If you have any type of repetitive strain injury and want to treat it, you might be wondering exactly which practitioner to consult. The simple answer to that is that you need to consult a therapist who will effectively address the root cause of your injury and then give you practical advice which you would be able to implement while at work.
Today, many people have desk jobs and work extensive hours at their PC. Many of these people suffer from wrist and finger-related repetitive strain injuries. While its important to consult a physiotherapist that specialises in treating these particular conditions, there are certain things you can do to eliminate repetitive strain injuries:
Treating A Repetitive Strain Injury
#1 Ergonomics matters
Ensure that the ergonomics of your workstation is right so that it doesn’t put too much strain on different parts of your body. Today, there is a large variety of ergonomic office equipment to choose from. For example:
- If you have a more compact keyboard, that helps reduce the strain on your neck and shoulder area.
- Sometimes, it may be possible to fix a tennis elbow by using an upright mouse.
- You can also use wrist support arms and wrist support gloves, or even a keyboard tray to reduce the stress and strain on your arms while you are working at your computer.
#2 Take breaks regularly
- Most people are aware of this, but when they become caught up in the hustle and bustle of the day, they forget how important it is to actually get out of the chair and move away from the keyboard and their computer screen. That cuppa tea or coffee that you sip on while sitting at your desk doesn’t qualify as a break.
- It’s important to do regular exercises and stretches right through the day to provide some respite from the extensive hours you sit hunched over your PC screen.
#3 Focus on fitness
The human body was built for movement; one of the best ways to mitigate overuse injuries is via any form of exercise that moves your entire body and gets your blood circulation going. While those stretches you do during your break are great, they don’t help improve blood circulation in the manner that a focused exercise session does. The type of exercise you do will be entirely based on your physical fitness levels and your personal preferences.
The recommendation is that the exercises you do should involve both your lower and upper body. While acupuncture, massages, electrotherapy, medication, manipulation, and braces provide temporary relief from discomfort and pain, these don’t help fix the repetitive strain injury in any way.
Customised physiotherapy treatment
In order to permanently fix any kind of overuse injuries, you would need to consult and take treatment from a good physiotherapist. Look for a qualified and well-trained, experienced physiotherapist that operates out of a state-of-the-art centre. Today, many physiotherapists provide advice on workstation ergonomics and do this via a quick video call. The treatment they provide and the changes they recommend can go a long way in alleviating repetitive strain injury-related problems.
This methodical approach and the therapies they use become effective in getting rid of the problem for the long-term and on a more permanent basis. We at Insync Health Clinic have skilled and experienced physiotherapists on board and can provide excellent treatments and care.
If you are suffering from any type of repetitive strain injury, please contact us and book an appointment with our physiotherapist. For any more information on the different types of services we provide, feel free to contact us on (02) 7226 3432. You can also send us your queries via this online form.
Thanks for reading,
Insync Physiotherapy Team
(02) 7226 3432