Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)

Treatments for carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, and tendinitis.

What It Is

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) are a group of painful conditions caused by performing the same movements repeatedly over a long period. Common examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and various forms of tendinitis. Our chiropractic care offers a comprehensive, non-surgical approach to healing these stubborn injuries and restoring full functionality to your joints.

Unlike acute injuries that happen suddenly, RSIs develop gradually. The repetitive micro-trauma causes inflammation in the tendons, muscles, and nerves. Over time, the body attempts to heal this chronic inflammation by laying down disorganized scar tissue (adhesions). This scar tissue restricts movement, binds tissues together, and can compress delicate nerves, leading to chronic pain, numbness, and weakness.

Traditional treatments often rely on prolonged rest, splinting, or corticosteroid injections, which may provide temporary relief but fail to address the underlying biomechanical flaws and scar tissue. Our holistic approach focuses on breaking down these adhesions, restoring proper joint mechanics, and rehabilitating the affected tissues for lasting relief.

How It Works

Healing an RSI requires more than just resting the affected area; it requires active rehabilitation to correct the altered biomechanics. When a joint like the wrist or elbow is restricted, the surrounding tendons bear an abnormal amount of stress during movement, perpetuating the cycle of inflammation and scar tissue formation.

Our treatment utilizes precise chiropractic adjustments to the affected extremities (wrists, elbows, shoulders) as well as the cervical spine (neck), as nerve compression in the neck can often mimic or exacerbate symptoms in the arms and hands. By restoring normal joint motion, we immediately reduce the mechanical stress on the inflamed tendons.

Crucially, we integrate advanced soft tissue therapies, such as myofascial release or instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). These techniques physically break down the restrictive scar tissue and adhesions that have formed around the tendons and nerves. This process stimulates blood flow, promotes the regeneration of healthy tissue, and restores normal flexibility and strength to the area.

Who It's For

Our RSI treatments are ideal for anyone experiencing chronic, aching pain, numbness, or weakness related to repetitive tasks at work, sports, or daily activities.

Ideal Candidates Include:

• Office workers suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist pain from typing.
• Athletes dealing with tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis).
• Manual laborers experiencing chronic shoulder tendinitis or rotator cuff issues.
• Musicians or artists dealing with repetitive strain in their hands and forearms.
• Individuals experiencing numbness, tingling, or weakness in their hands and fingers.

Contraindications: Chiropractic care is highly effective for RSIs. However, if an RSI has progressed to the point of severe, irreversible nerve damage (e.g., severe muscle atrophy in the hand from advanced carpal tunnel), surgical intervention may be necessary. We perform thorough neurological testing to ensure you are a candidate for conservative care.

What to Expect

Your initial visit involves a detailed history of your daily activities, ergonomic setup, and a comprehensive orthopedic and neurological examination to pinpoint the exact tissues involved and rule out nerve compression in the neck.

Treatment sessions are highly active and focused on the extremities. They involve joint mobilizations, intensive soft tissue therapies to break down scar tissue, and specific stretching protocols. Sessions typically last 15-30 minutes. We will also provide crucial ergonomic advice and specific exercises to perform at home or work.

Recommended Sessions: RSIs take time to develop and time to heal. You can expect an initial phase of frequent visits (2-3 times a week) to quickly reduce inflammation and break down scar tissue. As the pain subsides and mobility improves, visits will focus on strengthening the area to prevent recurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Local Care for Our Community

Boulder, CO is home to a unique mix of dedicated tech professionals and passionate athletes. Whether your repetitive strain comes from long hours coding at a startup or gripping the rock face in Eldorado Canyon, RSIs can severely impact your lifestyle. At Rise N Shine Family Chiropractic, we provide expert, targeted care to heal these stubborn injuries, ensuring our Boulder community can continue to work hard and play hard without pain.

Ready to feel your best?

Schedule your consultation today at our Boulder clinic.