Most repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are not serious and can be resolved with the help of the trained physiatrists of Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine. Our physiatrists specialize in pain management and restoration of function through nonsurgical means, so, whether or not you know the cause of your discomfort, our medical team will help you return to your normal routine. The sooner you contact us, the less time it is likely to take for you to heal.
What are repetitive stress injuries?
Repetitive stress injuries result not from a single traumatic event, but rather from a gradual buildup of damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves. Symptoms of RSIs most frequently occur in the joints, taking the form of tendonitis, elbow epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and similar conditions.
Causes of Repetitive Strain Injuries
While risk factors, such as your age, genetic predisposition, occupation, or recreational activities may affect the likelihood of your developing a particular RSI, anyone can wind up in pain due to the repetitive stress of overuse. Our doctors will provide you with an accurate diagnosis of your problem and identify its specific cause so that we can implement the most effective treatment for all categories of repetitive strain injuries, including:
Occupational — stemming from extensive computer work, construction or factory work, landscaping, working as a house painter, house cleaner, plumber, or moverÂ
Sports-related — as a result of golf, tennis, running, basketball, baseball, swimming
Related to particular chores or activities, such as cooking, playing a musical instrument, taking care of a child or incapacitated patient, art work (painting, sculpting, pottery), gardening, housework
As a matter of fact, many RSIs are named for the sport or other activity they are associated with, for example:
- Mouse arm syndrome (computer, not rodent)
- Swimmer’s shoulder
- Jumper’s knee
- Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s elbow
- Skier’s thumb
- Baby wrist (from lifting an infant)
- Trigger finger (usually not from a gun, but from a gardening shears)
Whether your RSI has resulted from holding your baby in one position for long periods, planting perennials, swimming laps, playing tennis, or playing the violin, we are here to help.
Benefits of Seeking Treatment Early for Suspected Repetitive Strain Injury
Don’t wait until your loss of function is severe. Symptoms like the following are warnings to seek medical help promptly:
- Pain
- Redness and swelling
- Stiffness and/or restricted mobility
- Throbbing
- Tingling or numbness
- Weakness
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
We will help you modify your activities and techniques to improve your situation immediately and work with you to strengthen your muscles to avoid reactivating the problem.
Why Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Spine Medicine Treatments Are So Successful
Because we are focused on the most effective methods to treat your pain and dysfunction, we are always open to using innovative, as well as traditional therapies, to facilitate healing.
Customized physical therapy is a tried and true therapeutic technique that we use in most cases of repetitive stress injuries. As Cleveland Clinic’s Return to Work Services (RTWS) has shown, physical therapy can make a tremendous difference when it comes to preparing employees who have suffered repetitive strain injuries at work.
Like Cleveland Clinic, our doctors use physical therapy (PT) to lessen targeted stress areas when employees return to work. We have also found that PT works equally well in patients who have developed RSIs during sports, household, or recreational activities, especially when we include electrical stimulation as part of the process.
In order to relieve pain and speed healing, we also use other one or more complementary medical therapies, such as:
- Acupuncture
- Physical therapy and modalities
- Ultrasound-guided injections of a corticosteroid and analgesics
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy
Our goal is to get you up and running as quickly as possible and we have found that using multiple therapies is usually the most effective way to get rapid, lasting results.
Contact Our RSI Specialists Today to Start Feeling Better Tomorrow