Chiropractic is more than spinal manipulation. More people are choosing chiropractic for their pain symptoms, conditions, and injuries. Many are exchanging pills and surgery for all-natural non-invasive medicine known as chiropractic. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications and do not perform surgery. But they are trained to recognize when an injury is outside the scope of their practice and will refer an individual to the appropriate medical specialist.
Here are a few reasons why individuals are trying out chiropractic:
Doctors recommend chiropractic
The American College of Physicians recommends chiropractic and other non-drug treatments, as a first-line treatment for chronic and acute low back pain. Spinal manipulation is strongly recommended as a natural remedy. It is highly effective when combined with gentle exercises like Pilates, yoga, and tai chi.
Studies show spinal manipulation highly effective
The Journal of the American Medical Association cited spinal manipulation to be highly beneficial in treating lower back pain. Results are consistently showing that chiropractic treatment, specifically spinal manipulation, is effective in helping low back pain and improving function while minimizing pain.
95% Return for treatment
In the 2016 Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Report, 95% of people who used chiropractic say that it is an effective treatment. 97% said that if back or neck pain returned they would seek chiropractic treatment again. More than half of adults that have never seen a chiropractor said they would seek chiropractic treatment if they developed neck or back pain.
Chiropractic rated higher than All other treatments for back pain
A Consumer Reports survey ranked chiropractic as a top treatment compared to medications for back pain, osteoarthritis, and neck pain relief.
Individuals prefer a whole-body approach that includes:
Lifestyle recommendations
Dietary advice
Supplements for pain, immobility, and range of motion problems.
Many said they opted for natural treatments like chiropractic to avoid harmful and undesirable side effects of prescription medication.
Opioids
With the Centers for Disease Control declaring prescription abuse an epidemic, individuals are searching for safer options. Natural treatments are becoming more popular to avoid the potential for addiction. And not just addiction but the often side effects that come with prescription meds, like constipation, brain fog, nausea, dry mouth, etc.
Spine surgery rising Individuals seeking the less invasive option
Spinal fusion surgery has been on a steep rise, increasing by about 500%. Therefore many are going for natural treatment like chiropractic to avoid surgery. Chiropractic looks at the whole person along with advice on lifestyle habits, dietary adjustments, and exercise programs. The bottom line is it works. It is less invasive, and yes, it is drug-free, but most of all, it is effective.
How adjustments work
When the vertebrae become misaligned, they place pressure on the nerves and cause pain, swelling, awkward movement/s, etc. This is called a subluxation. Chiropractors use their repertoire of techniques that equal a form of spinal adjustment to treat the subluxations. An adjustment means that the vertebra is returned to the proper position in the spine. When the vertebrae are adjusted, tiny pockets of gas are released from the joints, sometimes make a popping/releasing noise. It is the same sound when cracking knuckles.
The benefits
Individuals with the following conditions have found chiropractic to be helpful:
Arthritis
Bursitis and
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Leg pain
Pain or stiffness in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, hips, legs, feet.
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Sports injuries
Tendonitis
Trauma injuries like auto accidents
Other Services
The main method of treatment is spinal adjustment, many chiropractors use a variety of therapies to treat patients, including:
Health Coaching
Exercise
Diet
Massage
Weight loss
Stress management
Chiropractic medicine is more than just spinal manipulation. Chiropractors use a variety of treatments to help the body heal itself and return individuals to a pain-free and healthy life.
Knee pain chiropractic: Around 40 percent of running injuries are knee injuries. They fall under a general term of runner�s knee. This includes chondromalacia patellae also referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFMS). Other knee injuries include iliotibial band syndrome and plica syndrome.
Rest and ice are common therapies, but when that doesn�t work or when pain and mobility issues comeback, chiropractic is a tried and true treatment option. Structural issues that affect the knees are often very responsive to chiropractic treatment.
In the case of chondromalacia patellae and other knee problems, it has proven to reduce pain and help improve the condition significantly, providing increased mobility and flexibility.
