Are you experiencing pain or stiffness in one of your muscles or joints? If you believe you’re dealing with a repetitive strain injury, physical therapy can help.
As a trusted provider of physical therapy in Oceanside, NY, Comprehensive Healthcare Group can help relieve the pain associated with a repetitive strain injury. We’ve served the community for over 25 years.
What Is a Repetitive Strain Injury?
A repetitive strain injury is any damage to your muscles, tendons, or nerves resulting from repetitive motion or use. It can occur anywhere in your body, but most often presents in the knees, elbows, wrists, fingers, thumbs, and shoulders.
RSI is an overarching term that encompasses several conditions, including:
- Tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
- Trigger finger or thumb
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Certain forms of back pain
- Shin splints
According to a National Health and Statistics Report, roughly 9% of people will experience repetitive strain injuries over any given three-month period.
Risk Factors for RSI
You have an increased risk of a repetitive strain injury if any of the following apply:
- You make repetitive movements for your job (for example, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 25% of all computer operators have carpal tunnel syndrome)
- You participate in contact sports or those that use repetitive movements
- You do rigorous exercise
Signs You Have a Repetitive Strain Injury
How do you know you have a repetitive strain injury? Because it encompasses so many various conditions, you could experience a wide variety of symptoms.
Pain
Pain is the most common symptom of repetitive strain injuries. Pain could manifest in any of the following ways:
- An area that feels tender to the touch
- Sensitivity to cold or heat
- Numbness, aching, burning, or a pins and needles feeling
- Pain while moving or stretching the affected muscle
Mobility
In many people, RSI can decrease mobility or make moving the affected area more painful. You might also feel a restlessness in the muscle or joint, forcing you to stretch or shake it out. In some forms of RSI, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, you may have difficulty lifting even lightweight items without pain or weakness.
Structural Changes
Because inflammation is a major source of repetitive strain injuries, it can cause structural changes to the muscle. For example, you might notice swelling. Many people also mistake the pain associated with a fractured bone or dislocation for repetitive strain injury.
Diagnosing Repetitive Strain Injury
If you believe you have a repetitive strain injury, physical therapy can diagnose the condition using various approaches.
Physical Examination
The standard practice for diagnosing RSI is through a physical examination. The provider will ask questions about your medical history, family, and lifestyle, such as whether you play sports. If they believe you likely have a repetitive strain injury, they can examine the area for any sign of injury.
Imaging Tests
In many cases, your physical therapist will use imaging tests to gain more confidence in their RSI diagnosis. Providers use the following tests to screen for repetitive strain injury:
- X-ray: While an X-ray can’t diagnose certain forms of RSI, such as carpal tunnel, it rules out differential causes, such as fractures.
- Magnetic resonance imaging: An MRI uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of your body, especially the soft tissue most often affected by RSI.
- Computed tomography scan: A CT uses a combination of special X-rays and advanced computer technology to produce detailed pictures of soft tissue, blood vessels, and bones. When paired with an injected dye, it can also highlight problems with nerves.
- Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses gel and sound ways to produce specialized images of suspected problem areas.
Using Physical Therapy for a Repetitive Strain Injury
How can you use physical therapy for repetitive strain injuries? Treatment often uses several different approaches.
Managing Pain
Professionals know treating repetitive strain injuries is difficult when the pain feels overwhelming. The first approach for any physical therapy should include managing pain. The most common approaches to pain management for RSI include:
- Over-the-counter pain medications: Popular pain medications such as Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage your pain.
- Corticosteroid injections: These injections can reduce local inflammation and thus temporarily eliminate or reduce pain.
- Ice and heat therapy: Your physical therapist can tell you when to use cold and heat to manage your pain.
Strengthening Muscles
The core of PT treatment includes strengthening muscles and joints through stretching exercises and other routines. Potential movement therapies include aquatic therapy, movement coaching, and joint mobilization.
Specialist Referrals
In the rare case that physical therapy can’t treat your RSI, or if you have a more severe case, your physical therapist can refer you to the appropriate specialist for surgical intervention.
Contact Comprehensive Healthcare Group for Physical Therapy in Valley Stream, NY
Could you benefit from physical therapy for your RSI? As a trusted source of physical therapy in Valley Stream, NY, Comprehensive Healthcare Group can help you live a life with less pain. From workers comp physical therapy to pain management, our compassionate and highly-trained team of doctors can help you live a better quality of life.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Learn more about the benefits of physical therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the most common questions about how physical therapy relates to RSI.
Does Physical Therapy Help RSI?
Physical therapy can successfully treat repetitive strain injuries in most patients. It’s particularly effective because it helps relieve the strain on your muscles and strengthen them against future injury.
Can You Exercise With Repetitive Strain Injuries?
You can exercise while you have a repetitive strain injury, provided you do so safely and in moderation. Medical professionals have extensively documented the physical and mental benefits of exercise, so set aside 15 minutes a day for your workout routine.
How Long Do Repetitive Strain Injuries Take to Heal?
A repetitive strain injury typically requires two to three months to heal. When you’re experiencing a repetitive strain injury, physical therapy can speed up your healing and protect you from further injury.