What causes Repetitive Strain Injury, also known as Cumulative Motion Injury?

  1. When we sit at our computers typing & mousing for long periods of time, we are experiencing thousands of very small motions without rest.
  2. This makes the muscles of the neck, shoulders, arms, forearms and hands tight. Tight muscles tend to weaken, and weak muscles tend to tighten.
  3. The tightness in muscles reduces blood flow.
  4. When blood cannot nourish the nerves with oxygen and clean up the metabolites of muscular use, this state of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) sets up an inflammatory response.
  5. Inflammation results in the formation of scar tissue in the overused muscles.
  6. Scar tissue further distresses the situation by creating sticky adhesion between muscles,vasculature, and nerves, which further tightens muscles, restricts blood flow, and weakens muscles.

And, so goes the cycle of Cumulative Motion Injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Self massage helps break up muscular tightness, and scar tissue that can impinge upon the nerves of the upper extremities. Manipulation of your muscles with props like those I use in this video, provides a release that stretching alone cannot provide.