Aching shoulders, wrist pain or tingling after another day at your desk?

Repetitive work, prolonged periods at a computer and spending too long in the same position can contribute to pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands.

At Westway Clinic, we assess musculoskeletal problems associated with repetitive strain, desk work and sustained working positions, helping you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and what you can do about them.

Our Redhill clinic offers physiotherapy and osteopathy for appropriate musculoskeletal problems, conveniently located for Redhill, Reigate and the surrounding area.

Is Work Leaving You in Pain?

Desk-related and repetitive problems do not always start with a dramatic injury.

Symptoms often develop gradually.

You may initially notice discomfort towards the end of the working day, after a particular task or during periods when your workload increases.

Over time, you might find yourself changing how you work, avoiding certain movements or struggling to stay comfortable.

Common symptoms can include:

• Aching in the neck or shoulders
• Forearm or elbow pain
• Wrist or hand discomfort
• Burning or throbbing pain
• Stiffness
• Weakness or reduced grip
• Tingling or pins and needles
• Numbness
• Symptoms that worsen during particular work tasks

RSI is an umbrella term commonly used for pain associated with repeated movement. It can affect the shoulders, elbows, forearms, wrists, hands and fingers.

What Is Repetitive Strain Injury?

Repetitive strain injury — usually shortened to RSI — is a term used to describe pain associated with repeated movement or use of part of the body.

It is not one single diagnosis.

Symptoms can occur in different areas and may have different underlying causes, which is why simply labelling all work-related arm or wrist pain as “RSI” does not necessarily tell us what needs to be done.

Repetitive activities such as typing, manual work, decorating and using tools can be associated with RSI symptoms. Sporting activities involving repeated movements can also contribute.

At Westway Clinic, the first step is therefore to assess your particular symptoms and the activities that provoke them.

What About “Poor Posture”?

You may have been told that your pain is caused by poor posture.

In reality, there is not one perfect sitting position that everybody needs to maintain throughout the day.

Often, the more useful questions are:

• How long are you staying in one position?
• How repetitive is your work?
• How is your workstation set up?
• How much movement do you get during the day?
• Are particular tasks consistently aggravating your symptoms?
• Is there weakness, stiffness or another musculoskeletal problem that needs addressing?

NHS musculoskeletal guidance for desk-based workers similarly notes that there is no single “perfect posture” and encourages regularly changing position and taking breaks from the desk.

So our approach is not simply to tell you to “sit up straight”.

The aim is to understand the combination of factors that may be relevant to you and identify realistic changes that fit your working day.

Areas Commonly Affected by Desk and Repetitive Work

Neck & Shoulders

Long periods at a computer or in one position can be associated with neck and shoulder discomfort, stiffness and muscular tension.

Elbow & Forearm

Repeated gripping, keyboard work, tools, lifting or other repetitive tasks may aggravate pain around the elbow and forearm.

Wrist & Hand

Repeated hand and wrist activity can contribute to pain, aching and stiffness.

Upper Back

Some people experience aching or stiffness between the shoulder blades or across the upper back after prolonged periods of desk work.

Is It RSI or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Tingling, numbness or weakness in the hand can sometimes be labelled as RSI, but these symptoms can have several possible causes.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a specific condition involving compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Common symptoms can include tingling, numbness, pain and weakness or difficulty gripping.

It therefore should not simply be treated as another name for repetitive strain injury.

If your symptoms suggest carpal tunnel syndrome or another nerve-related problem, appropriate assessment is important so that you can be advised on the right next step.

How We Can Help With RSI & Work-Related Pain

Treatment depends on what your assessment identifies.

Rather than focusing only on the painful area, your practitioner may consider your movement, strength, working habits and the activities that trigger your symptoms.

Your plan may include:

Assessment

We will discuss where your symptoms occur, when they started, what work or activities you perform and what makes the problem better or worse.

Hands-On Treatment

Where clinically appropriate, your practitioner may use manual or soft-tissue techniques as part of your treatment.

Strength & Mobility Exercises

Exercises may be recommended to improve strength, movement or tolerance to the activities that are currently causing difficulty.

Physiotherapy is one recognised treatment route for persistent RSI symptoms and can include strengthening and movement work.

Workstation & Activity Advice

Where relevant, we can discuss practical changes to your working position, equipment, movement breaks or the way you approach repetitive tasks.

Self-Management

The aim is to give you useful things to do outside the treatment room rather than making you dependent on repeated appointments.

That may include exercises, movement advice or strategies for gradually increasing activities that currently aggravate your symptoms.

