Repetitive Strain Injury

A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a condition resulting from overuse of a tool, e.g. computer, guitar, knife, etc., or other activity that requires repeated movements. It is a syndrome that affects muscles, tendons and nerves in the hands, arms and upper back. The medically accepted condition in which it occurs is when muscles in these areas are kept tense for very long periods of time, due to poor posture and/or repetitive motions.

The Xtensor is a device that helps to reduce or eliminate pain associated with RSI. To maintain a healthy, normal balance, The Xtensor conditions the Finger Extensor Muscles and increases their ability to handle the stress placed on them during the daily activities that contributed to the problem in the first place. The Xtensor works quickly to develop the Strength and Endurance of the Finger Extensor Muscles providing the necessary stabilizing effects to reduce the risk of Tendonitis in the Wrists and Elbows.

The Xtensor is the first product able to precisely target and strengthen the Finger Extensor Muscles while also providing a full, natural path of motion necessary for stimulating the muscles in the elbow. Using The Xtensor strengthens muscles virtually off limits to all other devices. The most well known repetitive strain injury is Carpal tunnel syndrome, which is common among guitarists as well as assembly line workers but relatively rare among computer users: computer-related arm pain is generally caused by another specific condition.

RSI is most common among assembly line and computer workers, and also occurs among certain sports enthusiasts such as golfers and tennis players. It is also a common problem for guitarists, who play with very tensed muscles. Good posture, ergonomics and limiting time in stressful working conditions can help prevent or halt the progress of the disorder. Stretches, strengthening exercises, and biofeedback training to reduce neck and shoulder muscle tension can help heal existing disorders.

Many of these disorders are interrelated, so a typical suffering person may have many of these at once. For other people, no specific diagnosis is possible. In these cases it is often best to treat RSI as a single general disorder, targeting all major areas of the arms and upper back in the course of treatment.

RSI includes the following syndromes (among others):

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome, a form of Ulnar nerve entrapment
  • Intersection syndrome
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS)
  • Stenosing tenosynovitis
    • DeQuervain's syndrome
    • Trigger finger/thumb
  • Epicondylitis
  • Tendonitis
  • Rubik's Wrist (tendonitis or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome caused by repetitive use of a Rubik's cube for speedcubing)