Repetitive Stress Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Repetitive stress injuries ( RSIs ) can happen to any age group and in any occupation, or as the case may be in children, non-occupations. According to TeensHealth , children are often afflicted with RSIs due to sports practice, musical instrument practice or computer usage. Any movement that is repetitive has the potential of causing an injury, these precautionary tips can help prevent an RSI from occurring.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Prevention

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a well known type or repetitive stress injury. It's basically caused when a nerve is pinched in the wrist due to overuse of the wrist. The nerve passes through a 'tunnel' (carpal tunnel) in the wrist, but overuse causes the tunnel to swell and press on the nerve. Initially the pinched nerved sends out shooting pain distress signals, as the RSI progresses, hands become weak, numb and tingly.

To help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, relax your grip. Relax your grip on the ink pen, steering wheel or whatever else you hold frequently. Ease off on the pressure used to punch the computer, piano or calculator keys. Relax and use a lighter touch to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tendonitis Prevention

Tendonitis goes by many different names, usually by the name of the motion which caused the pain and inflammation. The Mayo Clinic lists tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, pitcher's shoulder, swimmer's shoulder and jumper's knee as common names for tendonitis. It's the repetition of the movement involved in each activity that causes the overused tendon to become inflamed and cause pain.

Prevention of tendonitis is quite simple; take frequent breaks. Stop whatever you are doing and do something else for awhile, or just rest. Giving the arm, shoulder, elbow, knee, etc., frequent rest breaks helps prevent this RSI.

Bursitis Prevention

Bursitis is another common and painful repetitive stress injury. WebMD tells us the bursitis occurs when the bursa (lubricating sacs located between body tissues) becomes inflamed or irritated. The fluid filled bursa sacs act as cushioning for joints, and when the knees, shoulders, hips, etc., are overused the RSI called bursitis is likely.

Help prevent bursitis with pads and wheels. Pad everything your joints frequently come into contact with, such as using knee pads when kneeling, elbow pads when leaning and cushion the seat you sit in most often to alleviate the pressure on the bursa located in the buttocks.

Use wheels to carry anything heavy. Use luggage with wheels and invest in a cart or hand trucks for heavy lifting so it will take the pressure off shoulders and knees and help prevent a repetitive stress injury.　

Sources:

OSHA

TeensHealth

MedicineNet

MayoClinic

WebMD