Repetitive stress disorders occur when there is an everyday pressure on a certain body part, which causes wear and tear in soft and other tissues. The typical cause is manual labor, but the damages can occur due to sports training, overuse of technology, or a sedentary lifestyle.

Repetitive stress disorders can affect muscles, tendons, cartilage, bones, nerves, and other tissues in our bodies. Here, we’ll give you some tips on how to recognize the symptoms of these disorders and treat them. So, read on to learn all about it.

What Are the Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Disorders?

Repetitive stress usually affects joints, and the most common symptom is an occurrence of pain during physical activity. For instance, if you suffer a repetitive stress disorder in your knee, you may feel discomfort every time you start walking. 

Besides affecting joints, repetitive stress can also manifest in any other part of the body you are overusing. So, these are the most common symptoms:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Loss of strength in a specific body part
• Numbness
• Tingling sensations
• Loss of flexibility
• Pulsating or throbbing sensations
• Headaches
• Tenderness in the affected body part
• Difficulty performing certain tasks

Why Do Repetitive Stress Disorders Occur?

Repetitive stress disorders occur when a body part is damaged because of overuse. The typical cause is repetitive motions that stress your body or put it in an uncomfortable position. That can happen during manual labor, prolonged sitting due to an office job, excessive use of specific devices, playing sports, or leading a sedentary lifestyle with insufficient physical exercise.

In addition to these causes, repetitive stress disorders can be the result of:

• Using vibrating machinery often
• Forceful activities
• Retaining a certain posture for a prolonged period
• Performing an activity incorrectly
• Sitting with a poor posture
• Carrying heavy loads
• Sustaining direct pressure on specific body parts
• Overusing certain muscles
• Working in cold temperatures

Repetitive stress disorders are not classified conditions, and they encompass a range of different ailments like:

• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Runner’s knee
• Swimmer’s shoulder
• Tennis elbow
• Shin splints

Repetitive Stress Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment

When you visit a medical professional about the repetitive stress disorder symptoms, they’ll perform a physical exam and other tests to diagnose your condition accurately. There are two types of repetitive stress disorders:

• Type 1 – Affects the musculoskeletal system, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and other symptoms.
• Type 2 – Typically caused by nerve damage due to repeated stress.

The treatment depends on the severity of the condition, and the first step is to stop or modify the activities causing you discomfort and other symptoms. Recommended treatment options may include rest, heat and ice therapy, pain medication, steroid injections, chiropractic care, and physical therapy.

Who Can Help You With a Repetitive Stress Disorder

Chiropractic care is an excellent way to receive non-invasive treatment to reduce the symptoms of repetitive stress disorders. It can help your body realign, reduce inflammation, eliminate pain, and improve functionality. 

You can get the best chiropractic care from Dr. Jeffrey Pruski and his team over at the Joint & Spine Center in Huntsville, TX. With their extensive experience and outstanding patient care, you’ll be back on track in no time. Click here to get the contact info.