More than 200 million Americans play video games at least once per week. And whether people are playing these games on smartphones, video game consoles, or computers, the repetitive hand movements made while playing video games can lead to injuries. Fortunately, certain chiropractic treatment methods effectively mitigate these eSports-related injuries.
What Is Repetitive Strain Injury?
Repetitive strain injury, or RSI, can occur when gamers use forceful hand and thumb motions repeatedly during practices and games, similar to tennis elbow in tennis players. Console gamers extend and twist the thumbs, and keyboarders curl and stretch the fingers for long periods of time, affecting the function of the wrist. Continuous clicks for hours on end could also cause RSI.
Other eSports-Related Ailments
“Gamer’s Thumb,” “Gamer’s Wrist,” neck and shoulder pain, forearm pain, or joint stiffness are common eSports injuries experienced by gamers.
They may also present with:
- Swelling of thumb, difficulty picking up items, or pain upon turning the wrist or creating a fist. Gamer’s Thumb is caused by scrolling, tapping, or punching keys.
- Muscle pain in the forearms may be accompanied by wrist pain or stiffness and is caused from long periods of time without breaks, as well as repetitive motion during gaming events.
- Neck and shoulder pain or stiffness. Many gamers use low-quality seating or slouch during games. Poor posture and jutting of the head can also cause discomfort.
Treating eSports Injuries With Chiropractic Therapy
While people generally relate chiropractic treatment to alleviating neck and back pain, many treatment methods can also relieve joint pain throughout the body. Through joint manipulation and other therapeutic techniques, we can decrease the pain associated with eSports and help prevent future injuries. Additionally, we will work with you to develop personalized exercises you can do at your leisure, further bolstering the benefits of your chiropractic treatment.
