Overuse Syndrome – Repetitive Strain Injury
Do you experience chronic discomfort in one of your body parts? Do you think
you might have repetitively overloaded a muscle during work or exercise?
If so, physiotherapy can help! Repetitive injuries are best to be addressed sooner in order to
avoid even more severe injuries.
“Repetitive microtrauma or repeated strain overload over time results in structural weakening,
or fatigue breakdown, of connective tissue…”*. Overuse syndromes can occur almost
everywhere in the body. For example, overuse syndrome in lower extremities is caused by
biomechanical stress and overload on the legs, heel or foot and may be from muscle
imbalances, daily habits, changes in exercise or footwear, obesity, etc. Overuse syndrome in the
shoulders and arms “may result from repeated stressful joint movements with the arm at waist
level, such as with grinding, packing assembly, and construction work” or during some motions
in sport activities such as “spiking a volleyball or serving in tennis”. Sometimes even typing for
long hours (especially if the workstation is not ergonomically assessed) can cause overuse
syndrome in wrists, elbows and shoulders.
At PhysioD, (Physiotherapy clinic, Toronto, ON), you and your physiotherapist will go through
the history of your injury and pain and will evaluate the daily physical demands and possible
pressures through work or sports that might contribute to your pain/discomfort. Treatment for
the overuse syndrome will always include some suggestions or modifications to the habits that
cause the biomechanical stress and overload on the affected body part. Your physiotherapist at
PhysioD will include manual techniques, modalities, and suitable therapeutic exercises to
address your pain and prevent further injuries.
If you experience an ongoing pain or discomfort on one of your body parts that worsens with
some activities or if you are not sure about the reason for your pain, contact PhysioD today for
a free consultation. You may reach our clinic by phone (416.224.8484) or by email
([email protected]).
- Therapeutic Exercise – Foundations and Techniques – 7th Edition
