Lothian Repetitive Strain Injury Support Group
C/O Lothian TUCRC, Basement, 26 Albany StreetEdinburgh, EH1 3OH:
Telephone: 01501 743140 (home/evening); 0131 556 7318 (LTUCRC)

Rehablitation : Activities & Treatments which may assist.

Treatments

The process of getting a diagnosis can be something of a merry-go-round if your condition does not have any recognizable clinical features. An initial examination of the painful area will look for tenderness and swelling, symptomatic of conditions such as Tenosynovitis or Epicondylitis. Ideally your GP will refer you to a specialist who has taken an interest in RSI type conditions, usually a rheumatologist or neurologist.
 
Once a diagnosis has been established, appropriate treatment should be administered. It is important to aware that often a combination of treatments may be applicable in individual cases. Depending on your diagnosis, some of the treatment options available include: steroid injections, physiotherapy, surgery, osteopathy, chiropractic, deep tissue massage and other alternative therapies. However initially, some common treatment options are typically used. Designed to stop pain and help restore strength and mobility, they include rest, heat and cold, massage, electrical stimulation, medication and exercise.
 
Common sense suggests that one should stop the activity at the root of the problem so the first step is to rest the injured limb or limbs and to cut down their use generally, i.e. from domestic tasks and other activities too. Despite this, the pain may get worse for up to a month after starting to rest. Pain relief can be in the form of paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, taken in accordance with the manufacturers instructions on the label (However painkillers should not be taken to allow you to continue with the activity which is causing the problem.)
 
Gentle exercises and relaxation techniques will help to keep the injured limbs, and the body generally, in good shape and avoid loss of power in the muscles. The return to full use of effected limbs should be gradual. Treatment may include exercises to improve posture or to relieve pain. Recovery may have its ups and downs in what is essentially a process of rehabilitation to which the patient must contribute by adopting a positive attitude and by showing patience and perseverance. A relaxation technique acceptable to the patient will help, as may counselling if the need for it exists.
 
The immobilisation of affected limbs is sometimes recommended by the use of slings, splints, gloves or braces. Splints need to be designed specifically for the injury by a specialist in overuse injuries and their use regarded as supplementary to the more important requirement for rest. Remember, however, that muscle wastage may result from prolonged immobilisation therefore the use of splints and supportive bandages is normally only a short term measure.
 
Treatment of RSI is frequently difficult. It is often confused with arthritis and this can be dangerous. Beyond a certain point the condition may be too far gone to benefit from steroid injections, (e.g. cortisone) and anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs. Operations for carpal tunnel syndrome may not give the expected relief and are of doubtful value for genuine overuse injuries. The same may be said of local infra-red treatments.
 
Physiotherapy (possibly including ANT adverse neural tension), hydrotherapy, occupational therapy and other forms of therapy may facilitate rehabilitation but one cannot be sure unless the treatment is administered by a therapist experienced in treating overuse injuries. Otherwise the treatment may be counter-productive. Usually treatment of the shoulders and neck are effective, but active treatments of the forearms are less so. Relaxation is also an aid to recovery.
 
Due to the lack of consensus among members of the medical profession about the nature, diagnosis and treatment of the various RSI conditions, the Association has had difficulty in finding doctors and consultants to whom it could refer its members. The Association, therefore, is unable to recommend practitioners of any kind but it is seeks to obtain information about doctors, consultants and physiotherapists who are sympathetic and have treated RSI so that this information can be passed on to sufferers. Diagnosis may be established by clinical judgement of the doctor with the help of tests either to confirm the nature of the injury or to rule out other disorders. Physiotherapists with experience in this field are also able to make an assessment of patients.

(With thanks to the RSI Association)

 

 

Physiotherapy

A good starting point for the treatment of new sufferers of RSI is physiotherapy which certainly be considered when early symptoms appear. It can at this stage be effective in relieving pain, increasing their range of movements and start on the road to recovery and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy gets the blood flowing again in injured tissues allowing the muscles to release. This along with gentle stretching exercises can relax the sufferer and give them the confidence to continue with this type of Self treatment is a major part in gaining improvement, as the stretches need to be repeated at regular intervals throughout the day, as directed by the therapist.

 

Sufferers should always first try the NHS via their GP for physiotherapy treatment it can be expensive to go private.

 

For information on where you can find a physiotherapist in your area of Scotland contact:-

 


THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY
21 QUEEN STREET EDINBURGH EH2 1JX 
Tel 0131 226 1441 Fax 0131 2261551 

 

Tai Chi

 

Tai Chi originates in china and is a slow rhythmic form of exercise.

 

It is a gentle non-violent art but can it be useful and an  extremely effective form of  self defence. Classes and tutors can be found all over Scotland. More information for beginners classes can be found on www.toaist-tai-chi-gb.org.

 

The Taoist Tai Chi Society is a registered charity in the UK

 

The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain is an association of practitioners of recognised styles of Tai Chi Chuan.

 

The Secretary in Scotland can be found at

 

Edinburgh & Lothians:

Clubhouse Gilmerton

0131 666 1877 (Answerphone leave your number and someone will contact you)

 

Glasgow:

 

1 Littlemill Drive
Balmoral Gardens
Crookston, Glasgow G53 7GF

 

0141 810 3482 or  Mobile: 07774 985411

e.mail: secretary@taichiunion.com

 

 

There are many variations of Tai Chi practices through out the world it is one of the form of self help some of our members have tried.

 

 

Shiatsu.

The following is an excerpt from the European Shiatsu Federation website

What is Shiatsu?

 

Philosophical Background

Shiatsu derives its theoretical and practical roots from the ancient traditions of Far Eastern healing and philosophy. Today it is an autonomous treatment method which originated in Japan, and is influenced by Chinese and Western knowledge.

 

Aim

The aim of shiatsu is to promote the processes of self healing and personal growth through balancing the circulation of the body's energy: Ki or Chi.

The well being of a person as a unity of body, mind and spirit depends on the harmonic flow of this energy.

 

Principle

Shiatsu treatment is a form of communication through touch, based on techniques of energetic (ki) evaluation.

 

Form

The form of shiatsu treatment is the application of sustained pressure with thumbs, hands, elbows, knees and feet to meridians and tsubo and to other energetic and physical structures.

The form also includes rotations and stretches of limbs, joints and meridians. The posture and awareness of the practitioner are grounded in the abdomen (the Hara). Shiatsu is usually given on a soft mat on the floor.

 

Effect

Shiatsu enhances self awareness and sensitivity, and releases tension. It also supports and nourishes life-force.

 

Application

Applied by a practitioner with appropriate training, shiatsu promotes general well being and can be used as a preventative health care method.

It can also assist people through crisis, difficult life phases and processes of change. It can treat people presenting with a wide variety of physical conditions.

 

Physical Treatments (Chiropractic and Osteopathy)

 

 

Some members reported that they had attended chiropractics and or osteopaths to gain relief.

 

Both of these practitioners use manipulation to bring about the neuromusculoskeletal relief in spine, joints and tendons they may take an x-ray prior to treatment for additional information.

 

They are recognised by the NHS and sufferers may able get treatment via their GP.

 

Questions you may be asked

Is your work repetitive?

Does it involve heavy lifting?

Does it involve bending and twisting?

Does it involve adopting awkward postures?

What tasks cause you the most discomfort?

 

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.