In the United States, one of the most common type of injuries are repetitive use injuries. What makes them so common is that they can occur while doing normal, everyday activities. Desk jobs, parenting, sports- all activities we regularly do without realizing risks. Over 50% of repetitive use injuries are athletic-related.
Two of the most common types of repetitive use injuries are tendinitis and bursitis.
Tendinitis
Tendons are the material that connects muscle to bone. This part of the body allows movement to happen at all of the joints. They are also very strong since they have to work with the weight in the body. Tendinitis is when these tendons have inflammation. This inflammation can then be irritated and is seen mostly in the shoulder, elbow and biceps.
Bursitis
Bursas are small sacks that are found between the tendon and bone. This serves as padding and lubrication to the specific joints. When the bursa becomes inflamed, this is known as bursitis. It occurs most often in the hip, elbows and knees, but can occur almost anywhere on the body since there are over 150 different bursae.
Treatment can vary depending on the patient and the specific injury the person has.
Preventing Repetitive Use Injuries
To prevent common repetitive use injuries throughout the body, an individual should avoid strain and stress on the above listed areas and also any other joints. Stretching, walking and moving throughout the day are the easiest preventative activities. Exercise is great but do not over-strain the parts of the body so much that the areas become sore for extended periods of time. Rest and relax muscles on a daily basis after repeated use. Do not do the same motions over and over again if it can be avoided, such as desk jobs and cleaning. In sports, this is hard to avoid so vary your practice methods instead of doing the same action the entire session. Take adequate breaks. “No pain, no gain” is indeed a common saying but “lots of pain, no gain” is also a truth.
If you find that you’re having an issue in one of the areas due to pain, swelling, hotness or redness in the area, speak with a healthcare provider. Chiropractic care is a great solution because it addresses the functional issues rather than masking the pain with mere medications. When you consult a physician, you can talk about your habits and he or she can help you identify harmful habits that are causing these issues.
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