Have you ever noticed how your wrists feel sore and painful after spending too many uninterrupted hours in front of the computer? Like millions of people in the United States today, you are probably experiencing a condition known as repetitive stress injury. These are conditions that affect the nerves, tendons and ligaments due to repeated motions of particular exercises. If you have sought medical help for this condition, your doctor might have also called this Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Repetitive Motions Disorders or Overuse Syndromes.

There many different kinds of repetitive stress injuries. Some of the most common ones include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which happens when the median nerve running from the forearm to the hand becomes squeezed or pressed at the wrist; tendonitis, in which tendons become inflamed and movement becomes painful; bursitis, which occurs when the fluid-filled sacs between the muscles and bones become inflamed that results in stiff and painful movement; and tennis elbow, wherein a partial tear of the tendon fibers connecting the muscles and bones receive a partial tear resulting to inflammation, soreness or pain. Repetitive stress injuries are often the result of too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motion, overexertion, incorrect posture unnatural motions and muscle tiredness.

When you start to experience pain, tingling, numbness, swelling or redness and/or loss of flexibility and strength in the body part affected by the Overuse Syndromes, it's time to stop doing the activity. When ignored or left untreated, these Cumulative Trauma Disorders can either temporarily or permanently damage the muscles, tendons, nerves or ligaments. In extreme cases, it can compress the nerves or tissues affected by it. You increase your risk of repetitive stress injuries if your line of work involves the factory assembly line, meatpacking, sewing, typing or any form of computer work or playing musical instruments like the violin, piano and others. Carpenters, gardeners, tennis players (hence the name tennis elbow) and even golfers are also more prone to Repetitive Motion Disorders.

If you are involved in any of these occupations or activities, you can prevent worsening of symptoms by eliminating the movements that are causing the symptoms. If this is not possible, then a reduction of these movements would help improve your condition. Give yourself sufficient breaks in between work. Practice stretching exercises to relax the area. If it becomes inflamed, you can apply ice to reduce the swelling and relieve pain. Your doctor might also prescribe pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids for pain that becomes unbearable. Medical management and treatment could also include physical therapy for the affected area. In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary. You can also use ergonomic keyboards and other like-designed office equipment to prevent a worsening of symptoms. Observing proper posture while at your desk will also help a great deal in minimizing the pain and the symptoms. Because of expanding knowledge about this condition, many employers have implemented so-called ergonomic programs to address this issue. When left unattended, however, the area may suffer total loss of function. Thus, you need to be aware of the movements causing your body pain or soreness and immediately take steps to address it.