Massage Therapy For Carpal Tunnel

Massage therapy for carpal tunnel is the perfect treatment for this painful condition.

There is much that a massage therapist can do to alleviate the pain of one who has carpal tunnel syndrome and massage therapy is the best pain solution.

Have you ever known someone with carpal tunnel syndrome? Maybe you have been diagnosed with it. Those who have it are in a lot of pain and have limited use of their hands. They want help fast. Let me explain this condition and then tell you what a massage therapist can do to help alleviate the pain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome gets its name from a space in the middle of the heel of the hand that has 9 flexor tendons plus the median nerve. It is formed by a U-shaped tunnel of 8 carpal (wrist) bones. The roof of this tunnel is the transverse carpal ligament. Flexor tendons are inside the carpal tunnel and surround the median nerve. The median nerve is what gives feeling to the thumb and the first 3 fingers.

Okay, so now we know what the carpal tunnel is, but what makes the "syndrome"? The problem occurs when the same movements are performed over and over. This can cause injury.

The median nerve that we mentioned above gets compressed or pushed down by the transverse carpal ligament. It is like the roof of the tunnel caving in on the nerve.

The surrounding tendons swell at this point and get irritated through overuse and improper angle of the wrist and arm. This causes extra synovial fluid (the fluid that is found in joints and sheaths for lubrication) in the tunnel which compresses the median nerve more. Then the tendon sheaths thicken which makes the problem even worse.

Also, a lowered ability for grasping, pinching, and manipulating things with the hands is common. Symptoms are worse at night.

The good news is that massage therapists can effectively help with the soft tissue problems associated with this condition. Massage therapy for carpal tunnel is successful in helping most clients under 50 years of age and who have had carpal tunnel syndrome for less than 10 months.

Now that is not to say that if you are over 50 or have had CTS for more than 10 months that you cannot be helped. Give it a try provided your physician okays it.

For clients with acute imflammation, massage is contraindicated. Put ice packs on hands and wrists for the swelling. When the swelling goes down, massage therapy for carpal tunnel is appropriate.

Once the acute inflammation has subsided, the massage therapist should use ischemic compression, cross-fiber friction, and deep thumb stripping on the finger flexors, extensors, and their tendons that cross the wrist.

For clients with chronic inflammation, edema (swelling) can be lessened by elevating the limb and using centripetal effleurage which means moving the fluid toward the heart with effleurage. Penetrating moist heat will soften tissues and allow stretching for fibrous adhesions. Cross-fiber friction will loosen scar tissue.

To maintain range of movement, the therapist should do passive joint movements of the elbow, wrist, and finger joints. It is also important for the therapist to massage the neck, shoulders, upper chest, and arms.

The therapist can educate the client by showing stretches and range of motion exercises to do. Also the proper arm to wrist angle should be demonstrated and advise the client to avoid excessive flexion (bending) of the wrist.

Massage therapy for carpal tunnel, including stretches, will benefit the client who is in pain. Give massage therapy a try for this painful condition.

The injuries are from doing repetitive motions like typing, piano playing, needlework, lifting up and scanning groceries like a cashier does, and the list goes on....

Also, carpal tunnel syndrome is an occupational problem for people who are massage therapists, chiropractors, and gymnasts, to name a few more. Carpal tunnel syndrome and massage therapy complement each other.

Some of the symptoms include reduced muscle control, lost or impaired nerve function, diminished strength to grip objects so the hands drop things a lot, tingling, numbness, and pain.

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