Active Release Therapy
[Now Doing| Some Stretches]
With the all the excitement about E3 coming, I wanted to share some important info with all of you.
Do any of you have aches and pains in your hand, wrist and shoulders from gaming and using the computer too much? You might call it Carpal Tunnel or Repetitive Stress Syndrome. Sadly, its very common and can be quite painful.
I recently learned that what is really happening is years of abuse causes your muscles to knot up. Basically, when you use the same muscles over and over they heat up. Your body cannot handle that level of heat, so as a precaution it forms scar tissue. Over time the scar tissue and muscles will tighten up so much that functioning on a normal level may become difficult.
Fortunately, there are ways to fix the problem. There is always surgery, but personally, Id rather stay away from that. The other option is finding a chiropractor that specializes in Active Release Therapy.
Because I am on the computer for at least 8 hours a day everyday and then play video games in my spare time, my joints had really started to hurt. I had been saying for about two years that I should get it checked out. Finally, when I heard about ART I decided to do something.
I found a good ART chiropractor in my area and let me tell you, it has made a world of difference. The cool thing about ART is that it doesnt take long, isnt very painful can eventually have you functioning at peak performance again.
I have gone five times so far. Each time my chiropractor massages my hand, wrist and shoulder. We do stretches and work out the knots. Then she teaches me stretches to do by myself. Already my shoulder feels 100% better. Different parts will take more or less time to massage out depending on frequency of use.
Id highly recommend check into ART if you having problems. Its fairly painless and works wonders. Its really just a deep tissue massage for your sore spots, but combined with the stretches you learn (and will need for the rest of your life) it is priceless.
If you have any question feel free to ask. Also, check out this ART site to locate a practicing professional in your area.
Nick - May 12th, 2005 - 
VideoGamerJ on May 12, 2005 at 6:15 pm
How did you know your wrist was in bad enough condition. Sometimes when I play Stepmania, my wrist and fingers really hurt (I use both hands too). It gets so bad to the point at which I cannot play anymore.
luigi7667 on May 12, 2005 at 6:23 pm
That happens to me when I play a videogame too long(usually 7 hours is when it starts to hurt)
Joseph Valencia on May 12, 2005 at 6:39 pm
How much does it cost for one of those sessions?
Nick on May 12, 2005 at 6:49 pm
I knew there was a problem when I was constantly sore. It was painful and uncomfortable. It was $130 for the initial visit and then $65 for every regular visit. Totally worth it.
drGherbik on May 12, 2005 at 7:31 pm
The body has a way of telling you to take a break. Its probably a good idea to listen.
Steven on May 12, 2005 at 10:26 pm
I’ve been having serious problems with tendonitis in my wrists and hands. It’s quite painful at times and very debilitating as I work on a keyboard all day. Seven months and no relief yet despite visit after visit to several doctors.
Stuff like this makes me realize Nintendo did the right thing with those health warnings at the start of their games. Repetitive strain injuries should be treated very seriously as they’re quite tough to deal with once they set in.
uv on May 13, 2005 at 5:58 am
i had to undergo surgery and it left me with about 1″ scar on my right wrist because of something quite similar and related. i gave it some good thinking, found out all of the time, for years, i’ve been holding the mouse with my wrist bent to the right, which in combination with my speed-typing, eventually brought me this. i have my scar but also i’ve learnt my lesson. take breaks, exercise doesnt need to be long or complex, just shake and move your hands/wrists every now and then, you’ll feel much better about yourself and you’ll worry less. rsi can hardly get anymore serious..
Steve Pick on May 13, 2005 at 1:30 pm
Best thing you can do is take regular breaks from videogaming. I think it’s something like 15 minutes every hour, and that’s for computers as well. What I do is use the 15 minutes to make a cuppa and some toast or something, rather than some crazed over-disciplined measure. Also make sure you have a window to look out of at times to avoid eye strain!
Steven on May 13, 2005 at 1:31 pm
I just made an appointment for an ART session on Monday! It sounds very promising and I’m pretty much done wasting my time with traditional methods. I’ll let everyone know how it turns out.
Matt on May 13, 2005 at 1:52 pm
I’m on a computer or video game probably 9 hours a day. My wrists only hurt when I do pushups or benchpress with my hands not at the right distance on the bar. I think I just have weak wrists. Maybe you all should get one of these
http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?sku=DF297
I have one, but unfortunately I haven’t been using it on a consitent basis.
L8A
douG on September 2, 2005 at 10:46 am
My rsi symptoms have become chronic (index finger on right hand) and I finally went to a chiropractor who does ART. Twenty minutes and $31 CAD later, I am 50% better. Amazing improvement. However, I realize that my symptoms will return without regular (hourly) stretches. Please try ART before you let them cut you.
Miss Julie on September 15, 2005 at 3:32 pm
I have a Worker’s Comp injury from long ago (I used to be a stage hand now I’m an office puke). My Chiro passed a way and the one that took over was well versed in ART. It totally makes a difference!!!! Where the other chiro would have me spend time (an hour) with the the message therapist before adjusting me, now its faster and hurts less. Over time, (when I am healthier) the pain has been less and less. Anything is better than the numbnes I would otherwise feel and surgery is not an option. I’m lucky, since this is ‘work comp’/'future med’ they pay for everything. One word of advice: Never C&R a work comp claim, always do future med. Trust me!!! JP