How Carpal Tunnel Therapy Can Help With Repetitive Strain Injury

Repetitive strain injury or RSI refers to a general term describing the pain a person feels in the tendons, muscles, and nerves that stem from overuse and repetitive movements.

According to reports, almost 450,000 workers in the United Kingdom have upper limb RSI, and several countries show 5% to 10% of the population have RSI. 

In this post, you’ll learn more about RSI and how carpal tunnel therapy can help.

Carpal Tunnel Therapy Helps Reduce Pain from RSI

Repetitive strain injury commonly affects the upper body parts, such as the wrists and hands, forearms and elbows, and the neck and shoulders. The symptoms of RSI range from mild to severe, which usually develop gradually, including weakness, stiffness, pain or tenderness, tingling or numbness, cramping or throbbing.

Initially, these symptoms are noticed when performing a particular repetitive action, and if the symptoms become constant without treatment, this can cause prolonged pain that may last for several months. That’s why if you develop these symptoms, and you think it is related to your job, you have to talk to your employer and occupational health representative. Seek consultation and find out how a professional hand and upper extremity physician can help you here.

Here are the initial treatments for RSI:

• The first step in treating repetitive strain injury is identifying and modifying the activity or task that is causing your symptoms.
• You may need to stop performing the activity altogether temporarily. Your doctor may prescribe paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain associated with RSI. If symptoms worsen or aren’t relieved, report it to your doctor immediately to check alternative options for treatment.
• Also, using a splint or elastic support and a hot or cold pack can help.
• You can undergo physical therapy and your physical therapist (PT) will follow up with your doctor to make other recommendations and talk about your progress.

Carpal Tunnel Therapy Helps Assess the Source of RSI

Repetitive strain injury is related to the overuse of tendons and muscles in the upper body. Repetitive activities, such as performing a high-intensity activity without rest for a long time, cold temperatures, poor posture or doing activities in an awkward position, lifting heavy objects, and vibrating equipment are thought to cause RSI.

Changing how you perform your work can lessen or stop the symptoms of RSI, but if the symptoms worsen, you need to seek medical attention right away. By doing so, you prevent further complications and workplace accidents brought about by the symptoms of RSI. Also, employers should conduct a workplace assessment to make any adjustments as necessary to prevent workers from experiencing RSI.

Here are the examples of jobs that are at risk for RSI:

• Desktop jobs like office work using a keyboard and computer mouse
• Assembly line work
• Sports training or athletes

Carpal Tunnel Therapy Helps Find Ways to Treat RSI

The most common repetitive strain injuries are carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff tendonitis. Therapy can help you regain mobility and strength. That’s why you have to talk to a trusted and reliable healthcare professional, such as a doctor who specializes in treating upper extremity conditions, like RSI, and performs hand physical therapy.

Here are the most common treatment and recommendations when managing RSI:

• Performing “gliding” exercises, which focus on tendons and nerves to help increase mobility and reduce pain.
• Your doctor might also recommend a brace that you can wear at night to help keep your wrist straight. Also, you can wear it during the day if you do activities that can worsen your symptoms.
• Make lifestyle changes to help reduce symptoms at home, at work, and during your leisure time.
• Using high-frequency vibrations or ultrasound to decrease symptoms.
• Using a special hand traction device that will make the carpal tunnel area larger via stretching.
• You may be referred to an experienced physiotherapist for expert advice on how to relax and strengthen your muscles and proper posture.
• The other types of carpal tunnel therapy include yoga, massage, and osteopathy. Breathing exercises can help reduce stress.
• Take regular breaks from repetitive and lengthy tasks. Take more frequent breaks or small breaks than a long lunch break to avoid stressing your muscles and tendons too much.
• If you are working at a computer all day, your computer screen, keyboard, mouse, and seat should be positioned correctly for the least amount of strain.

Conclusion

Repetitive strain injury should be addressed to avoid chronic pain and torn ligaments that may require surgery. Therapy for carpal tunnel and other types of RSI can help relieve the signs and symptoms, as well as diagnose and provide recommendations to stop them.