Repetitive strain in athletes and at work

The slowly boiling pot: massage manages repetitive strain in athletes and at work.

A repetitive strain injury occurs with cumulative micro-damage to a muscle. Athletes and those who spend long hours at work are the most likely to develop a repetitive strain injury.

Work-related activity shapes the average adult posture more than recreational activity. Repeated movements of a specialized occupation equate with repeated exercises, and unequal development of muscle groups (muscle imbalance).

Massage therapy and remedial exercise training help to break poor postural habits or damaging movement patterns and establish better ones.

Strength insufficiency or muscle use without stretch predispose a muscle to repetitive strain. Poor positioning in a repeated activity results in muscle imbalance and strain intensifies.

Good posture protects the body from mechanical stress and strain. Especially important to athletes, good posture enhances performance and efficiency.

Poor posture leads to improper joint mechanics while in motion. This has a cumulative effect on joints, bones and muscle. The long term effects are devastating, causing problems such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis and tension headaches.

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