Almost everyone knows someone who has a repetitive strain injury (RIS) or pain. RSI comes in the form of aches or shooting pain in the wrist, forearm, and hand. It can also affect the neck, shoulders, and upper or lower back. It can be an occupational hazard for many workers including machine operators, computer keyboard users, musicians, and even massage therapists. But anyone who repeats single movements repetitively can get an RSI. It causes injuries to the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and other soft tissues. The muscle imbalances caused by the repetitive strain can be helped through massage.

Soft-tissue injuries benefit greatly from trained massage therapists and bodywork professionals. Massage helps to relax and relieve the pain by relieving muscle tension. Tight restricted muscles get lengthened and relaxed. A good massage therapist can reduce adhesions of affected tendons where they attach to the bone. They can help break down scar tissue formed due to the repetitive motion and injury. Massage therapy helps speed up the healing process, prevent future injury, lessen pain, and relieve stress. As a natural healing mechanism, massage can help with inflammation, muscle strain, and tendinitis. Massage causes harmful toxins to be removed from the muscles by increasing overall circulation allowing the delivery of nutrients to the associated tissues. It can also in some cases eliminate the need for surgery or pain medication. Also, massaging the neck and shoulders muscles can loosen them and provide flexibility preventing future additional problems.

Trained bodywork professionals using a systematic manipulation trained in range of movement exercises can detect tissue damage. Deep tissue massage works because it releases tension and stimulates circulation to the lymph and blood that improves the supply of oxygen and removes waste. Massage therapists can also use trigger point therapy.

Source: http://www.centerpointmn.com/repetitive-strain-injuries-rsi-and-massage-therapy/