RSI Exercises: What Makes An Effective Stretch?
The interesting thing about repetitive strain injuries is that they often develop in layers in the body. Some of the injured tissue is very superficial, and some of it is very deep in the muscle. Depending on where the damage occurs, the sensations you feel from a stretch will differ. Superficial injury will generally feel stronger in sensation and deeper restrictions or adhesions will feel less distinct. Paying attention to the sensations of a stretch means paying attention to all the layers of feedback you are getting from your body.
When you start a stretch, tune into your body's sensations and feel what the stretch feels like. Notice where you feel the pull. Is it changing? If it is intensifying, then back off on the intensity slightly. You don't want to back off to the point of losing the stretch entirely, so you will have to practice how to back off just enough to still feel some of the stretching sensation.
If you start a stretch and find the sensation disappears quickly, wait about ten seconds to see if the stretch sensation reappears, possibly in a new location or in a new depth of tissue. If you end the stretch too soon, you may miss the opportunity to release additional, deeper tissue that can also have an effect on your injury and its symptoms.
Once you have identified the stretch sensation, hold this position for about ten seconds, then release the stretch entirely. As your body heals, you can begin to hold the stretch for longer periods. Just make sure that you remain in constant contact with how the stretch is feeling so that you never allow the sensation to stray into a painful sensation.
It is always wise to add a rest period after practicing a stretch for repetitive strain injury. This allows the body time to complete the lengthening process that you have asked of it. It also allows the tissue time to relax and recoup, helping to prevent any adverse reaction to the stretch, or even to possible over-stretching. When practicing the rest phase of a stretch, remain tuned in to the sensations that remain from the stretch. You want to rest by placing your hands in your lap, in a pocket, or on your belly (if you are laying down) until all those remaining sensations are completely gone.
In the beginning stages of recovery, when the rest period is essential to safe stretching, you will find the rest periods will need to be a bit longer. I feel this is because your body is dealing with so much adhesion and restriction, each stretch has maximum effect on the injured tissues, and those tissues require additional TLC afterwards. As you continue to safely practice your stretches, you will find that the rest period shortens significantly, indicating that your body has released many of the restrictions and adhesions you once had.
Consciously respecting the limits of an injured body will go a long way to help you recover quickly, effectively and with the least amount of repercussions from over-stretching.