I have heard repetitive stress used in relation to carpal tunnel and tennis elbow but what does repetitive stress have to do with neck, low back, or shoulder pain, which seems to be your clinic’s expertise?  Dafne

Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) are also known as repetitive motion or overuse injuries which I think are more appropriate descriptions.

Carpal tunnel seems to be the most commonly linked RSI but they can be any injury to the musculo-skeletal system or nervous system due to repetitive motions, forceful exertions, mechanical compressions or sustained or awkward positions.

One of the first questions I ask a new patient is their occupation.  More and more, what a patient does in their daily activities is a major cause of their pain.

For example, I have found that elementary school teachers have a higher incidence of neck pain.  Without boring you with too much technical information, the most compromising position for the neck is when your head is in flexion or looking down.

Elementary school teachers are constantly in flexion.  After all, they are looking down on small children all day long.  Teachers, in general, have a high incidence of neck pain.  Whether they are looking down at children or grading papers, they are in a compromised position much of their day.

On the other hand, the most compromising position for your low back is a sitting position.  People who are at a desk all day will suffer from degenerative disk disease, pinched nerves, muscular imbalances to name a few.

I think traditionally, people thought those with manual labor jobs would be the most susceptible to these injuries but the repetition of my patient’s daily activities seem to be the cause despite the fact that they are not necessarily physical in nature.

So, what do you do about it?  You can’t stop working!

The first step is attempting to ensure that your work station is ergonomically correct.  Does your chair take some of the pressure off of your back?  Is the top of your computer just below eye level?  **I have written several articles on proper ergonomics.  Contact me at buckheadpainspecialists@gmail.com if you would like a copy.

Maintaining proper posture, proper stretching routines, massage and mirror image exercises are great tools.  Remember, prevention is the key.

Of course, if you are already experiencing pain and you haven’t read the rest of the newsletter, go back and read it and stop procrastinating!  And start investing in your future.  I am always available to help you whether you are a patient or not!