How to Prevent Repetitive Motion Injury

Repetitive motion injuries occur when you perform the same motion over and over throughout the day. Typing, lifting and carrying are all repetitious motions that, performed repeatedly, can lead to repetitive motion injuries. Also known as repetitive stress injuries or repetitive strain injuries, there are ways to prevent these types of injuries no matter what motion you are constantly performing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Perform conditioning exercises before performing a repetitive task. Stretch the body part you will be using to prevent repetitive motion injuries. For instance, before typing, flex the fingers and stretch the wrists to ease tension and relax the muscles.
2. Take frequent breaks from a repetitive motion to avoid injury. If you're sitting typing for long periods of time, get up and walk around; if you're hammering nails all day, stop every hour or two and stretch and relax your hands and wrists.
3. Use tools designed to ease the tension of repetitive motions. Use wrist pads or wrist braces when typing, or use dollies or hand carts when lifting and moving heavy objects.
4. Make sure your back is straight at all times, no matter what type of repetitive motion you are doing. Good posture helps to prevent repetitive motion injuries. Whether you're sitting, standing or lifting, good posture will help prevent repetitive motion injuries.
5. Exercise on a regular basis to strengthen and tone your joints and muscles. Being in good physical shape will help your body to better endure repetitive motions and to prevent injuries.

Tips & Warnings

• Stop a repetitious motion as soon as you start to feel any pain.
• Repetitive motion injuries do not heal overnight. These injuries take months and even years to develop, and can take just as long to heal.