Start Here: Overuse Syndrome in Upper Limb Differences
Education, prevention, and support
Quick Links
How to Talk to Your Child about Limb Difference Overuse Syndrome
5 Habits to Reduce Overuse Risk
Understanding Upper Limb Difference Overuse Syndrome
The Overachiever Trap
Typing/Keyboarding with an Upper Limb Difference (or two!)
Overuse syndrome is one of the most common, and least talked about, long-term issues affecting people with upper limb differences.
People with one-sided limb differences often rely more heavily on one side, develop creative compensations, and work harder to accomplish everyday tasks. As a result, muscles and joints can experience cumulative strain over time. For many children and adults, this can lead to fatigue, pain, reduced function, and difficulty participating fully in work, school, and daily life.
The good news: early awareness, simple daily habits, and supportive environments can make a meaningful difference.
This hub brings together practical, evidence-informed resources to help families, adults, and professionals understand overuse syndrome and take steps to prevent or manage it, without fear, restriction, or toxic positivity.
What you’ll find here
For parents & caregivers
- Daily habits that support balance, strength, and rest
- How to talk with children about body care without making them feel singled out
- Simple ways to protect growing bodies
- Printable handouts to share with teachers, coaches, and care teams
For teens & adults with upper limb differences
- Guidance for talking with employers or supervisors about strain and accommodations
- Strategies for pacing, recovery, and advocacy
- Tools and adaptations to support strength and function
- Understanding early signs of overuse
For professionals
- Clear frameworks for discussing overuse risk with families
- Language that supports prevention without alarm
- Resources grounded in occupational therapy, biomechanics, and lived experience
Posts
How to Talk to Your Child about Limb Difference Overuse Syndrome
Age-appropriate, family-centered guidance for introducing body awareness and self-care — similar to how we teach children to brush their teeth. Free handout.
5 Habits to Reduce Overuse Risk
Simple, realistic habits families can practice together to support strong, sustainable bodies. Free handout.
Understanding Upper Limb Difference Overuse Syndrome
A plain-language overview of what overuse syndrome is, why it affects people with upper limb differences at higher rates, and how it develops over time. Free handout.
The Overachiever Trap
An exploration of how unintentional messaging can encourage overdoing and overachieving by children with limb differences
A note on prevention
Overuse prevention is about building muscular strength and balance early, doing activities with less strain, and incorporating stretching and breaks — not about limiting opportunities
Small, consistent habits, practiced over time, add up to make a difference.
If you’re looking for guidance that honors both function and lived experience, you’re in the right place.
© 2026. Laura Faye Clubok, MS, OTR/L, On The Other Hand Therapy. All rights reserved.