Bodyworks Studio Physiotherapy & Sports Medicine » Morisset Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and Tendon Injury
TENDON INJURY
A tendon is just a connector, like a piece of string, between the part of the muscle that contracts and the bone to which it attaches. Tendons only need a small amount of nourishment and therefore they only have a minimal blood supply. This means that when a tendon is damaged it doesn't have a good blood supply to help it to heal quickly. When a tendon is damaged fluid seeps out of torn fibres and causes localised swelling. This works like glue squeezed from a tube; the glue tries to repair the damage and in its enthusiasm sticks everything to everything else. The individual fibres of the tendon which are normally free to glide slightly one on the other become stuck together and are then irritated by the pull of even the slightest contraction in the muscle. It is important to assess what activity or movement causes the pain so that the patient can do this activity and movement as little as possible so as not to aggravate the problem. See: RSI, Golfers elbow, Tennis elbow, Supra-spinatus tendinitis, Tenosynovitis.
TREATMENT
Rest is always a sensible treatment in the acute stage. Tendon injuries are not conditions that you can exercise through. By using Manual Lymph Drainage and Connective Tissue Manipulation techniques the circulation can be improved. Tension in the connective tissue decreases and the adhesions between the fibres in the tendon are softened. This restores painless movement as the tendon fibres glide over each other. Once the pain has reduced, a programme of personal exercises designed for the patient to help the muscles regain their strength. It is important that the activity which caused the problem is not resumed until the whole area is looser, the area is completely pain free and the muscles have regained their strength otherwise the problem will just recur.
RSI
Tendon problems in the forearm wrist and hand are currently banded together under the heading Repetitive Strain Injury. Whilst this relatively, new, name accurately describes the cause of the problem an accurate diagnosis needs to be made to determine which tendon is affected. RSI occurs when the patient is doing the same repetitive action over and over again during a working day. If their posture is wrong or they are putting undue strain on the body a RSI may develop. Usually RSI only develops in people who have tight connective tissue and are unable to allow the body to accommodate the new activity without causing pain.
TREATMENT
Treatment with Manual Lymph Drainage and Connective Tissue Manipulation reduces the tension in the connective tissue in the area, improves the circulation and settles the inflammation.
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Jacqueline is one of a few UK Physiotherapists combining Connective Tissue Manipulation, Manual Lymph Drainage, the MacKenzie Exercise Regime and Cranio-sacral Therapy in private practice. During the past four years she has successfully treated over 1,000 patients with spinal problems and a further 1,300 patients with other muscular skeletal problems in her Gillingham Physio Centre in Dorset. In order to offer her specialist techniques to a greater number of patients she started the London Physio Centre at 148 Harley Street.
A Chartered and State Registered Physiotherapist, Jacqueline qualified at St Thomas's Hospital, London with additional emphasis in the treatment of backs and necks. She spent five years at the Leicester Royal Infirmary gaining experience in all branches of physiotherapy and became Senior Physiotherapist on the Medical Unit. In 1977 she created a private practice at the Leicester Clinic, eventually covering all orthopaedic, spinal and post-op physiotherapy.
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