Do you find yourself experiencing joint aches, pain, tenderness and swelling after work or physical activity?
You may be suffering from repetitive strain injury (RSI). This article discusses common causes of RSI, prevention tactics and treatment options.
What is RSI?
A repetitive strain injury occurs when repetitive movements cause a gradual build up of damage to muscles, tendons and nerves. It can be caused by many different types of activities, most commonly:
typing
using a computer mouse
holding and using tools
assembly line work
sports training
There are specific types of RSI- you may know them as carpel tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, tennis elbow or bursitis.
Common symptoms:
mild to severe pain
swelling and tenderness
stiffness
tingling or numb feeling
throbbing
weakness
heat or cold sensitivity
These symptoms often start to occur occasionally and feel quite mild, gradually becoming constant and more intense.
RSI treatment
It is important to identify and start treatment as early as possible to avoid the need for surgery and more invasive treatments. Initial treatments that may be recommended include the following:
rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE protocol)
oral and/or topical non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSIADs)
rest from the repetitive task where possible
How a Sports Massage & Remedial Therapist can help:
relieve pressure on the affected area
relax muscles and normalise soft tissue to relieve pain
recommend exercises as part of your physical therapy plan
teach relaxation techniques you can carry out at home or at work
apply support tape to help your body heal
In some more advanced cases surgery may be necessary. This could be recommended by your doctor after a physical exam, or they may order an MRI or electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve damage.