Anatomy
The knee is constructed to take the impact of the body�s weight when bending and moving. Under the knee is a layer of cartilage that is a natural shock absorber. Injury/s, overuse, aging, and other conditions can cause damage to the cartilage. The condition causes pain and impaired mobility, especially when walking up or downstairs. The pain can be reduced with rest and ice, but sometimes it’s not enough.
Common treatments include:
Chiropractic
Physical therapy
Medications
Surgery
Symptoms
Common symptoms include pain at the front of the knee. It can be described as a dull ache deep in the knee.
This pain can be made worse when:
Sitting with the knee bent for a long time
Squatting
Kneeling
Walking up and downstairs
The more the knee is in use the worse it is. Rest and ice work fairly quickly to help relieve the pain. But if the pain persists even with rest and ice, more aggressive treatment is the next step. Traditional doctors prescribe medication and surgery. But now more individuals are gravitating to a drug-free, less invasive treatment, like chiropractic.
Causes
The exact cause of chondromalacia patellae is still unknown. The condition has been linked to several factors.
Overuse and repetitive stress placed on the joint. This is seen in sports and physical activities that involve jumping and running.
Poor muscle control when the muscles that surround the knee and hip don�t operate properly making the tracking of the kneecap off balance.
Trauma such as a fracture or dislocation.
Figure 106. Patellar tendonitis (jumper�s knee).
Risks
A person�s risk of developing chondromalacia patellae can increase based on certain criteria.
Young adults and adolescents can acquire the injury as they’re still growing.
Older individuals with knee pain and possible arthritis are more susceptible to injury.
Gender is a risk factor, as women are twice as likely to develop the condition compared to men. Doctors theorize this is due to the skeletal structure of a woman as the pelvis is wider increasing the angle where the bones of the knee joint meet.
Those that participate in sports that involve a lot of jumping and running have a higher risk. Particularly if the individual increases their level of training.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic treatment for chondromalacia patellae includes nutritional intervention as well as adjustments, stretches and exercises. The treatment is focused on stretching shortened hamstrings and adjusting the sacroiliac joint.
The aim is to improve the tracking of the kneecap and increase motor control. Soft tissue work can help individuals with knee pain. The whole-body approach that chiropractic provides goes beyond relief from knee pain but curing or reducing the condition completely.
The Cost-effectiveness
Why see a chiropractor?
There are plenty of reasons why. From:
General health
Aches
Pains
Injury
Increased movement
Strength
Optimal health
Millions are now turning to chiropractic for natural healing, relief, and whole-body wellness. Some may think the price could hinder their decision to seek chiropractic. Lack of insurance and the number of treatments are two of the common reasons patients think it’s too expensive.
However, individuals need to understand the cost of other treatment options like medications and surgery that end up costing more than dollars with all the negative side-effects. Here are three reasons to visit a chiropractor, and the savings that come with it.
Prevention
Chiropractic promotes optimal health through prevention that is increasingly attracting those striving to remain younger, longer. It promotes whole-body healing through spinal adjustments/joint manipulations to increase mobility and optimize the body’s performance. It decreases blood pressure and reduces the chance of headaches.
Avoiding these health issues saves tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Seeing a professional chiropractor enables a person to stay healthy and enjoy a more active lifestyle because their back, bones, and joints are in optimal condition.
Re-Injured
Millions of bodies are injured from a variety of mishaps and accidents.
Sports injuries
Car accidents
Work injuries
Slips
Falls
Our backs, knees, ankles, hips, and feet take a beating. Chiropractic for injury/s is a wise choice as it promotes healing, decreases dependence on medications, and minimizes the chance of a recurrence. It also strengthens the other parts of the surrounding area of the body and not just the injured area. Treating injuries through chiropractic decreases money spent on expensive medicine and reduces time off work.
