equipment, so that employees can adjust their chairs, keyboards and VDU screens to the most ergonomically efficient and comfortable position, many employees do not know the best way to sit, type, hold a pen etc, and over a long period of time, under certain circumstances, their health may be affected due to one or more RSI related disorders.
There are many and varied treatments for these injuries, but as I tapped away (with ergonomic precision, naturally) I found that there are certain natural remedies that appear to be good for the aches and pains that sufferers may endure.
My exciting internet research reveals that ginger appears to have many properties suited to the treatment of RSI. Originating in Southeast Asia, the root of the ginger plant has been used for over 7,000 in Chinese medicine, it is principally used in treatment of nausea and motion sickness, but has shown efficacy in the treatment of joint pain, arthritis and, in some cases, repetitive strain injury. There is evidence that ginger contains natural anti-inflammatory properties and a small amount taken daily could help reduce RSI pain.
Pain relieving therapies include the topical application of a 'ginger and scallion' compress and use of ginger oil to massage painful areas. Dr Neal Barnard, author of "Foods That Fight Pain" advocates taking a small amount of ginger everyday for pain relief. He suggests slicing a half teaspoon of fresh ginger and adding it to stir-fried dishes, sauces or, as suggested by ‘Runner's World magazine, it can be stirred into boiling water and drunk when cool.
I, for one, would prefer something a little more tempting? At The Ginger People website you will find several mouth-watering recipes.
You might choose to start your day with sweet ginger pancakes; then for lunch, how about ginger sesame salad with red onions and mandarin oranges? For a main course you could try grilled chicken with ginger and lime sauce followed, perhaps, by ginger pear muffins. On a cold winter's day, ginger-chocolate chip cookies sound delicious and they could be washed down with Hot ginger lemonade.
It sounds a scrumptious way to stay pain free and I'm tempted now to leave my beloved keyboard, rush to the kettle and make a wonderfully healthy ginger and lemon herbal tea infusion. And whilst I am making it, I shall flex my typed out fingers and arms, roll my neck muscles and maybe even do a complete upper body bend or two.
Whilst these foods, dietary treatments and exercises might serve my, thankfully, not yet apparent repetitive strain injury well, I would advise anyone who is suffering from any of the above mentioned afflictions to pay their doctor a visit as soon as possible. And if you're sitting on a wooden bench balancing your keyboard on your knees you may have a case against your employer for a work-related compensation claim.
