Most people realise the human body is only subject to withstand a certain amount of force. When the force exceeds what a particular body part can withstand a break or tear will occur. This is straight forward and easy to comprehend (cause and effect). When dealing with RSI or overuse injuries it is more complicated, as there is more components involved. The three main components that will influence RSI are:
- Load: The weight of the object being lifted (might be internal i.e weight of your arm)
- Repetition: How often the load is being lifted
- Rest: Time between repetitions
Other factors such as biomechanics, nutrition, current fitness, training/exercise history and genetics will play an important role as to why some people get RSI and others don't even thought the 3 main components are the same.
Treatment of RSI
- Education: Tell the client why they are getting pain. as explained above may not be a straight forward.
- Rest: Cease provocative movement.
- Modify: If rest from provocative movement is not achievable reduce load or repetition and/or increase rest time.
- Physiotherapy: Release tight muscles, mobilise stiff joints, strengthen weak muscles and secure unstable joints.
- Acupuncture: Similar effect to massage.
- Anti-inflamatories: Only an adjunct to other treatment.
- Plan: Gradual introduction to big three components.
- Braces and taping: Can be used to unload damaged tissue.
- Ice and heat: Ice tendons and joints, heat muscles.
The most important aspect of any treatment plan is getting improvements every session. A good therapist isn't necessarily at fault if improvements aren't observed from session to session. The reason I say this is because the patient's symptoms may have been getting worse from week to week and if physiotherapy stopped the symptoms progressing, then this is still effective treatment. However if the patient is prepared to rest or modify the provocative activity then the therapist should get improvements in symptoms.
