RSI (Repetitive Strain)
RSI, or Repetitive Strain Injury, covers a large family of complaints in which the common cause is over-use of a tool or activity with repeated identical movements. RSI symptoms typically affect muscles, tendons and nerves in the hands, arms and upper back, with recurring pain, tingling or numbness, and loss of strength and endurance. A September 2005 study by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy found that 448,000 U.K. workers were reported to have RSI in the previous year, with the numbers, and the costs to employers and employees, rising steadily.
However, RSI is most concentrated in certain types of work, particularly computer workers (which means most of us are at risk at some point, but especially journalists and other writers), supermarket check-out assistants, assembly line workers and professional musicians.
Scenar can be wonderful in relieving the pain and inflammation of RSI, especially when combined with resting the affected areas as much as possible initially, then using regular stretching exercises and ergonomic measures. A course of Scenar treatment should also help in relaxing severely stressed muscles, which have been identified as a key factor in RSI's development -- RSI can appear after only a short period of over-use if the person is very stressed.
The aim is obviously to treat your RSI before it becomes so debilitating that surgery is offered as the only option. If you do go for surgery, however, then Scenar can at least help in accelerating your rehabilitation afterwards.
Please note that these pages are for general information and not in any way intended to help you diagnose a medical condition. You should first seek a diagnosis from a doctor, and, if you decide to try Scenar therapy, work with your doctor in assessing the progress of the condition and the dosage of any drugs you may be taking. About the author: Paul Lowe has Scenar practices near Brighton in Sussex. He tackles many issues including back pain and joints (slipped disc, sciatica, rheumatoid and osteo arthritis, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel, RSI), neurological (migraines, IBS, TMJ, RSD, fibromyalgia), burns, wounds and sports injuries. |
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Common conditions within the RSI family
are tendonitis, bursitis, tennis elbow, golfer's knee, typist's wrist, jogger's
ankle, and, more recently, "Gamer's Thumb"
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Tel: (44) 01273 803888 |
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Don Elwick - Managing Director, Brighton Media Centre (Cracked Ribs) "December 21st, 2009, I went out running, slipped on some ice, and fell heavily on my back. A nurse and a doctor both confirmed I had two or three cracked ribs. I spent the next week hardly sleeping due to the pain. December 29th, I saw Paul Lowe for a Scenar treatment, and that night I slept properly again. Over the next few days, almost all the pain had gone, and the ribs were back to normal. I had Scenar again and on January 4th, the doctor found it hard to believe there was nothing left from the accident - broken ribs normally take at least 6 weeks to heal." ............................................ Venus Villa, First Artist, The English National Ballet, London (Leg injury) "I had a very painful injury to my leg (compartment syndrome), and I tried several therapies. Scenar was the best for really deep healing, even when I was dancing for seven hours a day. Thank you Paul." ............................................ Marco Crivello, Artist, Lewes, Sussex (Shoulder + Back Pain) "I had acute pain in my right shoulder. I tried osteopathy and cranio-sacral over several weeks, but with negligible results. Paul treated me with Scenar daily for four days, and by the end I was pain-free. On another occasion, I was in acute pain months after Achilles tendon surgery -- after one treatment from Paul, the pain went away. I also threw my back out twice. Each time, one Scenar treatment was enough to put it back to normal." ............................................ Stephane Davies-Arai, Sculptor, Lewes, Sussex (Sciatica) "I was rushed to hospital on three occasions and given four strong painkillers including morphine. I finally collapsed at work in agony, unable to walk. After 10 treatments with Paul, I was able to stop the painkillers and drive 80 miles to a work event. Six months on, I'm still pain free." .............................................. Tim Cornwall - Private Hire Driver, Herstmonceaux, Sussex (Slipped Disc) "I've had hip and lower back problems for over 30 years. This episode was the worst I've had for two years: I could hardly walk or drive and I had to give work away. Until now, I'd go to the chiropractor for several treatments and take at least three weeks to recover. With Paul it took four days and four Scenar treatments to get back to normal. On day 1, I could barely walk. On day 3, I took the dog for a one-hour walk." ............................................. John Hayward - Landscaper, Westham, Sussex (Neck + Shoulder Pain, Arm/hand nerve damage) "The pain had reached levels that stopped my physical workload. The diagnosis was nerve compression due to an injury to the C5/6/7 vertebrae. I now faced the prospect of surgery to install metal inserts... After four Scenar treatments, I was able to stop the painkillers... After three months and 10 treatments, I can also report... ability to sleep on my side again, write and sign my signature fluently again, turn my head fully to the right and left... Six months later, I'm doing heavy physical work again as part of my job, and despite needing occasional top-ups, I'm basically pain-free. Altogether, a phenomenal success."
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All Rights Reserved: Life Routes. © Copyright: Paul Lowe, 2008. Tel: 01273 803888. Email: info@scenartherapist.co.uk