The shoulder is a sophisticated piece of machinery, including numerous joints connected to surrounding musculature. The shoulder’s complex construction allows us to operate our upper limbs in versatile ways. However, its complexity also leads to shoulder pain for many individuals.
The topic of shoulder discomfort and its relationship to work injury was covered in an article published in July on Healthline. The medically reviewed health informational site’s editorial team notes that pain related to shoulder issues “often stems from prolonged, repetitive, or awkward movements,” resulting in a condition known as cumulative trauma disorder or RSI (repetitive strain injury).
The nature of repetitive strain
Understandably, people often develop this particular type of shoulder pain at work. Performing the same task over and over again can strain the fibers of the neck, shoulder, and arm. Types of tasks that tend to lead to RSI are as follows:
- operation of industrial tools and devices
- repeated clicking of PC mice
- scanning of products in a grocery checkout line
- pickup and transfer of weighty items.
How shoulder pain arises
Discomfort from rotator cuff injury and other shoulder injury caused by repetitive strain typically develops over time. It is not always easy to determine what activity is causing the aggravation. Here are several possible sources:
- holding the body in a single set position – a static load – for an extended period
- holding the body in unnatural positions
- mechanical contact stress, which can develop when typing if you keep your wrists on an unprotected surface
- any type of continuing pressure, no matter how minimal
- upper-extremity vibration, which can occur with some electrical devices
- general vibration, which can occur when traversing roadways
- extraordinarily hot or cold weather
- maintaining a position in which the arms are higher than the shoulders.
As you should be able to tell from the above, shoulder pain can arise on the job even if your position is not physically taxing. Many RSIs result from desk jobs. Pain management specialist Micke Brown notes that computer work “can weaken your muscles and set the stage for pain.”
Avoiding shoulder discomfort from work injury
Try the following tactics to stop shoulder pain in the workplace:
- improve your surroundings, as with an office ergonomic strategy (right angles at knees, hips, and elbows, as advised by the Mayo Clinic)
- pay attention to your posture, maintaining a healthy stance throughout the day
- pay attention to your body generally, adapting to minimize force.
Healthline also recommends that those who suffer from rotator cuff injury or other shoulder conditions should seek professional help to expedite recovery: “Unaddressed problems only get worse.”
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