Chronic
Many types of medical conditions are ongoing, with no cure in sight. Daily pain, loss of strength and mobility are conditions that individuals power through and learn to live with when they don’t want to continually take medication and feel horrible. This is where chiropractic medicine can shine, as it’s all-natural. The aim is to get the body to react the way it is supposed to and heal itself.
An experienced chiropractor can treat these medical conditions by building a customized treatment plan to manage the symptoms with drug-free pain management. Adjustments to the afflicted area, proper anti-inflammation diet, and at-home exercises reduce pain symptoms and increases mobility. Chiropractic is a productive treatment for various injuries and medical conditions, combined with preventative therapy to maintain and prolong wellness.
Fender benders/automobile accidents are the number one cause of spinal cord injuries. Auto accidents have accounted for more than a third of all reported cases of spine injuries. On average, individuals drive 30-40 miles every day. We love our cars, and we love to drive. Nothing throws us out of our normal world faster than a fender bender.
Auto accidents also account for other injuries like:
Whiplash
Spinal fractures
Herniated discs
A crash causes bodily injury, stress, and, in some cases, ongoing legal matters. However, these injuries don’t present symptoms until weeks or even months after the accident. With the vast number of automobiles on the road, as well as drivers being distracted, increases an individual’s chances of being involved in an accident. If a fender bender happens to you, it is important to recognize and understand what has happened to keep you safe and your injuries to a minimum.
Understand the Situation
The way you react seconds after a crash can impact the situation tremendously. Determine where you are injured, and if you are in any immediate danger. If for example there is a fire get out fast. Otherwise, stay inside.
Analyze Injuries
How bad are the injuries? Even if you feel fine, your head, neck, and back could still have been impacted. Identify where you hurt, and the intensity of the pain.
Wait for the Ambulance/Police
Try to stay as calm as possible inside your car/truck and wait for the police and ambulance. If your vehicle has flipped and you are stuck from the seatbelt, stay put and wait for someone that knows what to do and can see what is happening. A good portion of head and neck injuries happen when the occupant/s release their seat belts after a crash, not realizing that it can exacerbate an injury or create new ones.
Inform EMT’s
Once paramedics arrive, explain if you can, the areas of pain and injury. If you’ve previously suffered from injury or medical condition to the neck, back, or spine, let them know, as there is increased risk to individuals who already deal with medical conditions or bodily injuries.
This information helps formulate how they will take the individual out of the vehicle and what type of emergency treatment to utilize. Be specific when telling the paramedics, use simple language and the 1-10pain scale to describe the level of pain and discomfort.
Chiropractor
If the injuries are minimal and you are released, be thankful. Still make an appointment with a chiropractor/physical therapist that specializes in fender bender treatment/therapy. Since some of these injuries can take a few days to show up, the fender bender could have impacted:
Bones
Joints
Ligaments
Nerves
This could have gone undiscovered at the initial post-crash examination. Therefore, ask for a complete examination, and talk with the chiropractor no matter how strange or insignificant the question may be. The chiropractor will understand what you are trying to explain. Your chiropractor may use a combination of spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and other techniques as part of a customized treatment program.
Minimize the chances
While we cannot control when a fender bender takes place we can take measures to guard against the occurrence, and give ourselves a higher chance of avoiding injury.
Always wear a seatbelt
Get out of the habit of distracted driving
Maintain your vehicle’s brakes and tires
Pay attention to traffic signs
Plan ahead if you know of construction closures so you can avoid those highly congested areas
Drive the speed limit depending on the traffic and weather conditions. Be courteous and think about all the drivers and people all around you. Maintaining a clear head and following this little bit of advice, you can minimize the chance of being in an auto accident or being seriously injured. We all have to be somewhere, if we cooperate we can get there on time, safely, and efficiently.
It’s the weekend in the backyard doing some chores, grilling, etc, while several kids play and jump on a� nearby trampoline. The joviality from all this fun is filled with laughter, screams of joy, and other sounds or game instructions from one child to another. Then there is silence. The kids are huddled around their friend. One of the children fell off flat on their back.
