My job involves sitting for hours sitting typing on the computer. Increasingly my hands feel painful and I’ve pins and needles in my arms, wrists and fingers. I’ve been told it may be RSI. What is that and what can I do to help myself get rid of it? Jessica Jones Liverpool

Jessica you are experiencing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). For people constantly using a computer keyboard or typing into a smart phone it’s a problem. Sufferers complain of dull intermittent pains and tingling sensations in their hands, wrists and fingers after spending long periods of time doing repetitive movements. Help yourself by placing wrists comfortably on a wrist rest in front of your computer to help avoid strain, it keeps your wrist straight as you type and stops you constantly bending your wrist back. Check your seat height in relationship to desk height, a slumped posture adds to the stresses and strain. Adjust seat height and try to keep your forearms parallel with the floor when you type or work at your desk.

Take a break, and do this simple exercise to stretch out the muscles and help prevent RSI. Put your fingertips together in front of your chest. Now press your palms together- hard – at the same time turn your fingertips inwards towards your chest. Hold for 10 seconds. Relax. Now press palms together again, pointing fingertips away from you. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat as often as possible. If the RSI gets worse seek medical advice.