Massage For Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Many people around the world suffer from repetitive strain injury, a condition that causes pain in specific muscles and tendons. This pain is caused by overuse of the muscle and develops over a fairly long period of time. Massage for repetitive strain injury (RSI) is one of the top treatments we offer at Bodywork Massage London.
Other symptoms besides pain and discomfort in the muscles and tendons include sensations of stiffness, numbness, and muscle weakness. People who have RSI have also experienced burning and sharp jolts of pain in the affected area. Along with these symptoms, it is also likely that someone with
RSI may experience more difficulty and fatigue when performing everyday tasks. This condition can occur to anyone who overuses a muscle over a period of time, but it is commonly found in people who heavily use their hands and wrists, like dentists, hair stylists, musicians, golfers, and people who use the computer often.
Table of Contents
What Are The Different Types of RSI?
There are two different types of RSI. The first type is referred to as Type 1 RSI. Type 1 RSI is there is an identifiable medical condition that is associated with the pain being experienced.
1. The types of conditions that are seen in Type 1 RSI are bursitis, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions involve swelling or inflammation in the affected area.
2. The second type of RSI is referred to as Type 2 RSI. Type 2 RSI is not associated with a medical condition and is considered to be a general pain. [1]
How Does RSI Occur?
When someone does a specific movement over an extensive period of time, it wears on and strains the muscles. When the muscle becomes worn out it becomes stiff and the blood flow to the area becomes limited. The lack of blood flow prevents the muscle from being able to naturally repair itself because there is a lack of oxygen.
This then creates a situation where the muscles and tendons are unable to replace the damaged cells with healthy new ones. The build-up of dead cells, also known as scar tissue, is what leads to the development of RSI. [2]
The excess scar tissue weakens the muscle and then the surrounding muscles and tendons have to overcompensate for the now weakened muscle. This then puts excess strain on the surrounding muscles and tendons, which can cause the same thing to happen to them that happened in the original muscles.
How Does Massage For Repetitive Strain Injury Work?
Massage for RSI is used to help stimulate the affected area so that there is more blood flow and more oxygen to repair the damaged muscles and tendons. This can help provide relief from the pain that people with RSI experience.
A massage therapist who specializes in RSI is able to tell which areas are damaged and massage the tissue to regain blood flow in those parts. Massage therapy can also help breakdown some of the built-up scar tissue, which can also help to relieve pain. This type of treatment for RSI is not invasive and can provide a lot of pain relief.
Benefits of Massage For Repetitive Strain Injury
Massage treatment is a great option for people who have RSI because it is a simple, yet highly effective procedure. Since massage increases blood flow to the affected area, it will also naturally help to eliminate the toxins in that area which can lead to a reduction in inflammation.
Once the toxins and inflammation are decreased, the muscles and tendons will be much less tense and there will be much less pain. Massage for RSI creates a situation in which the muscles can start to repair themselves again because the bad stuff (scar tissue, toxins) is out, and the good stuff (oxygen) is back in. [3]
When the muscles are able to heal from the wear and tear, they are able to start to regain strength and flexibility.
What Can I Expect From Massage For Repetitive Strain Injury?
When someone receives massage for their RSI, their treatment session may go as follows:
- First, the muscles and tendons would be heated to help loosen them up
- Then the therapist would do the first round of massage
- Following the first massage, the therapist would have the patient stretch
- Strengthening exercises will be performed
- Then the therapist would massage the muscles again
- Lastly, the muscles would be cooled by either being put in a cold tub or sitting with an ice pack on them for at least 10 minutes. The cooling of the muscles after the therapy helps prevent the muscles from re-injury [4]
What Do I Wear For A Massage For Repetitive Strain Injury?
We generally advise all our clients to travel to and from their treatment in comfortable, loose clothing. This is to ensure maximum benefit from the massage, and so none of the oils or products we use are transferred to clothing.
Sportswear is also suitable to wear for a repetitive strain injury massage or any other type of activewear that is flexible. If the area that needs targeting is obscured by clothing, we will ask you to remove that item in order for our trained therapists to properly address the area and injury.
We will provide fresh robes, clean towels, and any other amenity that will make you feel more relaxed during this treatment.
Does Massage For Repetitive Strain Injury Hurt?
First of all, no massage should ever cause pain or discomfort. While this type of therapy is designed to treat areas and ailments that are causing you existing pain, it should in no circumstance exacerbate this pain or discomfort.
Our trained therapists will go through your treatment with you beforehand and will take note of any sensitive or sore areas. We will constantly check if the pressure and type of massage are suitable for you. We will in no way put you in any danger during this treatment, and will always consider what is best for your holistic and overall health.
If you do feel pain or discomfort during your treatment, it is your responsibility to let our therapists know – there’s no need to feel shy or uncomfortable in telling them so. We want you to get the best out of your experience, and leave feeling cared for and rejuvenated.
Self-help For RSI
If you are unable to receive massage for your RSI, there are some simple things you can do at home which may reduce the pain. Try changing the types of activities that you do at home and at work that may be causing the RSI.
Letting the inflamed muscle relax will help the healing process begin. Cold and heat treatments may also help relieve some of the pain. Also, over the counter pain medicine can provide a lot of relief as well. [5]
Contact Us Now To Help Treat Your Injury
Contact us on 07904 786 888 for an acupuncture treatment tailored to your individual needs and requirements. Our expert team of staff will conduct a detailed assessment before the treatment, to help decide what benefits you would like to reap from the session.
We look forward to hearing from you through the phone or through our online form.
References
[1] https://www.painscience.com/articles/repetitive-strain-injuries.php
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312643/
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0004951414605882
[4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11641908_Conservative_treatment_for_repetitive_strain_injury
[5] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)62676-1/fulltext
About the author of this article
My name is Lubna and I am a Holistic Food Coach, Natural Chef, Massage Specialist & Yoga teacher. I am passionate about your health and well-being. Now, health and well-being is my life! I practice yoga every morning. I attend and support my community fitness centre and I have recently learned how to swim.
