By Rick Halle-Podell, Licensed Massage Therapist, Founder of Massage Therapy of Oak Park

At Massage Therapy of Oak Park, we believe that massage therapy’s greatest potential is its preventive power. At almost every stage of a repetitive stress injury, massage therapy is a viable intervention strategy. By not allowing RSI to progress to acute pain, sufferers can avoid expensive medical costs, surgery and time away from work. An ounce of prevention, in this case, is definitely worth a pound of cure.

Early Intervention with Massage Therapy can Prevent RSI

The demand for massage therapy to reduce the risk of RSI continues to grow because massage therapists like ours are trained to work with the type of pain patterns that emerge from a RSI. We understand the synergism between muscle groups and how overusing one muscle, or group of muscles, for prolonged periods of time puts tremendous stress on all the muscles of a particular joint.

Besides prevention, massage therapy is highly beneficial when combined with other forms of healthcare at any stage of RSI, short of surgery. Consult your medical doctor, chiropractor or osteopath to make the appropriate diagnosis and help correct any structural misalignment contributing to RSI. Education is the first step toward prevention.

Licensed Massage Therapists Understand That Pain Travels

A patient may feel pain in her fingers and arms and believe that the pain starts there. However, licensed massage therapists will understand, due to extensive training and practical application, that they need to work the hand AND the wrist, elbow and shoulder. Working each specific muscle can reduce tension and ensure that tissue pliability returns, re-establishing range-of-motion.

Like their peers throughout Chicagoland, our licensed massage therapists use various techniques to release muscle tension, reduce chronic pain and remove trigger points. When applied professionally, massage can interrupt perpetuating factors such as poor posture by relaxing and lengthening the muscles that support the spine and the head. This reduces inflammation while assisting the body in repairing damaged tissues and in the return of muscle strength.

At Massage Therapy of Oak Park, we often end a therapeutic massage session by using ice and/or heat to decrease pain, increase blood flow and calm irritated nerves. We also encourage our patients to employ stretching and resistance exercises to help strengthen and relax sore muscles while reducing the chances of reactivating the pain pattern.

“Surprising, as it may seem, slouching may cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Poor posture at the computer wakens the shoulder and upper body due to lack of use. When the upper body is weak, the forearms and wrists must do more work when typing. Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, may be the result.”

Susan R. Harris
Professor Emerita Department of Physical Therapy
B.S. (Physical Therapy), Ph.D. (Special Education)

Exercises That Help Prevent Repetitive Stress Injuries and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Stretch the neck muscles by dropping the chin to the chest and then looking up at the ceiling. Make sure not to extend the head too far. Also, bring the ears to the shoulders and rotate head side to side, looking over each shoulder.

Circle both wrists in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction.

Rotate shoulders in a circular motion in both directions.

Stretch the hand and finger muscles by making a fist and spreading the fingers as wide as possible.

Stretch the forearms. With the elbows straight and the hand in a “stop” position pull the fingers and hand backward into extension. Repeat with the fingers facing downward.

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