Work Injuries

Repetitive Motion Disorders (RMDs) and The Spine

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How RMD’s affect the spine

Most repetitive motion injuries or RMDs affect the arms and hands. However, they can also happen in the spine.

The majority of back injuries, especially in the workplace, are often the result of long-term repetitive wear and tear on the:

  • Muscles
  • Ligaments
  • Tendons
  • Spinal discs

Repetitive work motions like:

  • Pulling
  • Reaching
  • Twisting
  • Bending

All of these movements can weaken and stress the spine and increase the risk of injury.

 

Treatment for RMD’s

When first treating an RMD, the first step is to reduce or stop the motions that are causing the symptoms. Other therapies include:

  • Ice therapy reduces pain and swelling.
  • Medications like cortisone and anti-inflammatory’s also reduce pain and swelling.
  • Chiropractic/Physical therapy relieves soreness and pain in the muscles and joints and strengthens the muscles to help prevent future injuries.
  • Splints relieve pressure on the muscles and nerves.
  • Surgery in rare cases can help relieve symptoms and prevent permanent damage.

 

Prevention

RMDs can be prevented. Here are some tips to reduce repetitive motion injury:

  • Take frequent breaks to avoid overuse of muscles with little rest breaks of whatever muscles/ligaments you are using.
  • Regular exercise along with stretching and relaxation helps build strength, increase mobility, range of motion, and prevent future injury.
  • Look at your posture to make sure it is correct for the task at hand. This helps the elbows, wrists, hands, and spine maintain alignment during repetitive motions.
  • Don’t stay in a single position for too long. Change your posture frequently during any activity to relax one set of muscles and use another group, then switch and so forth.
  • Practicing correct form and technique will go a long way in preventing a repetitive injury.
  • Avoid over-reaching, stretching, and twisting.
  • Use protective equipment and gear.
  • Have a properly designed workstation with office or work equipment at the proper height distance and allow you to work safely and comfortably.

 

Staying Healthy

Staying healthy and avoiding RMD’s is a priority if you work at a job or regularly participate in activities where repetitive motion/s and movement/s are used.

Give yourself time to rest, exercise, and implement proper techniques. See a doctor or injury chiropractor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed. Ergonomically evaluating the causes is an integral part of the diagnostic evaluation for patients with these conditions.

Therefore, mapping out a customized treatment plan for changing how you work/perform these motions is the ultimate goal.

We focus on what works for you. We also strive to create fitness and better the body through researched methods and total wellness programs. These programs are natural and use the body’s own ability to achieve improvement goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, surgery, or addictive drugs.

We want you to live a fulfilled life with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, less pain, proper body weight, and education on maintaining this way of life. I have made a life of taking care of every one of my patients.


 

*LIFE CHANGING* Orthotics! | El Paso, Tx (2020)

 


 

NCBI Resources

Barring traumatic injury due to an accident, working in a factory environment can cause mobility, pain, and flexibility problems. The nature of the job places specific demands on the human body that can lead to certain types of injuries and health conditions, which include:

  • Repetitive motion injury – When a worker performs the same task that involves the same movements repeatedly, it can lead to certain types of damages. Carpal tunnel is a common repetitive motion injury.
  • Overexertion – Lifting, pulling, even standing can take a toll on the body, especially when it is done without adequate breaks. The person can get muscle fatigue, stretched muscles, and pulled tendons.
  • Body movement injuries – When the worker continuously reaches, twists, crawls, and bends, it can cause problems with the muscles and joints.
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Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Repetitive Motion Disorders (RMDs) and The Spine" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal mobility, posture control, health Instruction, functional fitness, and structural conditioning. In addition, we use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans," Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor, passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility.

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