An interview with Rhona Thorpe. Part 1 - The pain, the loss
of confidence and the early search for help.
What is OOS/RSI?
Occupational Overuse Syndrome/Repetitive Strain Injury is a condition that
is gradually getting more widely recognised. OOS is an umbrella term for a
number of particular conditions - inflammation in hands, wrists, forearms,
lower back, knees and is usually used to describe conditions resulting
from the sufferer's occupation. The term RSI has a wider application.
Therefore Rhona chooses to use both terms combined.
The people in occupations where OOS/RSI most commonly occurs are machinists
and freezing workers - even more frequently than those using word
processors and checkout operators in supermarkets.
Frequently the type of person who develops symptoms is a perfectionist who
is trying so hard to do an excellent job that muscles are tensed in the
process and not released.
Diagnosis in the past
A frequent diagnosis has been that the pain is from arthritis. Recognition
of OOS/RSI is comparatively new. The recognition greatly increased when
men as well as women began to get it! Tennis elbow and housemaid's knee
were associated with women. These were long recognised conditions and
symptoms were accepted without investigating causes. With increasing use
of their personal computers and typing of their own reports and theses men
showed symptoms as well. These men were articulate people who were able to
describe their condition. They sought recognition and help and were taken
more seriously than women with the type of symptoms that had long been
known to the medical profession.
What was Rhona's own experience with OOS/RSI?
Years ago the first specific pain started in her right elbow after she had
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Rhona
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been gardening or phoning. It did not last long. In 1995 she helped a
friend in her garden and worked to clear overgrown grass. She put in a lot
of effort - her typical pattern of work. She hit a heavy shovel on a log
concealed by the long grass. This caused severe pain in her elbow and
although with time it lessened it did not clear up. Rhona did not go to
seek help. A year later a session of dressmaking before a family wedding
further aggravated the pain in her right arm. She had done yoga since
1976 and believes that the relaxation techniques learnt through yoga
enabled her to carry on with the wedding preparations and join in the
festivities.
During the following month the pain in her arm began to intensify. Although
she is strongly right-handed she was forced to learn to do some of the
painful activities such as cleaning her teeth with her other hand.
Word processing aggravates the symptoms
For two years she had been working on the word processor for short periods
without any problems. However. during one week she had to work on two
documents under pressure and her right hand began to swell and be very
painful. She used her left hand instead but after two mornings using it
the same pain developed in it as well. An old unexplained ache in her
lower back also worsened.
Self-help
All of this made her suspect that she had OOS/RSI and spurred her to
action. Taking a self-help approach she rang Citizens' Advice for a
contact number for the OOS Support Group. At that time, in May 1996, the
group was not giving the names of specialist physiotherapists, but they did
mention selenium tablets, certain herbs and the benefit of general massage
They also recommended Dr W. E. D.Turner. He is an occupational medicine
specialist physician who has researched the condition. His booklet "The
Occupational Overuse Syndrome(1995)" is available through some GPs.
At this time the pain in both arms, especially the forearms, was severe,
and Rhona understandably became very anxious and tense - a factor which she
now believes aggravates the pain. Dr Turner's booklet emphasises rest. He
suggests exercises and also soaking in hot and cold water alternately.
These measures gave little relief at that stage. Giving up lifting and
abandoning the word processor was made necessary by the pain, but the
reduction in the use of her arms did not bring relief.
Night pain
Night pain followed, a symptom of the advance of the condition. It was so
excruciating that Rhona could find no position to relieve the pain, and
therefore had little sleep. She began to believe that she was losing the
power in her arms.
Relaxation massage
Sessions with a massage therapist eased the tension and Rhona began to
think that there was some hope of recovery. She knew, however, that this
was not enough. The pain returned soon after the treatment, so she had to
have massage twice weekly.
Consultation with the general practitioner
The next step was a visit to the doctor. She did not want to become
dependent on pain killers, and no other treatment was discussed then.
Voltaran was prescribed later. X-rays and a bone scan of the painful area
in her lower back showed that it was definitely not arthritis.
More self-help
She read widely, and tried all suitable ideas. She took note of the
symptoms and any changes in her condition. She was using a whiteboard once
a fortnight as part of a short course she was teaching, and noticed that
each time she was more restricted in the height she could reach on the
board. Her elbows began to rebel at holding the telephone, and she even
had to give up her daily walk.
Ideas began to be connected in her mind - an important aspect of dealing
with this condition. She realised that her perfectionist approach to her
work had caused a lot of tension in her muscles. For instance when word
processing she had used unnecessary energy and tired her wrists.
Further distressing symptoms
For many years she and her husband, Hugh, had shared the domestic chores,
but she was finding that she could not cut hard vegetables, could not
manage the vacuum cleaning, and felt great pain even when turning on a tap.
Driving the car became painful for her hands and arms, and even for her
left hip. Getting dressed was extremely difficult. Even turning on a light
switch was painful. Shaking hands was an agonising experience.
A comment that gave hope
Then after three months she was told by another sufferer from OOS/RSI, "It
is manageable, you know." That word 'manageable' Rhona now believes is of
key importance. It reversed for her the image of the downward spiral.
Read Part 2 to find
out how Rhona learnt to manage this condition and
what her advice is to others who develop possible symptoms of OOS/RSI.
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