Repetitive Strain Injury
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) causes pain from repeated movements, often in the arm, wrist or elbow. We ease the pain and correct the ergonomics and habits causing it at our Marple clinic.

Understanding Your Condition
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) describes pain and discomfort that build up from repeated movements or sustained postures — most commonly in the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow or shoulder. It's often work-related, affecting office workers, manual workers, musicians and anyone whose tasks involve repetitive hand or arm use.
At Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple, we ease the pain with hands-on treatment and address the ergonomics, posture and movement habits causing the strain — so it settles and doesn't keep coming back every time you work.

What You Feel
- Aching or burning pain in the hand, wrist, forearm or elbow
- Discomfort that worsens with repeated activity
- Tightness and fatigue in the affected muscles
- Tingling, numbness or pins and needles
- Pain that eases with rest and returns with work
- Weakness or loss of grip
- Discomfort spreading up the arm
- Symptoms that build gradually over weeks
Common Causes
- Prolonged computer and mouse use with poor wrist position
- Repetitive manual tasks at work
- Poor workstation ergonomics and posture
- Sustained awkward postures
- Inadequate breaks during repetitive tasks
- Weakness and tightness in the forearm and hand
- Playing a musical instrument intensively
- Returning to repetitive activity after time off too quickly
Who Physiotherapy Can Help
RSI affects office workers, manual workers, musicians, hairdressers, chefs and anyone whose daily tasks involve repetitive hand, wrist or arm movements. We help with both recent onset and long-standing RSI that recurs with work.
If your arm, wrist or elbow aches and worsens with repeated activity or at your desk, you may have RSI. We'll assess and build a plan to settle it and prevent it returning.
Struggling with Repetitive Strain Injury?
Book your assessment today. We'll find the root cause and start hands-on treatment in your first session.
Your Assessment
Your assessment identifies the specific tissues affected and the activities causing the strain. We assess the painful structures, your movement and posture, and review your workstation and tasks to understand the cause.
RSI is driven by what you do and how you do it, so understanding your activities is central. We'll explain what's causing your pain and design a plan to settle it and change the habits driving it.
How We Treat It
Our hands-on treatment approach:
- Assessment to identify the affected tissues and the causes
- Hands-on treatment to ease pain, tension and irritation
- Strengthening and stretching of the forearm and hand
- Workstation and ergonomic assessment and advice
- Posture and movement habit correction
- A graded return to activity without recurrence
Expected Recovery
Most RSI improves within 4–8 weeks with treatment and changes to the activities and ergonomics causing it. The key is fixing the cause — without that, the pain keeps returning every time you work.
We give you practical, realistic changes to your workstation and habits that fit your work, so the strain reduces and the pain settles for good. Most people recover fully with the right approach.
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
No GP referral needed. Direct access appointments available — often same-day or within a few days.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your first session is a 45-minute comprehensive assessment. We start by listening — understanding your symptoms, your history, and what you want to get back to. We then carry out a thorough hands-on physical examination to identify the root cause of your problem. You'll receive a clear explanation of what's going on, a personalised treatment plan, and hands-on treatment begins in that very first session. You leave knowing exactly what's wrong, what we'll do about it, and how long recovery will take.
What Should I Wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area we're treating. For knee, hip, or leg problems, shorts are ideal. For shoulder, neck, or back issues, a loose top or vest works well. You'll never be asked to undress beyond what's necessary for examination and treatment, and you'll always be treated with dignity and respect in our private treatment room.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This depends on your condition, how long you've had it, and your goals. Many patients feel significant improvement within 3–6 sessions. Acute injuries often resolve faster, while long-standing or complex conditions may need more. We'll give you a clear treatment timeline at your first appointment — and we only ever recommend sessions you genuinely need. Our goal is to get you independent and pain-free as quickly as possible, not to keep you coming back.
Can I Claim Through Insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by most major health insurance providers including AXA, Vitality, Bupa, WPA, and Healix. We can bill your insurer directly so you don't need to pay upfront — simply bring your insurance authorisation number to your appointment. If you're not sure whether you're covered, call us and we'll help you check before you book.
Treated by a Qualified, Experienced Professional

Rob Wood
Head Physio & Clinic Owner
Meet Rob, founder of Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple.
Repetitive Strain Injury Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Complete Recovery Physiotherapy?
Treat the Cause, Not Just the Pain
RSI recurs unless you change what's causing it. We assess your workstation and habits and give practical changes that fit your work, so it stops coming back.
Workstation & Ergonomic Advice
We review your setup and how you work, advising on adjustments that reduce strain — often the turning point for stubborn RSI.
Hands-On Plus Strengthening
Manual therapy to ease pain and tension combined with strengthening and stretching — the combination that produces lasting recovery.
Practical, Realistic Changes
We give you changes that fit your actual work and tasks, not generic advice that doesn't apply to your situation.
Same Physio Every Time
Continuity of care with a physio who knows your work, your symptoms and your goals throughout your recovery.
Flexible Booking
Early morning, evening and Saturday appointments in Marple, with online booking 24/7 to fit around your work.
Related Conditions We Treat

Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a painful tendon problem on the outer elbow, usually caused by overuse rather than tennis. We rebuild the tendon with a progressive loading programme and hands-on treatment, easing pain and restoring grip strength.
Learn More
Golfers Elbow
Golfers elbow is a tendon problem on the inner elbow causing pain with gripping, bending the wrist or throwing. We rebuild the tendon with a progressive loading programme and hands-on treatment, easing pain and restoring strength at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain affects reaching, lifting, sleeping and sport. We assess the exact cause — from tendon problems to stiffness — and rebuild comfortable, confident movement with hands-on treatment and targeted rehabilitation at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Tendinopathy
Tendinopathy is a painful tendon condition caused by overuse, affecting tendons throughout the body. We rebuild the tendon with a progressive loading programme at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreRelated Services

Physiotherapy
At Complete Recovery Physio, everything we do is built around high-quality physiotherapy. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or looking to move more freely, we're here to support you.
Learn More
Workplace & Office Injury Physiotherapy
Workplace and office injury physiotherapy tackles the postural strain, repetitive strain and manual-handling injuries caused by modern work — easing your pain and giving you the practical changes needed to stop it returning, at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is the hands-on heart of physiotherapy — skilled joint mobilisation, soft tissue release and manipulation that reduces pain, restores movement and helps your body move freely again, delivered by experienced physiotherapists in Marple.
Learn MoreDon't Let Pain Hold You Back
Expert, hands-on physiotherapy in Marple. Free parking. Same-day and short-notice appointments often available.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book your assessment today and take the first step towards a pain-free, active life. Free parking at our Marple clinic.

