Sycamore Chiropractic

Injury & Accident Care

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Expert chiropractic treatment for repetitive strain injuries at Sycamore Chiropractic in Laguna Hills, CA.

Understanding Your Injury

About This Type of Injury

Repetitive strain injuries — also called cumulative trauma disorders — develop gradually as the same motions are performed hundreds or thousands of times per day, week after week. The tendons, nerves, and muscles involved in these repetitive movements become inflamed, compressed, or scarred, eventually producing pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of function. Office workers who type and mouse for hours develop carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic neck and shoulder tension. Assembly-line workers develop tendinitis and nerve entrapment. Cashiers, dental hygienists, hairstylists, and musicians are all at elevated risk. Because the onset is gradual, many people tolerate months of worsening symptoms before seeking help.

Sycamore Chiropractic in Laguna Hills treats the musculoskeletal component of repetitive strain injuries that most other providers overlook: the spinal and joint misalignments that compress the nerves feeding the affected extremity. Carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, is often not purely a wrist problem — nerve compression in the cervical spine or thoracic outlet can mimic or amplify wrist symptoms, a pattern known as double-crush syndrome. Dr. Craig Petersen evaluates the entire nerve pathway from spine to extremity, identifies every point of compression, and builds a treatment plan that addresses all of them. This whole-body approach is why our patients get better when wrist braces and anti-inflammatory medications alone have failed.

What to Watch For

Common Injuries

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome and median nerve compression
  • Cervical spine misalignment contributing to arm and hand symptoms
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Lateral and medial epicondylitis (tennis/golfer's elbow)
  • Chronic neck and upper trapezius tension from desk posture
  • De Quervain's tenosynovitis (thumb tendinitis)
  • Rotator cuff tendinitis from repetitive overhead work
  • Lower back pain from prolonged sitting or standing

Drug-Free Recovery

How Chiropractic Helps

Dr. Petersen begins by tracing the nerve pathway from the spine to the symptomatic area, testing for compression at every level — cervical spine, thoracic outlet, elbow, and wrist. Chiropractic adjustments to the cervical and thoracic spine relieve the spinal component of nerve compression, while targeted joint mobilization addresses peripheral entrapment sites. Instrument-assisted soft-tissue therapy breaks down the adhesions and scar tissue that form in overworked tendons and muscles. Cold laser therapy reduces inflammation at the cellular level without medication. Ergonomic assessment and workstation modification recommendations are provided to address the environmental factors driving the repetitive strain. Finally, nerve-gliding exercises and stretching protocols are prescribed to maintain mobility and prevent recurrence.

Your Recovery Partner

Why Choose Sycamore Chiropractic

Sycamore Chiropractic offers something most hand surgeons and orthopedists do not: a comprehensive evaluation of the entire nerve pathway from spine to extremity. This matters because treating only the wrist or elbow while ignoring spinal and thoracic outlet compression leads to incomplete recovery and recurrence. Dr. Petersen's patients frequently report improvement in symptoms that persisted for months or years under conventional treatment alone. We accept most PPO insurance, workers' compensation for job-related repetitive strain, and affordable self-pay rates. Our Laguna Hills location is convenient for office workers from Irvine, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, and the broader South Orange County tech and business corridor.

Common Questions

Repetitive Strain Injuries FAQ

Yes. Research supports chiropractic care as an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, particularly when the nerve compression involves the cervical spine or thoracic outlet in addition to the carpal tunnel itself. Dr. Petersen uses a combination of cervical adjustments, wrist and elbow mobilization, soft-tissue therapy, and nerve-gliding exercises that address all points of compression along the median nerve pathway.
Absolutely. Chronic desk-work pain is one of the most common conditions we treat. Prolonged sitting with forward head posture and rounded shoulders creates cervical and thoracic misalignments, muscle imbalances, and nerve irritation that produce persistent neck, shoulder, and upper back pain. Chiropractic adjustments correct the misalignments, soft-tissue therapy releases the tight muscles, and ergonomic guidance helps prevent the problem from recurring.
Recovery depends on how long the condition has been developing and how many structures are involved. Mild cases caught early may improve in four to six weeks, while chronic conditions that have been present for months or years typically require two to four months of consistent care. Continuing the repetitive activity during treatment (which is often unavoidable for work-related injuries) can extend the timeline, which is why ergonomic modifications are so important.
In most cases, no. Dr. Petersen designs treatment plans that allow you to continue working while you recover, with ergonomic modifications and activity adjustments to minimize strain. For severe cases or workers' compensation patients, he may recommend temporary work restrictions or modified duty assignments until the acute inflammation subsides.

Start Your Recovery Today

Do not let repetitive strain injuries control your life. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Petersen and take the first step toward lasting relief. Our $49 New Patient Special includes a full exam, X-rays if needed, and a personalized treatment plan.

$49 New Patient SpecialCall (949) 388-1432