The paramedics arrive and immobilize the head, neck, and spine strapping the child to a backboard and off to the hospital where there is no severe damage, just some mild bruising but everything turned out ok. This was a made-up scenario but unfortunately, emergency room doctors are seeing and treating this type of injury more and more.
Statistics
The statistics of the number of trampoline-related injuries treated in emergency rooms.
A simple analysis of the above stats is shocking. This means that since 1995, the number of injuries has increased between 30 and 45 percent. The CDC states that around 10 percent of trampoline injuries affect the head and neck. Many injuries are minor like bruising, scrapes and whatnot but some can be serious like broken bones, blunt-force trauma, and even paralysis.
For Home
Most of us see trampolines as a toy but are not aware of the dangers that come with it. Most injuries take place on trampolines purchased for home use. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents never let their children use a friend’s trampoline. While the American Medical Association recommends children should not be allowed to play/jump on a trampoline, even with adult supervision.
Trampoline Safety
Equipment Tips
A full-size trampoline consists of flexible fabric attached to a metal frame with springs, hooks, and a safety mesh/net. Most are around three feet off the ground. Consider the following safety tips:
Read the information and instructions provided by the trampoline manufacturer. Give this information to anyone who will be using the trampoline.
The proper placement of the trampoline is very important. Look at the location and surrounding area. Don’t place the trampoline close to a house/building, playground equipment, a swimming pool, the street, electrical lines, outdoor appliances, and plants/trees.
Remember a child can bounce 10 feet or higher in the air from a trampoline.
Make sure the springs, hooks, and frame are secured and covered with sturdy shock-absorbing pads.
There should be shock-absorbing material all-around and under the trampoline.�Use the owner�s manual for recommended materials.
Stores where trampolines are sold often sell special padding.
Check the trampoline for wear and tear often. Which include the frame’s structure like the screws, bolts springs, hooks, and fabric.
Using the Trampoline
Step-ladders, boxes, and chairs to climb on the trampoline should be kept out of reach to prevent children from using the equipment without permission. And they should be moved out of the way once the individuals are on.
Do not use the trampoline when darkness begins to take over like sunset. Individuals cannot see and when up in the air judging distance and where the trampoline is can be difficult/impossible.
Before use, warm-up with a few exercises. To make sure muscles are loose and ready to react.
Children need adult supervision at all times. Judging distances, foreseeing danger and quick reaction in situations that can become dangerous require an adult.
At least two adults are needed to spot the individuals and help prevent anyone from falling off.
Most want to jump together but too many people on a trampoline can be dangerous. Limit the number of people to where they can bounce safely without bumping into someone else, or falling off from lack of space.
CDC reports that half of all injuries happen when more than two people use a trampoline. Usually, this happens with children that are lightweight, still not fully coordinated, and can’t control how they move, especially in the air.
Learn how to land properly.
Unless a professional or expertly trained do not try somersaults, backflips, stunts, or crazy acrobatics.
Don’t jump or bounce off the trampoline.
Professional Help
There are professional gymnastic centers that have trampolines with padding all around and also give lessons/classes on proper usage. This could help a great deal, as it could be a safe alternative instead of home use. But if not then take the classes which could save a trip to an emergency room!
As El Paso�s Chiropractic Rehabilitation & Integrated Medicine Center, we are focused on treating patients after debilitating injuries and chronic pain conditions. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
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Spinal cord injuries occur more in the neck or cervical spine. Around 60% of cases involve the neck, followed by the mid-back or thoracic spine that averages to around 32% of injuries. Although most people experience low-back pain,�only 9% of spinal injuries occur in the low back and tailbone or lumbosacral spine.
Damage to the spinal cord not only affects the area where the point of impact occurred. The primary injury can also�damage cells, dislocate the vertebrae and cause spinal compression.�It can also trigger secondary injuries, that cause a series of biological changes. This can happen within weeks or months after the injury.
