A Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is simply damage to nerves, tendons, tendon sheaths, muscles, joints of the wrists, forearm, elbow, shoulder and neck. Repetitive Strain Injuries can be ignored by patients who don’t understand what causes the pain and how it can be treated.
Causes of RSI
Overuse, poor posture, poor technique – particularly while using electronics like smart phones, laptops and tablets can cause RSI. People who work on assembly lines, in offices, in restaurants and in other occupations requiring repetitive movement are more susceptible than others with more flexibility in their activities.
Repeated awkward or forceful tasks for sustained periods of time are major factors causing RSI. Sometimes we don’t realize exactly what’s happening. Repeated vibrations, forceful impacts or compressions for periods of time cause microscopic tears in the tendons and muscles. Over time the sheaths around the tendons start to chafe causing tendons to become inflamed. Inflammation of the sheath compresses against adjacent nerves, which compromises the nerves nearby.
Symptoms of RSI
Symptoms of RSI can range from discomfort to excruciating pain. Symptoms occur in the fingers, palm, wrist, forearm, shoulders, and neck. Pain in one area of the body may radiate to other connecting parts.
Symptoms include:
- Aching or shooting pain (may be stronger at night)
- Tingling and burning sensations
- Clumsiness of hands (loss of ability to grasp items, impaired thumb and finger dexterity).
- Swelling of hand and wrist.
- Hands feel cold and/or numb
- Wasting of muscles at the base of the thumb.
- Stiffness or restricted movement.
Common Types of Repetitive Strain Injuries
Tenosynovitis
Rapid, repetitive, and repeated twisting movement of the forearms and hands. Patients who perform a lot of keyboard work, or use hand tools (a mechanic or technician) can develop tenosynovitis. Not to be confused with tendonitis, tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons. While Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendon sheaths which surround the tendons in the hands/wrists.
DeQuarvains Syndrome
This is a type of tenosynovitis that is known as “trigger thumb” or “Washerwoman’s Sprain”. It also affects the sheath common to the two tendons of the thumb just above the wrist. This repetitive strain injury is caused by repeated trigger-like movement involving the wrist (video games, texting).
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Carpel tunnel is tingling, numbness and/or weakness in your hand due to pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. Carpel tunnel is the small space in your wrist that the median nerve and several tendons runs from you forearm into your hand. The median nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers. This area becomes compromised when there is repetitive finger movement, pinching and squeezing of fingertips, excessive use of the index finger, hand exertions with bending and twisting of the wrist, and overly tight grip for long periods of time (keyboards, texting, tablets).
Chiropractic Care for RSI
Chiropractic can be an effective treatment to help eliminate the pain and restore normal movement in patients with RSI. We work separately or in tandem with traditional medicine providers to properly diagnose and rehabilitate the patient. We have seen a sharp increase in this type of injury in our practice at Active Health and have been successful in treatment, many times eliminating the need for prescription medicines and surgery. Give us a call to get started, we in the Top Tier for most insurance companies.