Don't Let Your Stress Reliever Become A Repetitive Strain Injury!

Many of us engage in activities that help us unwind from a busy day or escape from everyday stress...and we all need to have a getaway. Whether it's browsing the internet to connect with friends and family, exercising, playing video games, sewing or playing music, too much of a good thing can lead to serious consequences.

For me, it's playing guitar, so I am writing this as much for myself as anyone else reading. Now I am no great musician, but learning a new song or getting it to sound somewhat recognizable is quite rewarding and relaxing to me (even if it drives my wife crazy at times). But, could spending hours on end without a break be causing any harm? YOU BET IT CAN!!!

Repetitive Strain Injuries can occur from almost any activity that requires doing the same thing over and over again...even just sitting in the same position at the computer. Joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons or nerves can become irritated or inflamed. Spinal joints can become fixated or lose their normal alignment and cause stress or irritation to spinal nerves...ouch! Conditions such as tendinitis, bursitis or nerve impingement, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can develop causing pain in the injured area and even numbness, tingling or loss of muscle strength.

So what can be done to avoid these consequences?

• Treat your activity as an athletic event - a good warm-up should be done prior to beginning. That can be as simple as doing some stretches. For other guitar players and musicians, stretch the hands, wrists and spine then progress into playing some scales slowly. Don't just jump in and start banging out power cords.
• Build strength and endurance - if you just started running last week, then don't expect to run a marathon tomorrow. General strengthening and endurance related activities in addition to activity specific exercises should be included. Ask your health care provider about specifics.
  
• Give it a rest - take frequent breaks. If you know you can play music, sit in front of the computer, or play checkers (whatever the activity) for 30 minutes before you experience discomfort then take a stretch break and change positions after 20 minutes. Don't think you can "play through the pain" and expect things to heal properly. Pain is your body's signal that something is wrong or that it can't adapt any further. Listen to those signals.

If you read this too late and you are already experiencing persistent symptoms then see your doctor. Doctors of Chiropractic are well trained in diagnosing and treating patients suffering from repetitive strain. The last thing you want to do is allow an avoidable and/or treatable problem to keep you away from what you love to do.