Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy and Bodywork provided by ato eliminate myofascial trigger points in the
skilled Licensed Massage Therapist are verymuscles of the forearm to take tension and
effective in treating muscular pain and relatedpressure off of the tendons in the carpal tunnel.
problems arising from muscular issues. ForThe massage therapist could also use Myofascial
example, in my San Antonio, Texas basedRelease techniques or Deep Tissue Massage
Massage and Bodywork practice I often treattechniques to release adhesions between the
pain from nerve entrapment syndromes includingforearm muscles and surrounding tissues while
the well-known Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Likealso using Muscle Energy Techniques to gently
many painful conditions, Carpal Tunnel Syndromelengthen the forearm muscles. Carpal Tunnel
responds quite well to massage therapy andSyndrome also responds well to positional release
bodywork.therapies such as Ortho-Bionomy which work with
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?the body's nervous system to release muscles
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the name of a painfuland improve joint movement in the wrist and
nerve entrapment condition, in which the medianhand area. Lymphatic Drainage Massage
nerve is placed under abnormal pressure by thetechniques might also be used to enhance lymph
tendons of forearm muscles passing through theflow in the wrist area to decrease pressure in the
carpal tunnel on the palm side of the wrist. Whenarea. Working on the muscles whose tendons go
the tendons passing through the carpal tunnelthrough the carpal tunnel may be enhanced by
become tight and enlarged, pain results fromproviding therapy for other muscles opposing
myofascial trigger points (knots) in the muscles,them to improve muscular balance.
and pressure on the median nerve. Pain fromComprehensive treatment with massage and
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually found in thebodywork, in conjunction with a home program of
palm of the hand on the thumb side. Additionally,stretching and exercise, usually helps to
there is very often numbness or a pins andcompletely resolve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
needles feeling in palm, thumb, forefinger, andOther Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
middle finger. Most of the time the symptoms areWhile massage therapy and bodywork are an
on one side, usually the dominant hand, but mayexcellent treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
affect both sides at the same time. Additionally,there are other treatments you should discuss
people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome often have awith your physician:
sense of weakness of grip in the affected hand(s)Wrist Splints
and symptoms may worsen with continued use.Steroid Injections
What is the cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
There are a number of causes for Carpal TunnelDecompressive Surgery
Syndrome including direct blunt trauma to theOther Names for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
wrist itself, and poorly healed breaks of wrist andChronic Wrist Pain
forearm bones; however, this syndrome is mostPinched Nerve
often caused by overuse and/or repetitive stressThe information in this article has been provided
of the forearm muscles whose tendons gofor information purposes only. It is not meant to
through the carpal tunnel to the hand. Examplesprovide a medical diagnosis, only a licensed
of activities contributing to this syndrome includephysician may diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
prolonged use of screw drivers or other handIf you feel that you have the symptoms of
tools, excessive computer use and typing, detailedCarpal Tunnel Syndrome please see your
work such as needlepoint, and other activitiesphysician for a proper diagnosis and plan of
requiring highly repetitive forearm and wristtreatment which may include massage therapy
motions.and bodywork. There are a number of serious
Massage Therapy and Bodywork for Carpalconditions that are similar Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tunnel Syndromethat could require immediate medical attention.
There are many ways that massage therapy andIf, after consulting your physician, you would like
bodywork can be used to treat Carpal Tunnelto pursue treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Syndrome. The massage therapist will employ awith Massage Therapy and Bodywork please
number of techniques to relieve the condition. Forcontact me at my San Antonio Massage and
example, the massage therapist may useBodywork practice or contact a Massage
Neuromuscular Therapy or Trigger Point TherapyTherapist near you.