Ergonomically Yours

The human body is capable of two kinds of muscular effort.  These muscular efforts are known as dynamic effort and static effort.  It is the static effort that creates repetitive stress trauma.

Dynamic effort is a term used to describe a muscular contraction that is used to move a joint through its range of motion.  With a dynamic contraction, the length of the muscle is changed by the motion of the joint.  During dynamic contractions, the body is able to supply an abundance of oxygenated blood to the muscle in use.  This is an ideal muscular contraction scenario.

Static effort is a term used to describe a muscular contraction that does not move a joint through its full range of motion but rather acts on the joint to provide a static or fixed position.

The problem with static contractions is that they require more blood flow then the muscle is able to get.  Muscles that are performing static contractions restrict blood flow because the blood vessels are compressed or pinched.  When muscles are asked to perform with reduced blood flow, they are deprived of oxygen.  Muscles that have to continue to perform in hypoxic environments build up lactic acid and other toxins that irritate and inflame the surrounding soft tissues.  When these muscle groups are asked to perform under these conditions on a daily basis they reach a point that they can’t recover from.  It is at that point that injury occurs.

This is the type of muscular contraction, when performed on a regular basis, which causes repetitive stress trauma.  Repetitive stress trauma is the precursor to an alphabet soup of work injuries.  Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, DeQuervain’s syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome are just a few of the conditions that can be caused by repetitive static muscular contractions.

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Here’s To Your Health

Yours Ergonomically,

Dr. Jones

Economic Mouse Pad
San Diego Chiropractic
Pain Relief San Diego Chiropractic

(619) 280-0554