Wellness Summary
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Profile

This report relates to a Stick To Wellness evaluation program which occurred in a manufacturing plant in Northern Georgia. The participating facility specializes in the manufacture of Monroe automotive shock absorbers. The vast majority of workers chosen by management to participate in the study are required to stand full-time at the various work sites. Job requirements consist of a myriad of upper body movements which contain variations in lifting and weight requirements.

The Procedure

The 30 day Stick To Wellness evaluation program commenced, following an in-service which explained concepts and protocols to the assembled workers, on April 2, 1997. The workers chosen by management numbered 98 taken from two shifts of a single department. A generic Pain Index Questionnaire containing 60 questions was completed and identified with signature by each participating worker. The participants were advised that an identical questioning would follow the evaluation program.

The Protocol

The company provided each participant with an Industrial Intracell Stick designed to perform Stick To Wellness exercises. The company safety director mandated that it be used both at work and in the home. At the work station, participants were given 2 minutes of company time to address priority muscles prior to commencing each work shift. Additionally there were two 90 second, strategically assigned, periods during each work shift. Each company-timed session was performed individually without the benefit of a group leader or controlled buddy system.

The Findings

On May 2, 1997 a follow-up generic Pain Index Questionnaire was completed and signed by each participant. The findings reflected a 26% cumulative decrease in the pain index. During the same session each participant completed a Stick To Wellness evaluation form. A surprising 96% stated that they had used the Stick at work as directed. Use of the Stick at home drew an 88% positive response. A total of 69% stated they felt less tired and sore at the end of the work shift, and 72% stated they could better perform their job duties. Of the 98 respondents, 91% wanted to continue the Stick To Wellness program. As an added bonus, company records documented an increase in production to an all time high during the test period.

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Compiled by RPI of Atlanta

The Profile

Gip’s Manufacturing Company is a contract maker of men’s and women’s clothing based in Northern Georgia. It’s aging female workforce always sits at the work station. The upper limbs constitute the priority work muscles, however all operators use a foot pedal. Each operator performs short, repetitive tasks. Individual speed is important because the team of workers are paid solely by production incentives.

The Procedure

A 30 day Stick To Wellness evaluation commenced on August 18, 1997. Concepts and protocols were explained to the eleven participating workers, who were selected by the company. The McGill Pain Questionnaire was completed by each participant. The group was advised that a second identical questionnaire would be expected upon completion of the evaluation period. Stick To Wellness exercises were explained and demonstrated with emphasis placed on priority muscle groups.

The Protocol

Gip’s Manufacturing Company provided each participant with an Industrial Intracell Stick used to perform Stick To Wellness exercises. The company allowed each worker to independently perform the exercises at individual work stations. Each worker was encouraged to perform the exercises each morning immediately before work commenced and, again, following the lunch period. A shorter exercise period was allowed during mid-morning and mid-afternoon work breaks. The total 4 periods of Stick To Wellness exercises amounted to 6 minutes. Company officials strongly urged the participants to continue Stick To Wellness exercises at home.

The Findings

A second McGill Questionnaire was completed on September 23, 1997. The findings documented a cumulative 54% decrease in the initial pain rating index. Concurrently a Stick To Wellness evaluation form was completed by each participant. According to the response, 100% of the workers followed Stick To Wellness exercises both at work and at home. A total of 91% stated that they felt less tired and sore at the end of the work day. Those wanting more time to perform the exercises at work numbered 73%, and 91% preferred to make the Stick To Wellness exercises part of their permanent work routine.

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Compiled by RPI of Atlanta

The Profile

ASR Manufacturing Company is a Northern Georgia based manufacturer of trampolines. It’s work force is primarily middle-aged females who sit as well as stand at the various work sites. Priority muscle use is directed mainly to the upper limbs except for a small percentage that also use a foot pedal.

The Procedure

A 30 day Stick To Wellness program was instituted on August 18, 1997 following an in-service explaining concepts and protocols to the participating workers. A total number of 19 workers were selected by company officials. Participants were gathered from departments that historically have suffered with the most physical complaints. The McGill Pain Questionnaire was completed by each worker and the form contained no worker identification. Each worker was advised that they would be asked to complete an identical form at the end of the 30 day evaluation.

The Protocol

The ASR Company provided each worker an Industrial Intracell Stick to perform Stick To Wellness exercises. Due to convenience, the workers were unequally divided into two groups. Both groups had a company appointed team leader who mandated whole body Stick To Wellness exercises before the work shift commenced and, again, following the lunch break. Each session was timed at 5 minutes with the initial 3 minutes of each session directed to self-use. The final 2 minutes of each session was utilized as a “buddy system” with each worker assisting his/her partner for 1 minute each.

The Findings

On September 23, 1997 another McGill Pain Questionnaire was completed by each participant. The findings documented an 8% decrease of the initial pain rating index. At the same time a Stick To Wellness evaluation form was completed by each worker. The findings indicated that 100% of the group used the Stick at work as directed by the team leader. Only 84% stated that they used the Stick at home. A total of 42% said they felt less tired and sore following the day’s work, and 53% stated that they would like to have more time at work to use the Stick. A total of 79% wanted to continue the Stick To Wellness program.

