Repetitive Stress Trauma: An Introduction
Repetitive Stress Trauma or RST is described entirely by the words that make up the phrase. Repetition implies that the injury is the result of more than one exposure. Typical RSTs result from weeks, months or years of performance of a repetitive task with a specific body part. Stress is the result of inadequate recovery time in between exposures to the repetitious task. Trauma, of course signifies bodily injury as a result of the repetitive stress.
Health care workers primarily view Repetitive Stress Trauma as an occupational or work injury. This thought is based on government statistics which indicate that those who work are more likely to develop an RST injury. While these statistics can’t be denied, they also need to be taken into proper context. In my San Diego based chiropractic clinic, we see many patients with RST injuries. Most of the time, most of the trauma is related to work, more specifically to computer work. Additionally, many of these injured people spend upwards of six hours per day on their computers while at work only to come home, eat dinner, and then sit at their own computers for hours on end as well. It doesn’t matter where the stress comes from, the injury remains the same. That being said, in my 15 years of experience in dealing with RSTs I have found the primary source of irritation to be the work environment.
At this point I will go off on a tangent for just a moment … or more. One of the services that my office offers is ergonomic evaluations. Since most of my patients are in computer related occupations, most of my evaluations are on computer set-ups. Typically, when I question my patients about their work stations I hear the following, “Well, it is pretty good except for FILL IN THE BLANK.” At this point I usually suggest that I come to their place of work and evaluate their work station. They are usually way out of the ideal ergonomic set-up. I see keyboards, mice, monitors and phones positioned in ways that will certainly lead to a worsening of their condition.
RSTs, ergonomics and permanent disability are important topics. As such, I will end this article at this point and be back tomorrow or Tuesday with a continuation of what I have started. This topic will be covered over the next three or four posts. Stay tuned.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
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