Have you ever developed a burning, aching pain in your shoulder after playing too many rounds of golf, or shooting pains and weakness in your elbows after working consecutive days in the garden? Have you had numbness, tingling, aches in your hands after spending weeks glued to the computer trying to make a deadline? If you have, you’ve probably experienced the early stages of repetitive stress or strain injury (RSI).
A repetitive stress or strain injury (RSI) in general terms is a gradual build of damage to muscles, nerves, and other soft tissue structures through repetitive motion commonly affecting the upper extremities and neck. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), RSI affects some 1.8 million workers per year.
RSI frequently affects your:
• neck and shoulders
• wrists and hands
• forearms and elbows
Symptoms include:
• pain
• tingling or numbness
• tenderness
• swelling
• stiffness
• throbbing
• sensitivity to cold or heat
• weakness
Treatments:
- Initial treatments include: rest, ice, bracing, anti inflammatories
- Physical Therapy: cryotherapy, splinting, taping, manual therapy, pain/inflammation control modalities, range of motion exercises, strength/stability exercises, ergonomics/biomechanics/posture training, preventive education
- Invasive procedures including injections and surgery if conservative treatments are ineffective.
Are you experiencing symptoms? See your local Physical Therapist for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan to get you back to pain free daily activities, work, and recreation.
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The Injury Atlas 