Small Changes to Your Working Day Can Matter

If desk work is contributing to your symptoms, buying an expensive chair is not automatically the answer.

Often, simple changes are more useful.

These might include:

• Changing position regularly
• Taking short movement breaks
• Reviewing screen, chair, keyboard and mouse position
• Alternating between tasks where possible
• Avoiding long periods in exactly the same position
• Gradually rebuilding tolerance to aggravating activities

Workplace adjustments should be practical enough to use consistently rather than creating a theoretically perfect workstation that is impossible to maintain.

NHS guidance encourages people with RSI to remain active where possible and to speak with their employer about changes to work when symptoms are causing difficulty.

Osteopathy or Physiotherapy – Which Should I Choose?

Both services are available at Westway Clinic, but the most appropriate practitioner will depend on your particular symptoms.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy may include:

• Musculoskeletal assessment
• Exercise rehabilitation
• Strength and mobility work
• Manual therapy
• Advice and self-management

Osteopathy

Osteopathy may include hands-on assessment and treatment of appropriate musculoskeletal problems.

Not Sure?

You do not need to diagnose the problem yourself or decide which discipline you need before contacting us.

Tell our team where you are experiencing symptoms and what seems to trigger them, and we can help you choose an appropriate appointment.

What Happens at Your First Appointment?

1. We Understand Your Symptoms

Your practitioner will ask where you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, when they occur and how your work or daily activities are affected.

2. We Look at How You Move

Your assessment may include looking at movement, strength and the areas associated with your symptoms.

3. We Explain What We Find

We will talk you through the findings and what we believe is the most appropriate way forward.

4. We Agree a Plan

Where treatment is suitable, your plan may combine hands-on treatment, exercises and practical advice about managing your work or activity.

The goal is to give you a clear route forward rather than simply treating the painful area and sending you back to exactly the same routine.

When Should I Speak to My GP?

Many episodes of work-related musculoskeletal pain improve, but medical advice may be appropriate when symptoms persist or are getting worse.

NHS guidance recommends seeing a GP if symptoms you think may be RSI are not going away or are worsening.

You should also seek appropriate medical advice if you are experiencing concerning or unexplained symptoms, particularly significant or increasing weakness, persistent numbness or symptoms following a significant injury.

If we assess you and believe another form of investigation or medical care would be more appropriate, we will explain this.

Why Choose Westway Clinic?

Work-related pain can be particularly disruptive because simply avoiding the activity is often unrealistic.

You may still need to type, use tools, drive, lift, work at a computer or carry out the same task every day.

Our aim is therefore to find a practical approach that works in the real world.

At Westway Clinic we focus on:

• Understanding what your working day actually involves
• Properly assessing your symptoms
• Explaining the problem clearly
• Providing appropriate hands-on treatment where relevant
• Building strength and movement where needed
• Giving practical advice you can use at work
• Helping you become less dependent on treatment over time

Frequently Asked Questions About RSI & Desk-Related Pain

What does RSI feel like?

Symptoms vary but may include aching, burning or throbbing pain, stiffness, weakness, tingling, pins and needles, numbness, muscle cramps or swelling.

Is RSI caused by bad posture?

It is usually more useful to think about several factors rather than blaming one particular posture.

Repeated movements, prolonged positions, working habits and individual physical factors may all be relevant. Regularly changing position is generally more realistic than trying to hold one “perfect” posture all day.

Should I stop working if I have RSI?

Not necessarily.

NHS advice encourages remaining active while initially limiting or modifying activities if necessary. Workplace changes may also help you continue working while managing symptoms.

Can physiotherapy help with RSI?

Physiotherapy may be recommended when symptoms persist and can include exercises to strengthen muscles and improve movement.

Is tingling in my fingers RSI?

Not always.

Tingling or numbness can have several causes, including nerve-related conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. If these symptoms persist, getting an appropriate assessment is sensible.

Do I need an expensive ergonomic chair?

Not necessarily.

Your overall workstation, the length of time you remain in one position, movement breaks and the way you perform your work can all matter. A different chair alone does not guarantee that symptoms will improve.

Work Shouldn’t Mean Being in Pain All Day

If desk work or repetitive activity is leaving you with persistent neck, shoulder, arm, wrist or hand discomfort, book an assessment at Westway Clinic.

We will take the time to understand your symptoms and working habits, assess what may be contributing to the problem and give you a clear plan for what to do next.

Westway Clinic
17 Hatchlands Road
Redhill, Surrey
RH1 6AA

Call: 01737 762990

Convenient for patients in Redhill, Reigate and surrounding areas.