A repetitive strain injury is caused by repeating the same motion over and over until some part of your body (often joints or tendons) becomes damaged. This injury occurs frequently in athletes (e.g. tennis or golfer's elbow) and frequently with employees who work at assembly lines, checkout lines, or computer keyboards all day.

Many other sectors can have positions which cause repetitive strain injury; the only limitation is that it has to be a job that involves repetitious, strain-inducing movement or a job that requires repetitive motions in an awkward position. The good news is that even though it's not a major injury or career-ending injury, you can still be eligible for a workers comp claim. If you aren't sure whether or not you should file a claim, here are three of the symptoms of repetitive strain injuries that you may experience:

1. Tingling or numbness

Tingling is often one of the first symptoms noticed when you develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is because the nerves in the wrist are affected, causing unusual sensations or lack of sensations in the fingers. Other strange sensations that may apply include:

• Tightness
• Generalized soreness
• Burning
• Weakness

2. Pain and exhaustion

Some repetitive strain injuries hurt so much that you feel exhausted from dealing constantly with the pain on a 9-to-5 shift. However, if you take pain relievers to control the pain and still feel exhausted, the exhaustion may actually be another symptom that your strain injury is struggling to heal by itself. Or the condition may be causing you to have difficulty sleeping through the night, which can cause daytime fatigue.

3. Change in appearance

The affected body parts may actually swell a bit, change color, or otherwise alter in appearance as the strain worsens. For example, the skin on and around the wrists may change color slightly. The temperature may also change and your skin may be hot to the touch.

Though there are over a dozen specific types of repetitive strain injuries, you can use these three general symptoms to help you figure out if you're likely experiencing one of them or not. Remember to get a professional opinion and treatment from your doctor, because if you neglect this type of injury, it can grow steadily worse over time even if it seems to improve when you're not on the job. Keep all of the paperwork to document your diagnosis and treatment for your claim, and be sure to hire a reputable workers' compensation lawyer to help with filing and negotiation.