Back/spine injuries now rank either second or third overall for workplace injury/s. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, every year there are over 900,000 cases of back injuries that account for 1 in 4 non-fatal job-related injuries that involve work days missed.�
Backcare & Standing Work
Back injuries can be painful, debilitating, and life-changing. 8 out of 10 people will experience a back/spine injury that can lead to chronic pain and health conditions. We all need to know, especially those of us that work standing up is firsthand knowledge of how important it is learning how to improve spine health and take steps to prevent back injury.
In order to prevent low back disorders means that there needs to be an understanding�of the spine when working along with knowledge of back injury risk factors.
Back/Spine Basics
The spine is a flexible structure that consists of 24 bones that move, shift, and contort, called vertebrae. There are:
7 in the neck
12 in the chest
5 in the low back
These are connected by ligaments and separated by pads of cartilage, called intervertebral discs. These are the shock absorbers that allow the flexible movement of the spine, specifically at the neck and the low back.
When we stand, the spine naturally curves inwards and outwards. The inward curve is called lordosis, and curves towards the front of the body at the lower back and neck area. The outward curve is called kyphosis, and curves towards the back of the body around the chest area. When we bend over the vertebrae of the lower back change position and shift from being in lordosis to kyphosis when completely bent over and then back again when upright. With this information, it is easy to see how much we move around, bend, stretch and reach during a regular day. The lower back gets used the most, which is why low back pain and injury/s and disorders are the most common.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health concluded: �muscle strain is the most common type of work or nonwork back pain� (Bernard, 1997). This is good news for chiropractors and ergonomists because it means that we can find ways to reduce/change the way we work and the effort involved to minimize injury risks.
Keeping the intervertebral discs healthy plays an extremely significant role in preventing back/spine injuries. If these discs get damaged and start to degenerate,�flexibility begins to fade away, stiffness and soreness sets in and the ability to absorb the daily pressure/forces that comes with standing, moving and working.
There is not a normal blood supply to the intervertebral discs. Instead, as the discs change shape when we move around, the nutrients that they need are absorbed into the discs as the waste products are pumped out. This is why moving the body and staying active is very important. Because as you move you are literally feeding your spine and expelling the bad stuff. Intermittently changing postures and positions helps change the force and weight on the discs so that not all one area is taking the brunt of the force. Remember to move around and keep your spine as healthy as possible.
Risk factors
Major risk factors for back injuries include:
Awkward postures
Bending
Twisting�
Heavy physical tasks
Lifting
Forceful movements
Whole-body vibration aka W.B.V.
Static or unmoving work postures
These risks can happen separately or could be a combination of them all, and if these risks are taking place at any one time the higher probability of an injury/s.
Standing Work
When we stand, the pressure on the�lower back discs is relatively low. Not that there is pressure but it is much lower than when seated with an unsupported backrest like bleachers for example. Standing up uses 20% more energy than sitting does. When we need to bend down to pick up objects or reach to get overhead objects there is an increase in the forces and pressure on the lower back, and this is when an injury is likely to happen.
Tips to Minimize Injury
Here are some tips to help minimize your risks of back/spine injury when you are doing standing work:
Moving around is important to keep the spine healthy. Moving will help improve circulation and reduce muscle fatigue.
Taking consistent short breaks will help reduce fatigue, discomfort and work other muscles.
Gentle stretching during some of these breaks helps to ease muscle tension and gets circulation pumping.
Pay attention to your posture and the way you stand as you work.
Lean on a solid support to help reduce fatigue when you are standing with a support that you can put your back up against, lean against sideways, lean forwards against and to hold on to will increase safety.
Keep your back strong and try to do exercises that will strengthen the back muscles. Activities, like Yoga, Crossfit, HITT or workouts focused on the spine for flexibility are the way to go.
Maintain a stable posture with your feet on a firm surface.
Avoid twisting the lower back around to reach for things.
Move your feet so that your whole body changes position.
