Frequently Asked Questions
Things to know and understand about Repetitive Strain Injury and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
(Click on the Questions Below)
- What is RSI and what is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- How are they similar?
- Why do muscles cause joint pains?
- What can be done about it?
- Why is self-treatment a better alternative than going to a therapist?
- How long before I feel relief?
- Will I be able to continue working or exercising while I am doing Julstro techniques?
What is RSI and what is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury. It is caused by the frequent contraction of specific muscles, to the point of causing the muscle to spasm and the fibers to shorten. The shortened muscle will now pull on both the origination and insertions points on the bone, creating pain at either, or both of those points. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where the medial nerve being pressed at the wrist, causing pain in the wrist and numbness in the thumb and first two fingers.
In both cases the pain is felt in the wrist and first three fingers. When the muscles of the forearm are in spasm from a repetitive strain, you will get pain in your wrist. Also, when muscles that cross over the median nerve are in spasm and press down onto the nerve, you get numbness in your fingers. RSI is frequently misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome because of this reason.
Why do muscles cause joint pains?
Muscles have one primary purpose - to give us the ability to move. A muscle originates on a bone, crosses over a joint, and then inserts onto another bone. When the muscle contracts it pulls on the insertion point and you move the joint. But if the muscle has been held in the contracted position because of a spasm it will continue to pull on the insertion point, even when you are trying to move in a different direction. This causes pain to be felt at the insertion point; just as pulling your hair at the end will cause you to have pain on your head.
The muscles need to be flushed out to remove the toxins that build up because of the repetitive movements. Massage is a key treatment for pressing out the toxins and drawing in the nutrients that heal the muscle fibers. Self-massage will enable a person to stop pain on the spot, preventing a build-up of the toxins that cause spasms to occur.
Why is self-treatment a better alternative than going to a therapist?
The discomfort caused by Repetitive Strain Injury will return because you are still doing the movements that caused the initial problem. When you go to a therapist you are receiving treatment that will last for a certain amount of time ( perhaps a week ), however, unless you change your lifestyle, the pain will return. Self treatment enables you to stop the discomfort immediately. You are not "chained" to any therapist or treatment program.
How long before I feel relief?
There should be some improvement immediately. After that, it will depend on how often you do the self treatment.
Will I be able to continue working or exercising while I am doing Julstro techniques?
For the most part, yes. The majority of people report that they feel an immediate decrease in pain by doing the Julstro techniques, and that continuing the self-treatments only enhances that relief. Many techniques are also given that can be done "on the run" or "at the office". Since people sometimes have other complications that are not muscle related there may be some instances where you will need to stay relaxed while you heal.