Repetitive Motion Injuries in Vero Beach

Our musculoskeletal system was designed for a wide range of physical tasks, including lifting, bending, turning, and twisting. However, some activities require repetitive motions; for example, swinging a club in golf, swinging a bat in baseball, playing the drum using drumsticks, or even typing the keys on a keyboard. It’s not uncommon for people to develop injuries from such repetitive motions. These types of injuries are known as repetitive motion injuries–or overuse injuries.

Types of Repetitive Motion Injuries

There are two main types of repetitive motion injuries — short-term and long-term. Short-term repetitive motion injuries often consist of sharp or achy pains that are localized to a specific joint or muscle. Long-term repetitive motion injuries often result in more frequent pain that can be experienced throughout the day. They often involve more serious structural damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. In some cases, permanent damage can occur. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome, which is when the nerve bundles that supply your hand’s soft tissues and muscles are permanently damaged by repetitive use.

Avoiding Repetitive Motion Injuries

The only sure way to avoid repetitive motion injuries is to stop making repetitive motions altogether–but this just isn’t possible, especially since many jobs require such motions to be made on a daily basis (for example, typing on your computer or phone). Instead, you will want to take preventative measures by incorporating certain strength training activities. Developing your strength will help improve range of motion, thereby helping reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries.

For example, upper and lower body strength training will help to train your muscle groups to better adapt to mechanical loads throughout a range of motion. You should exercise each major muscle group, including the back, shoulders, chest, legs, and arms, consistently on a weekly basis.

If you’ve never done strength training before, then you’ll want to start slowly using light weights and repetitions. As it becomes easier, gradually increase the weight and repetitions. Improperly lifting weights, using weights that are too heavy, or doing too many repetitions off the bat can result in injuries as well if you’re not careful.

In addition to strength training, you should consider regular chiropractic care. Regular chiropractic care can help you detect spinal misalignments and correct them. A chiropractor will also be able to identify any sources of nerve interference. This will help reduce the risk that any physical movements you make on a regular basis won’t result in short or long-term injuries.

While strength training and regular chiropractic care will benefit you greatly when it comes to preventing repetitive motion injuries (especially if you are an athlete), you should also focus on a healthy lifestyle in general. This means maintaining a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep.

To help prevent possible repetitive motion injuries, be sure to contact us at Florida Spine to schedule an appointment with one of our professional chiropractors in Vero Beach today. If you think you’ve experienced a short-term or long-term repetitive motion injury, then we can diagnose the problem and treat it as well.