Minimize bending, but when you have to, bend for objects in front of you and bend at the knees instead of the back. When bending for objects that are to the side of you change your stance so you are facing the object, and then bend down at the knees.
Don’t overreach but if you have to reach up to a high area to get something use a step-ladder.
Don’t reach over objects and move the obstruction or change your position before reaching for whatever it is.
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The one size fits all method just doesn�t cut it. A more focused approach for every individual leads to better results. Patients find that placing their bodies in certain positions and certain physical activities can:
Activate
Aggravate
Deactivate�their back pain.
Patients also find the pain being either better or worse. Understanding why sitting, standing, and walking can change the severity of low back pain can be helpful in diagnosis. These are important cues that help to diagnose and treat low back pain. People sit, stand, and walk all day. This is why so much research has been conducted on how these specific positions and activities contribute to low back pain.
In today’s workforce, many jobs place workers at a higher risk for a back injury. The list is pretty extensive and may surprise you! Individuals that have suffered a� neck or back injury at work know the cost goes beyond lost wages. The impact of these injuries on employees, employers, and the economy is staggering.
In a report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.8 million cases of non-fatal occupational injuries and in 2018.� Of these cases, more than 50% lost time from work, transferred to a different job, or restricted work activity. Not all of these cases were spine-related injuries. However, 880,000 cases were back pain-related injuries.
The World Health Organization’s International Labour Office says that the problem is global.
Musculoskeletal diseases are a very common part of 270 million non-fatal work/job accidents where employees missed at least 3 workdays.
Risky Jobs
Occupational safety experts gather all kinds of information that they factor. This includes job requirements, work environment, and work station set up. In compiling the list of risky occupations, here are some of the criteria:
Heavy physical work
Forceful lifting movements
Bending
Twisting
Awkward work postures
Whole-body vibration
Static work postures like standing/sitting but never changing position compounds the risks to workers.
Two occupations that lead the list of jobs placing workers at the highest risk are construction and nurses/nursing home workers. Workers in both of these jobs tend to share the under-reporting of work-related injuries. This happens as the employees fear they will lose their job and cannot afford to take any time off.
Construction Workers
Employees at a construction site are repeatedly lifting, bending, carrying, pulling, and tugging. These repetitive movements lead to overuse injuries and back strain/sprains are a common part of this. More than 30% of workers have to miss job time. Those that must climb ladders or work on scaffolds have a greater risk of falling. This is where some serious spinal injuries can occur, causing disability and sometimes being fatal.
Nurses/Nursing Workers
Nursing homes and employment opportunities are growing from elderly population growth. These workers are at high risk for back pain and spine injury. This comes from transferring patients’ from their beds, bathtub, and bathroom facilities. All these actions require lifting, carrying, holding, pulling, pushing, and turning. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports nearly all back and shoulder injuries are the result of moving patients.
Warehouse Workers
This is another job that requires lifting, along with using forceful movements, bending, twisting, carrying, and placing the body in awkward positions. Sometimes these workers have to drive a truck or an industrial vehicle that creates whole-body vibration. Continual exposure to vibration can cause backache and soreness that can lead to lost work time.
Dentists and Surgeons
Both of these professions involve prolonged standing, stooping, bending, and awkward body positioning. Not to mention the mental strain that diverts the doctor’s attention to proper posture and body mechanics that results in injury and pain.
Landscapers
The American Chiropractic Association puts landscapers in the top 10 list of jobs that cause back pain. This job puts these workers at a greater risk for cumulative trauma disorders. All the tasks that a landscaper has to do that include hedge trimming, tree pruning, and planting. These actions/movements involve lifting, reaching, bending, and stooping. This is a perfect set up for an overuse back injury.
Hand tools that get used over and over can cause painful conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. Thoracic outlet syndrome is when the nerves and blood vessels become compressed between the neck and shoulder.
