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Irritation from overuse or pressure within the carpal tunnel can cause
tendons to become inflamed. Even a slight swelling from inflammation can
affect all the structures within the carpal tunnel, impairing the movement
and function of both tendons and nerve. A vicious cycle of re-injury can be
set in motion as one continues to use their hands and irritate the tendons.
At this point, there may be pain, stiffness, and numbness in the hands and
fingers caused by pressure within the carpal tunnel. This condition may be
diagnosed as tendonitis or repetitive motion injury. When prolonged swelling
of the tendons and irritation of the median nerve results in impairment of
the median nerve function, full-blown carpal tunnel syndrome develops. The
symptoms of CTS include persistent numbness and pain in the hands that is
unrelieved with rest. In advanced cases the muscles of the thumb, which are
innervated by the median nerve, may atrophy. To develop a plan to prevent
RSI, think again of how this cycle of injury develops by irritation of
tendons and nerves through repeated motion. Obviously, avoiding repetitive
movements is one way to minimize the danger of developing RSI. However,
there are other factors to be considered as well. Irritation of tendons and
nerves often starts because there is a poor blood supply to the hands. When
blood supply is restricted by static body posture and/or poor body
mechanics, the danger of developing RSI is increased. Prevention of RSI
includes avoiding repetitive motion whenever possible, taking care to
stretch stressed areas or balance repetitive motions when you can't avoid
them, using good body mechanics, and resting appropriately. Repetitve strain
can be avoided! Read the entire article:
http://jeffreyburch.com/home/jb1/page/145/45
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