Repetitive strain injury (RSI) may be diagnosed when symptoms develop after a repetitive task and fade when the task is stopped.

Your GP will examine the area where you have pain and ask about your symptoms and medical history.

If your symptoms suggest you have swollen and inflamed tissue, you may have an underlying medical condition, such as:

• bursitis – inflammation and swelling of the fluid-filled sac near a joint, such as the elbow or shoulder
• nerve entrapment, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Dupuytren's contracture – a thickening of the tissues in the hand, which causes one or more fingers to bend into the palm 
• epicondylitis – inflammation of the area where bone and tendon join, such as the elbow
• rotator cuff syndrome – inflammation of the tendons and muscles around the shoulder
• tendonitis – inflammation of a tendon
• tenosynovitis – inflammation of the sheath that covers the tendons, most commonly in the hand, wrist or forearms
• trigger finger – where swelling in a tendon running along one of the fingers makes it difficult to either bend or straighten the affected finger
• ganglion cyst – a sac of fluid that forms around a joint or tendon, usually on the wrist or fingers
• Raynaud's phenomenon – a condition where the blood supply to extremities such as the fingers is interrupted, especially when exposed to cold
• thoracic outlet syndrome – compression of the nerves or blood vessels that run between the base of the neck and the armpit
• writer's cramp (a type of dystonia) – a condition caused by overuse of the hands and arms

If your symptoms don't immediately suggest one of the above conditions, you may be referred for further tests.

For example, you may be given an X-ray to test for osteoarthritis, or blood tests to rule out inflammatory joint conditions.

If no other condition is found after having tests, you may be diagnosed with "non-specific upper limb pain syndrome".

Treatment for repetitive strain injury (RSI) depends on your symptoms and whether a specific condition has been diagnosed.

Workplace health

If your RSI is caused by repetitive activity at work, the first step is to speak to your employer or occupational health representative.

It may be possible to modify your tasks to relieve the symptoms. Small changes to your lifestyle and working environment can often help.

Think about your working environment and what activity may be causing the problem. Take steps to reduce how much time you spend doing this activity or change how you do it.

If you can't stop doing it completely, take regular, short breaks to stretch and move about. Software packages that remind you to take regular breaks from the keyboard can be useful.

It can also be helpful to get advice from an occupational health representative at work on how to set up your work station.

Read more about workplace health, including:

• preventing RSI at work – including advice about using a mouse and keyboard
• how to sit correctly
• common posture mistakes

Exercise

Some people with symptoms of RSI find that including exercise in their daily routine, such as walking or swimming, also eases their symptoms.

Read about the benefits of exercise and physical activity guidelines for adults.

Treatment options

See your GP if your RSI symptoms continue, despite attempts to modify your work activities. A number of treatments are available that may help.

If you have a specific medical condition, well-established treatments can often be recommended. These include self-help measures, medication, or even surgery, in some cases.

Some of these treatments may help even if a specific medical condition can't be diagnosed from your symptoms. However, in these cases, their effectiveness may be limited.

Possible treatment options for RSI include:

• medication – including paracetamol, short-term use of anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, or pain receptor-blocking medications, such as some forms of antidepressants, if you're getting severe symptoms or interrupted sleep 
• cold packs, elastic supports or a splint
• physiotherapy – including advice on posture and stretches or exercises to help strengthen or relax your muscles
• steroid injections to reduce inflammation in an affected area (these are only recommended if an area has definite inflammation caused by a specific condition, such as carpal tunnel syndrome)
• surgery to correct specific problems with nerves or tendons (for example, if you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome or Dupuytren's contracture) if other treatments haven't helped

Physical and complementary therapies

"Hands-on" therapies, including physiotherapy, massage or osteopathy, may be available after a referral from your GP, but in some cases there may be a long wait for an appointment.

If you decide to have private treatment, make sure your therapist is registered with a professionally recognised organisation.

Many people who have RSI for a long time try other types of complementary therapies and relaxation techniques to help relieve their symptoms, such as:

• yoga
• acupuncture
• the Alexander technique

However, while some people with RSI find these helpful, there's little scientific evidence to suggest they're consistently effective for RSI.