No one is immune from repetitive strain injuries. Whether you do sports, work a physical job, spend hours at the computer, or even just do daily chores, there’s always a risk of repetitive strain on your joints.
Here are some of the most common questions that we get asked about repetitive strain injuries, answered!
Repetitive strain injury is a general term referring to any injury to the musculoskeletal system (such as the muscles, joints, tendons, and nerves) caused by repeated motions or prolonged stress or compression in the affected body part.
They are also commonly known as overuse injuries, or repetitive stress injuries.
Repetitive strain injury is an umbrella term that includes a range of conditions such as:
Because so many daily tasks and manual jobs rely on the use of them, the body parts most commonly affected by RSI are the:
Among athletes, particularly in sports that involve a lot of running or jumping, repetitive strain in the knees is also quite common.
The symptoms of RSI can vary depending on the body part affected, but generally they include:
It’s common for these symptoms to initially appear only when doing the movements that caused the injury, but then gradually become persistent even while at rest.
Pretty much every kind of movement can lead to repetitive strain injury. In the context of RSI, it’s the excessive repetition or sustained pressure that becomes injurious, and not the movement itself.
Here are just some examples:
Though individuals who do manual labour are most at risk, repetitive strain injury can affect virtually anyone, in any setting.
Repetitive strain injuries can happen to anyone, but those who work manual labour are at greater risk.
5. Are repetitive strain injuries inevitable? Or can they be prevented?
Despite their prevalence, repetitive strain injuries are not entirely unavoidable.
Some people may find them more difficult to avoid because of their work obligations. But for the majority of people, repetitive strain injuries can be kept at bay simply through good practices such as:
Spend long hours at your computer? Frequent breaks and stretching can be key to preventing repetitive strain injuries in your upper body.
(Have repetitive strain in your wrist? Read our blog for specific tips!)
Repetitive strain injuries are often treated through non-invasive methods, including ones that can be done at home. These usually involve:
There are, however, some instances in which surgery is required. For example, in some cases of carpal tunnel syndrome that aren’t resolved through noninvasive means, surgery is prescribed as a last resort to relieve the nerve compression.
Repetitive strain injuries can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to heal, depending on the severity.
Early intervention is key for successfully treating RSIs. Listen to your body; as soon as you notice that pain, cramping, or numbness happening more often, it’s time to make some changes or seek the help of a physiotherapist.
Though recovery prognosis for RSI is generally good, rehabilitation can be difficult if you are constantly reaggravating the affected body part while working or performing everyday tasks.
Our team of licensed physiotherapists can create a smoother path to recovery.
Our physios will use modalities such as manual therapy, heat and cold therapy, posture correction, and custom exercise programs to not only get you back to moving pain-free but also lower your risk of reinjury.
Interested? Call 02 8808 4000 to learn more or send us an enquiry through this form.