• It is not only the rate of muscle fatigue that reveals the problem, but the rate of muscle recovery as well.

• Muscle recovery is dependent on a nutrient rich and oxygen laden blood supply.

• Restricted blood flow occurs in generalized muscle tightness as well as localized muscle bundle shortening.

• Stretching procedures address generalized muscle tightness but fail to inactivate the segmental, ischemic muscle bundle.

• This shortened muscle bundle [or knot] is the reflex mechanism of a barrier trigger point.

• The INTRACELL® Stick® provides painless non-invasive myofascial release, which inactivates trigger points and muscle tightness.

• This biomechanical release calms the reflex mechanism which allows relaxation of the myofascia.

• The return of non-restricted blood flow physiologically promotes healing and elevates both quality and quantity of motion.

FAQs . . .

Q: What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [ CTS ]?

A: CTS means there is a painful pressure against the median nerve which runs through a tunnel formed by wrist bones. No local etiology for nerve compression is commonly detectable.

Q: Why is it called “carpal tunnel’?

A: Anatomically, the tunnel is formed by the carpal bones of the wrist, which is deepened by the tubercles of the scaphoid and trapezium on the radial side and by the pisiform and hook of the hammate on the ulnar side. This concavity is converted into a tunnel by the tough flexor retinaculum which stretches between the tubercle of the scaphoid and ulnar styloid.

Q: What passes through the tunnel?

A: The eight flexor tendons of the fingers, the long flexor tendon of the thumb, and the median nerve all share space in the tunnel.

Q: Who is the primary target?

A: Although CTS affects people in many fields – it is common among drivers, draftsmen, secretaries, meat cutters, musicians, assembly workers, tennis players, canoe paddlers, carpenters, needlepoint stitchers and others. It is best known for its effect on users of computer keyboards.

Q: Do other conditions contribute to CTS?

A: According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, “Other conditions associated with CTS include arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy and hormonal changes that occur during menopause.”

Q: What is the prevalence of CTS in the general population?

A: According to an article in The Journal of the American Medical Association [JAMA], “Symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling in the hands are common in the general population, suggesting that one in five people who report these symptoms may have carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS].”

Q: Who are the risk takers?

A: According to a recent report form Purdue University, “When a person increases the amount of time spent at the keyboard form one hour to four hours a day, they also increase the probability of acquiring CTS from 45% to 92%.

Q: What is the earliest sign?

A: According to Barbara Guse, PT, an authority in cumulative trauma, “The first symptom is muscle fatigue. Later there is intermittent achiness or burning sensations in the muscles.” Muscle weakness is an early sign in most any soft tissue lesion.

Q: Is CTS a condition of “overuse”?

A: Although it is classified as an overuse injury, Intracell Technology likes to think of it as a failure to recover. A study at the University of Michigan, sponsored by NIOSH, suggested that, “It is the repetition of tasks without adequate recovery time that causes the inflammation.”

Q: Is hand position a factor?

A: Working with hands bent upward at the wrists or frequently bending the wrists sideways exaggerates the amount of friction inside the carpal passage, requiring longer recovery time.

Q: What limb is most vulnerable?

A: The extremity of dominant use is usually involved. When bilateral, the extremity of dominant use is commonly involved first and is more severe.

Q: How is the diagnosis confirmed?

A: Although a standard criteria for diagnosing the syndrome has not been established, the definitive diagnostic procedure is electrodiagnostic studies of the median nerve. These studies may confirm CTS accurately in most cases, however, false positive tests can and do occur.

Q: What are the cardinal nerve symptoms?

A: Pain, tingling & numbness in the thumb and first 3 fingers.

Q: Does pain and weakness of the fingers and hand always mean CTS?

A: NO – It has been estimated that fewer than 6% of those reporting symptoms have true CTS.

Q: What is the early treatment?

A: Stabilizing the wrist joint with cock-up splints is a common practice. The Center for Carpal Tunnel Studies in Paradise Valley, AZ, however, reports about 70% improvement of symptoms with myofascial release.

Q: What abut rest periods at work?

A: Russian studies have shown that muscle recovers faster with massage than with rest. This finding is substantiated by Intracell Technology.

Q: Is on the job stretching helpful?

A: When muscle tires it shortens. The goal of traditional stretching is to return muscle to it natural length. Segmental stretching, however, is much more helpful because muscle does not uniformly shorten.

Q: What is segmental stretching?

A: Intracell Technology explains segmental stretching as, “The art of biomechanically extinguishing barrier trigger points prior to and during traditional stretching.”

Q: How can CTS be avoided?

A: Variation of hand use, which encourages muscle recovery, is a key factor in avoidance. Muscle recovers best with a copious, nutrient-rich blood supply.