Sign Language Can Cause Repetitive Motion Injury
Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome When Using American Sign Language
Mar 24, 2009
Repetitive Motion Injuries, the most common injuries in the US, are exactly as they sound – injuries caused by repeating the same motion over and over until the tissues are inflamed and damaged. As with sports and clerical RMI’s, signing injuries can take various forms:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendonitis/ tendinitis
- Bursitis
Repetitive Motion Injuries Can Force Early Retirement
Pain can occur in any joints or muscles from the wrists, arms, elbows, shoulders, back or neck. Too often, this forces sign language interpreters to work with constant pain or retire early.
In their report, “Standard Practice Paper: Cumulative Motion Injury” by the Professional Standards Committee, published by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in 1997, the RID lists major causes of Repetitive Motion Injury (also known as Cumulative Motion Injury or Cumulative Trauma Disorder):
- Forceful, speedy, repeated movements
- Awkward hand positions and postures
- Insufficient rest between movements
- Insufficient time for warm up and cool down of muscles
- Insufficient rest time between periods of intense work
- Tight muscles in arms and upper body during work time
Sign Language Interpreters Predisposed to RMIs
For those heavily involved in Sign Language, such as interpreters, the hazards are inherent in the job. Jaspar Shealy, PhD, and Wendi Latko, both of Rochester Institute of Technology, along with Michael Feuerstein,PhD, of University of Rochester Medical Center review a study of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders (UECTD) in their paper, “Biomechanical Analysis of Upper Body Risk in Sign Language Interpreting”, [Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, Plenum Publishing Corp, 1991].
In their report they call UECTDs an “occupational health problem in Professional Sign Language Interpreters.” According to their information, sign language interpreters moved at a rate of approximately 270 wrist/arm motions per minute. In one 50 minute lecture, that equated to 13,600 movements at high speeds and extreme positions. “Such job characteristics may predispose interpreters to upper extremity CTD-related disorders.”
RMIs can be Prevented
“Predisposition” does not have to equal “necessity.” Injury prevention for Sign Language interpreters and others using sign language is similar to athletics.
- Warm up before signing at least 15 minutes.
- Limber your fingers, hands, arms and shoulders by going through “range of motion” exercises. Flex fingers, hands and elbows, roll wrists, shoulders, and neck.
- Stretch the tendons and ligaments to be used. Gently but firmly, pull fingers backwards over the back of the hand. Pull the shoulder down while pulling the head/neck away in the opposite direction.
- For extended periods of signing, take breaks after an hour and a half or two hours. Rest for at least 15 minutes before continuing.
- If interpreting, have a partner to trade off with.
- Pace yourself. Don’t continue for too many hours in a given day.
- Make sure your chair is ergonomically correct. If standing, don’t stand in one position for extended periods.
- Strengthen your muscles with regular, moderate exercise.
Periodic massages and other therapies can help relax and rejuvenate tired muscles. If injuries do occur, seek medical attention while it’s still manageable. Better to go through therapy now than surgery later.
For all the pleasure and service it brings, signing is not without its risks. Injuries happen. But they can be avoided or at least minimized with proper care, preparation and precautions. Warm up, pace yourself, cool down and don’t overdo it. Use a partner for interpreting assignments over two hours. And if it hurts, stop! Get treatment. Keep active in sign language as long as you want to – not until it hurts too badly to continue.
