The Most Dangerous Time
In RSI Recovery

When you are following a stretching program and have gotten to the point where you are feeling a real difference and a lessening of your symptoms, you have reached the most dangerous time in your recovery. By that I mean that most people are lulled into believing that they are better and can begin to re-integrate some of the things they have been unable to do and are eager to get back to.

Instead, this is a time when you are just beginning to see the benefits of your stretching program and your tissues are still very much injured. You still need to follow your stretching program and actually enhance that program by creating small changes to the exercises, like adding small movements (pulsing), or slightly changing the line of pull that you feel from the stretch. I have sections in my Self Care Programs that cover these changes. I call them "Adding Movement" and "Searching the Neighborhood". Both very important concepts to employ when trying to fully recover from any RSI.

So, if you feel that you've messed things up by overstretching or overdoing your daily activities, how do you get back on track? It's simple really. If you stop for a moment and analyze what your body is saying to you, it is telling you that it is still sore and irritated. If you pay very close attention, you can probably feel a sizzling sort of sensation, or an irritation that indicates that the tissues are under stress. The very best thing you can do in that case is nothing. Absolutely nothing. I mean put your hands in your lap and spend the day watching TV. Don't use your hands for anything except the most essential tasks. They are screaming for a break. You just have to listen and give them that break.

You will know you can get back to stretching when it has been a full 24 hours since you felt that last irritation-type pain from your hands and arms. Sometimes the most powerful thing to do is to take a real break. When you start practicing your stretches again, go slower and more gently at first to make sure your tissues can handle it. Be kind to your hands and give them what they are asking for and you will see a return to your former state of relief in a very short time.

Also very helpful during this time is to increase your water consumption. Make sure you are drinking at least 2 quarts of water each day, not counting coffee, sodas, teas, or other beverages. This is very helpful for helping to flush out any toxins that have been released from your muscles that may be contributing to your discomfort.

Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts around this problem. Don't let it get you down, however. All of us, including myself, make this mistake from time to time. You can regain your former level of relief with just a little extra care.

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