Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a condition that occurs due to activities that requires repeated movements such as use of computer keyboard or musical instruments or a tool. It is also known as Occupational Overuse Syndrome (CTD) and Work Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD). RSI usually affects nerves, muscles and tendons in hands and arms. Treatments for RSI include active movement of all body joints through full range of motion.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a well known common condition in such patients. Patients diagnosed with RSI and related conditions like carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes, thoracic outletsyndro me and related diagnoses that have nerve-related origins also manifest neurological symptoms such as burning or allodynia. Carpal tunnel syndrome is derived from the word Carpus. Carpus is a word derived from the Greek word "karpos" that indicates "wrist." The tight space between the fibrous band and the wrist bone through which the median nerve that receives sensations from the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the hand passes is called the carpal tunnel. Any swelling or a change in position of the tissue within the carpal tunnel squeezes and irritates this median nerve causing tingling and numbness of the thumb, index, and the middle fingers, a condition known as "carpal tunnel syndrome."
Although everyone has an occasional bout of normal pains, they are bothered only when pains start to affect their life and interfere with their daily activities. Recently, a complex regional pain syndrome occurring as a result of trauma to a body part has been recognized and has been named Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Treatments for RSD includes active movement of joints through full range of motion a treatment approach similar to that for RSI patients. This also involves stretching tight muscles, strengthening weak posterior thoracic postural muscles, ergonomic modifications, postural retraining, abdominal muscle strengthening, reintegration of large proximal muscles into upper extremity activities, retraining old movement patterns, myofascial release or deep tissue work. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is popularly called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).It is a chronic, painful, progressive condition that affects skin, muscles and even bones. RSD can occur after an injury or even a surgery. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can occur with a nerve injury or without a nerve injury. RSD has been found common in the population between forty and sixty years of age. The typical RSD pain begins in one region or limb and then spread to other region or limbs. RSD symptoms include burning pain, excessive sweating, swelling, and sensitivity to touch.
Arthritis literally refers to any joint inflammation. Arthritis is not a single disease but a group of more than hundred conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic defect that weakens the muscles over time causing the loss of the ability to walk or sit at ease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes the inflammation of joints. It is painful and disabling leading to substantial loss of mobility. Pseudogout is another type of inflammation of joints caused by deposits of calcium pyrophosphate crystals around the joints. Sciatica is a painful condition caused by the compression of lumbar and sacral nerves in the lower back, buttock, and various parts of the leg and foot. The pain is often accompanied by numbness, muscular weakness and difficulty in moving the leg. Replace your keyboard with an ergonomic keyboard for relief and prevention of wrist pain.
