REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURIES

COMMON RSI



• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain and numbness in the wrist, thumb, index and middle fingers. It is caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
• Focal Dystonia - Focal dystonia is an uncommon repetitive strain injury also known as occupational cramp or "writer's cramp." It is a nonpainful loss of motor skill in which one or more fingers move in a direction opposite that in which one would like them to move.
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This causes pain which runs from the elbow down to the pinkie side of the hand.
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - With Thoracic outlet syndrome one will feel numbness, coldness, fatigue, and aching in the hands and arms. This is brought on by compression of the nerves and blood vessels in the shoulder area, between the scalenes, clavicle, ribs and pectoralis muscle.
• Tendinitis - Tendinitis is a painful inflammation of the tendons caused by microscopic tears where they attach to the muscles or bones. It often occurs along with myositis(muscle pain) or myofascitis(inflammation of the tissue encasing the muscles).
• De Quervain's Disease - Tendinitis in the thumb is called De Quervain's disease. It is caused by aggravation of the tendons from ulnar deviation(bending the wrist toward the pinkie side).
• Trigger Finger - Trigger finger is when a finger painfully gets stuck in a bent position due to inflammation and swelling of a tendon and the sheath around it.

For more information:

I have an RSI Links page with links to additional web sites and books.

New Scientist has a recent article on recovery through sensory retraining.

Visit the Musicians and Injuries site.

Read Dr. Pascarelli's book, "Repetitive Strain Injury:A Computer User's Guide." Order now from Amazon.com. Coming from a medical perspective, it explains two dozen types of RSI and related conditions and their treatment. My injury, focal dystonia, was diagnosed by Dr. Pascarelli, a noted authority on the subject.

Another excellent book is "The Art of Practicing" by Madeline Bruser, also available from Amazon.com. It presents a healthy approach to making music which can help to relieve physical and mental tension.

E-mail me at beckner@tadmusic.com

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