Injuries / Conditions

By Chris Adams, About.com Guide to Ergonomics

Repetitive stress injuries are bad things. They can range from a slight annoyance to a debilitating condition. And the modern world is filled with ways to develop them. Hooray for technology and the cubicle! Thankfully, ergonomics is around to help.

1. Understanding Repetitive Stress Injuries
2. Types of Injuries and Conditions
3. Preventing Repetitive Stress Injury
4. Treating Repetitive Stress Injury
5. Diagnosing Repetitive Stress Injury

Understanding Repetitive Stress Injuries

There is a lot of misunderstanding about repetitive stress injuries about how ergonomics can help. Come to think of it, you're likely getting conflicting opinions on what condition you might actually have. There is just a lot of bad information floating around out there. Arm yourself with knowledge that can improve your quality of life.

• The Many Names for Repetitive Stress Injuries
• What Causes Repetitive Stress Injuries?
• Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI)
• Repetitive Stress Disorder (RSD)
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
• Repetitive Strain Disorder (RSD)

• Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI)
• Repetitive Motion Disorder (RMD)
• Repetitive Injuryn(RI)
• Overuse Syndrome
• Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD)
• Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)

Types of Injuries and Conditions

From trigger finger to hammer toe, your body is fertile ground for repetitive stress or cumulative trauma. Injury can occur anywhere in or on your body. Understanding your condition is the first step to better health.

• Bursitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Eye Strain

• Swimmers Shoulder
• Tendonitis
• Tennis Elbow
• Vibration White Finger

Preventing Repetitive Stress Injury

One of the great benefits of ergonomics is using tools that reduce repetitive stress. But ergonomics alone is not always enough to prevent repetitive stress injuries. Good ergonomic practices and tools, along with an understanding of body mechanics and a healthy lifestyle, can fight off repetitive stress and cumulative trauma.

• The Essential 2 Minute Stretch Program
• Play With Different Muscles
• Tips to Prevent Wrist Repetitive Stress Injuries
• Preventing Eye Strain
• The Personal Nature of Ergonomics

Treating Repetitive Stress Injury

Treating a repetitive stress injury can be tricky -- especially since you have to stop doing what caused it, which usually implies changing the way you work or play. It will often require medical treatment in combination with behavioral modification. No one ever said staying healthy in the modern world was easy.

• Things to Do if You've Been Diagnosed with a Repetitive Stress Injury
• How to Break a Bad Habit
• Treatment With Cortisone Shots
• Treating Eye Strain

Diagnosing Repetitive Stress Injury

Diagnosing repetitive stress injury is often a difficult proposition. Some conditions can be easily mistaken for others. At other times, you may need a medical test to decipher what is injured. Once you have identified the condition, you still have to figure out the cause -- that can be the most frustrating part of it all.

• Things to Do if You've Been Diagnosed with a Repetitive Stress Injury
• Using a Visual Analog Pain Scale
• Diagnosing Eye Strain