Exercise
Stretches for Repetitive strain injuries
I would like to continue my praise of stretchingas it also helps to prevent repetitive strain injuries (RSI) .
Many injuries could be caused by repetitive strain of the structures but the most commonly seen RSI of the upper limb in the office are tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon) of the forearm muscles. Splinting appears to be the treatment of choice to rest the inflamed tendons but prolong immobilization is neither practical for our busy lifestyle nor beneficial. Since the main cause of such injuries is the constant and repetitive contraction/shortening of the associated muscles to put excessive tension/pullto their tendons, the primary aim should therefore be reducing such shortening/tension by stretching. Stretching does not have to be vigorous. It may simply be performed to prevent further shortening/tension and therefore could be performed even in the acute (early) stage of an injury. Stretching could be more frequent, prolong and intense as inflammation settles. Patients should learn from practice to feel how far they may stretch. As a general rule, stretching should be just short of pain in the very acute stage, just touching the edge of pain. As the acute inflammation settles, stretches could be progressively stronger. Patients need to know their normal muscle length to continue to maintain flexibility by daily stretches to help to prevent repetitive strain injuries.
Many injuries could be caused by repetitive strain of the structures but the most commonly seen RSI of the upper limb in the office are tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon) of the forearm muscles. Splinting appears to be the treatment of choice to rest the inflamed tendons but prolong immobilization is neither practical for our busy lifestyle nor beneficial. Since the main cause of such injuries is the constant and repetitive contraction/shortening of the associated muscles to put excessive tension/pullto their tendons, the primary aim should therefore be reducing such shortening/tension by stretching. Stretching does not have to be vigorous. It may simply be performed to prevent further shortening/tension and therefore could be performed even in the acute (early) stage of an injury. Stretching could be more frequent, prolong and intense as inflammation settles. Patients should learn from practice to feel how far they may stretch. As a general rule, stretching should be just short of pain in the very acute stage, just touching the edge of pain. As the acute inflammation settles, stretches could be progressively stronger. Patients need to know their normal muscle length to continue to maintain flexibility by daily stretches to help to prevent repetitive strain injuries.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist