Repetitive Stress Injury
A repetitive stress injury is a cumulative overuse condition that affects muscles, joints and nerves. Most of the injuries occur in the arms and hands from overuse of the muscles related to keyboarding or working on a computer. Sports athletes such as pitchers in baseball or quarterbacks in football are also prone to developing repetitive motion injuries. The symptoms are worse with activity and weakness and sharp pain can ensue.
The following is a partial list of common repetitive stress injuries:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Golfer's elbow
- Tennis elbow
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- DeQuervain's syndrome
- Stenosing tenosynovitis
Prevention is the key in most injuries and ergonomics plays the biggest role in preventing overuse injuries. Maintain good posture at all times and using a headset when talking on the phone is helpful. Use of an ergonomic keyboard, chair, desk and mouse at your workstation can reduce stress on the tendons and lead to stress pain.
There are times when the injury has progressed too far for ergonomic changes to make a difference. Treatment options at this point involve rest, ice, bracing and supplements or medications that help reduce inflammation. Exercises, joint mobilization, acupuncture and massage care useful as well. Because tendons have a limited blood supply, full recovery can take longer than other tissue in the body. Several weeks of treatment may be necessary.
Chiropractic care is useful to help correct faulty posture such as the head forward posture, excessive curvature of the upper back and rounding of the shoulders. In addition, chiropractic adjustments delivered to the elbow, shoulders and wrist can be beneficial for carpal tunnel syndrome, golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow. Tendonitis responds well to soft tissue work such as Active Release Technique or Myofascial Release.
The chiropractic doctors at Frisco Spinal Rehab in Frisco, TX are experts in the management of many repetitive stress injuries. If you are dealing with pain and unable to perform and function like you should, call our chiropractic office today for a full evaluation.
