Southern View: August 22, 2017

SOUTHERN VIEW Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Tuesday August 22 2017 13
HEALTH & AWARENESS
RSI, OOS or Gradual Process Injury
can be treated!
What causes OOS? The Department
of Labour states: “One of the
favourable explanations for OOS is
that it is caused by muscles being
held tense or tight for too long.’’
These conditions may be caused
by repetitive tasks, forceful exertions,
vibrations, mechanical compression, or
sustained or awkward positions.
The shorter and tenser the muscle, the
harder it pulls on the places it attaches to
(e.g. the bone). When this happens in the
forearm the pull at those attachments and
tendons causes irritation and inflammation
of those areas. This will be noticed as pain in
the elbow and wrist. When this happens in
the neck and shoulder area, it will be noticed
as local pain, stiffness and sometimes
headaches. The nerves run right through
the muscles. Tension on the muscles causes
pressure on the nerves. As the muscles
shorten, the nerves running through them
have a tendency to both shorten and slide
less well. This causes the nerves to radiate
pain throughout the arm.
Triggerpoints are areas in your muscles,
where a few muscle fibres have contracted
in a knot. These knots (the hard and painful originate in your
areas in your muscles felt during massage) neck. Pain in your
weaken and shorten your muscles and can little finger or
cause referred pain.
forearm can originate
This drawing is an example of pain areas in your chest. This
(the red area), caused by triggerpoints (the is the reason that
black X).
your therapist may
treat an area, other
than where you are
experiencing pain.
In the following
drawing you can see
the painful areas in
the head caused by the triggerpoint in the
neck. This is often the result of poor posture.
Physical Sense has been treating
this condition for the last 25 years.
Their experience is:
• Most of the patients who have had their
pain for less than a year leave this clinic free
This is your muscle’s reaction to of pain (but they have to be very careful to
continuous irritation. In most cases, there avoid relapses).
are multiple causes for this irritation. These • When the OOS pain has been there
could be: repeated actions without breaks; for more than a year, that percentage drops
constant
static posture resulting in constant to 60%.
muscle contraction; lack of healthy blood • The other 40% will leave the clinic with
flow;
bad posture resulting in continuous relief of pain and with knowledge about
high
loading of some muscles, etc. numerous strategies to relieve and handle
As you can see, your thumb pain can the remaining pain.
Physical Sense has published the “OOS
Client Information Booklet”. It is full of
handy tips on how to self treat and avoid
this condition.
Physical Sense Gym and Physio is located at 300 Colombo Street, Sydenham. The Blue Line Bus stops in front of the door and there is ample
parking. To enquire about specialised exercise classes or physiotherapy treatment, phone 377-2577 or visit www.triggerpoints.co.nz
Get it for free at www/oos.co.nz/
FREEBOOK or you can reach Physical
Sense on 377 2577 or visit them at
300 Colombo Street or online at
www.triggerpoints.co.nz.
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