Store Cashier
Grocery and retail store cashiers require workers to stand in one place for a long time. This along with the repetitive motions of scanning, typing, opening, closing combined with bagging and lifting bags over and over can cause neck, shoulder, back, leg and foot pain. Over half of checkout workers complain of back pain.
We may not be able to instantly change our occupation, but there are steps to help prevent neck and back injuries. The key is workplace ergonomics and safety. Be proactive to help reduce workplace risk for neck and back injury and share what you learn with co-workers.
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Injuries that are caused by repetitive movements often develop gradually.�This is the time when the symptoms are mild and come and go, so the individual just works through it and doesn�t think about it. It�s�not until the symptoms get very painful and debilitating that the individual realizes that something is wrong, and then they seek medical attention. Don�t wait, as soon as you feel a tingle, slight pinch, or a little soreness�and you feel that it stems from your work�s repetitive movements, get in touch with a doctor or chiropractor before it becomes excruciating.
Certain jobs or�daily�activities require us to do the same action over and over again. It can be enjoyable but these repetitive movements can cause serious injury to the body. Most affected are the:
Hands
Wrists
Elbows
Shoulders
Neck
Back
These injuries are quite common in the United States and are referred to as Repetitive Motion Disorders (RMDs).
Repetitive Motion Disorders
Repetitive motion disorders are musculoskeletal conditions caused by movements/motions done over and over. RMDs can be caused by:
Muscle/ligament friction from unnatural or awkward motions like twisting the arm, wrist, hands or other areas of the body where repeated motions are used.
Incorrect posture/positioning when doing these movements.
Overdoing it, either trying to go faster or with added strength that really strains the muscles.
RMD’s cause symptoms because of muscle fatigue, inflammation, and swelling or compression of the nerve’s tissues. Examples include:
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the tunnel of bones and ligaments in the wrist begin to pinch the nerves in the fingers and the muscles around the thumb.
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa that’s between the tendon and skin, or between a tendon and bone/s.
Tendonitis�is inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon/s.
Epicondylitis (elbow pain) is inflammation, soreness, and pain on the outside of the upper arm around the elbow.
Ganglion cyst occurs when tissues surrounding specific joints get inflamed and swell up with fluid.
Tenosynovitis happens when the lining of the sheath that surrounds a tendon gets inflamed.
Trigger finger can be a painful or painless clicking, snapping, or locking of a finger/s.
All of the above conditions can be caused by other means and not repetitive movement/s.
RMD Work Risk
Jobs vary all over, but if repetitive movements are how the job gets done those individuals have a higher risk to get a repetitive motion disorder. There are professions and activities that increase the risk that include:
Assembly/factory linework
Carpentry
Computer work like typing, digital/graphic design where a digital pad/pen and mouse are the main tools that have to keep moving
Pain, soreness, pinching and stiffness in the fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, neck and back
Tingling or numbness.
Swelling or redness around the area.
Loss of flexibility and strength.
There could be no visible sign of injury or pain, but individuals find that the normal and easy tasks they’re used to become more and more difficult to do.
Injuries that are caused by repetitive movements often develop gradually. This is the time when the symptoms are mild and come and go, so the individual just works through it and doesn’t think about it. It’s not until the symptoms get very painful and debilitating that the individual realizes that something is wrong, and then they seek medical attention. Don’t wait, as soon as you feel a tingle, slight pinch, or a little soreness and you feel that it stems from your work’s repetitive movements, get in touch with a doctor or chiropractor before it becomes excruciating.
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Safely Operating Tools that Cause Whole-Body Vibration
There are power tools that vibrate no matter what and�transmit vibration into the operator�s arms and hands, legs, and feet.�Using a tool like this can cause a condition called white finger or�Raynaud�s Phenomenon�to present.
The symptoms include:
Aching in the wrists and muscles of the forearm
Tingling sensations
Numbness
Whiteness in the fingers from restricted circulation
This type of vibration from riveting tools, grinders, pneumatic hammers, drills, and chain saws will affect the whole body�s well being.
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