Repetitive motion in your hobbies or work can cause injury to your spine, also known as a wear and tear injury. Keep reading to learn more about injuries from repetitious movement and how chiropractic care can help.
What is a repetitive strain spinal injury, and how do I treat/heal one?
A repetitive strain spinal injury occurs when a repetitious movement that you do in your hobbies like weightlifting or your work, like heavy lifting, every day gradually breaks down the muscles, joints, and tissues in your spine over time and causes a strain which causes pain. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may need to take a few days and stop the action that is causing the strain. You should also seek chiropractic care so the chiropractor can identify the strain and realign your spine to take the pressure off the affected area and allow it to heal. Your chiropractor may recommend massage and exercises as well to help treat the affected area.
What causes repetitive strain injury?
Repetitive strain injuries are caused by repetitive movement over time, especially by people who have manual labor jobs or are athletes. The same movement performed over and over again breaks down the ligaments, muscles, and tissues in that area because they are put under significant stress and eventually break down and cause pain and stiffness over time. Typically the pain starts out at a low grade and increases over time.
Is repetitive strain injury completely treatable?
Repetitive stress injuries can be permanent or treatable depending on the severity of the injury. Often, they are treatable, but it is important to rest and get treatment as soon as you notice the strain. Chiropractors will evaluate your strain and prescribe the best treatment plan for your injury. Besides their manual adjustments to realign the bones and joints affected by the strain, they may recommend massage therapy, physical therapy, and exercises to get you out of pain and on the road to healing.
How do bodybuilders avoid getting repetitive spinal strain injuries?
It is important to stretch before and after lifting weights to loosen the spinal muscles and avoid straining them. Focus on slow, controlled stretches, and don’t stretch to the point of pain. Stretch and strengthen your core with practices such as yoga so that you aren’t lifting with your spine but with your core. Make sure you are lifting with the correct posture to prevent the load from getting into the spine or the neck and causing injury. See a chiropractor regularly to maintain proper spinal alignment to help you avoid injury.
How long does it take to fix repetitive stress injuries?
The healing process of a repetitive stress injury depends on the severity of the injury. Rest of the affected area will be prescribed as well as heating and cooling the injury. Your chiropractor will examine you, diagnose the severity, and put you on a treatment plan to get you on the road to recovery. The process can take a few weeks or months depending on the extent of the strain.
Do cooks often get repetitive strain injuries?
Because of the repetitive movement of slicing, dicing, tossing, and cutting for the same meals everyday it is common for cooks to get repetitive strain injuries in their wrists, hands, and elbows. Their repetitious movements put them at increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. To prevent these injuries it is recommended that they take breaks often to stretch the muscles and integrating tools like mixers and food processors in the cooking process to cut down on the strain for your muscles.
How do pro gamers avoid getting repetitive strain injuries?
Since pro gamers sit down for long periods of time at a computer and use their hands and wrists to game, they are at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive spinal strain. It is important for pro gamers to avoid these by taking breaks and stretching regularly, sitting down with the correct posture and having your monitors at eye level so you aren’t looking down or hunching. Make sure your elbows are next to you and your wrists and hands are level and close to your desk to prevent strain. Exercise regularly to strengthen your core and posture and get regular chiropractic care to keep your spine and joints in correct alignment.
How bad does RSI get?
Repetitive stress injury symptoms include pain, swelling, tingling, numbness, stiffness, and weakness. If they go untreated, the slow repeated damage can lead to other conditions like stress fractures, ganglion cysts, nerve compression syndromes, and herniated discs.
What is the underlying issue causing repetitive motion back pain?
The underlying issue of repetitive motion back pain is overusing the spine, not resting, improper posture, and pushing through injury. To function optimally your spine and body need rest and regular breaks and don’t need to sit for long periods. As you’re working take regular breaks, make sure you have correct posture, and if you sit for work make sure you are taking regular standing breaks.
Call Thrive Chiropractic at 208-345-2222 today to schedule an appointment and see how they can help with your repetitive stress injury.
