Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) is a term that is used to describe the compounding effect that small repetitious trauma has on the tendons, muscles, nerves and joints of the body. Alone, one micro-trauma has minimal longstanding impact on the body; in combination, several micro-traumas can increase the likelihood of severe physical impairment.
RSI occur for a variety of reasons, some of which are:
Poor posture
Poor ergonomics
Poor working environment
Prolonged positions
Excessive repetitious movements
Awkward lifting
Lack of physical conditioning
Inadequate foot wear
Operating vibratory equipment
Overdoing it
Commonly, RSI are diagnosed in the neck, back, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Less often, they are seen in the hands, hips, knees and ankles. The symptoms that most RSI sufferers complain of are:
Pain
Swelling & inflammation
Stiffness of a body part
Decreased movement of a joint
Numbness, burning or tingling
Symptoms worsen with time
Over time, the wear and tear of different body parts can lead to the damage of different types of tissues: tendons, muscles, nerves, etc. As a result, there are many disorders which can be associated with repetitive strain injuries.
Tendonitis
Tenosynovitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tennis Elbow
Golfer’s Elbow
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Chronic Back Pain
Degenerative Disc Disease
Bursitis
The risk of developing an RSI can be diminished by improving awareness, ergonomics and the workplace environment, reducing repetitive movements, and seeking regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic tune-ups prevent the development of an RSI because they help identify and eliminate spinal restrictions and muscle imbalances before they have the chance to manifest.