Carpal Tunnel

[shadowweavers]

Hi, I am in massage school and have to do a paper on Carpal Tunnel syndrome.  Can someone recommend a good book or two on CTS and massage treatments to help alleviate/relieve the pain? Thanks in advance, Janet

 

[Ian Loves Noel <3]

Janet,There is an article in the current issue of Massage & Bodywork on CTS that seemed pretty interesting to me.I've never been to one of her continuing education workshops, but I've seen a video done by Kate Montgomery. Here's her website: http://www.sportstouch.com/The video was very good I thought, but I don't think it's available anymore... but she has produced a book or two I for CTS treatment I believe.I think the most interesting thing I ever read about CTS, is that 80% of the people who have CTS have a problem higher up in the neck and shoulder.  So, often, treating the wrist and forearm alone is not enough.I recently read some interesting stuff on the net which included an article about CTS at http://www.appliedmotorcontrol.com. that gets you off to a good start on your CTS paper, if I think of other books or videos, I'll let you know.

 

[Skully]

Thank you so much for the information.  I will definately look up the web sites you posted. Your user name is quite accurate.  I have read a few of your replies and you are definately a teacher to those of us new in the field. Janet

 

[CARAMEL LOVE]

This is wonderful information and could very well explain some of my own shoulder/arm/thumb issues.  Is there a book we can read about this instead of having to attend a seminar?  I can't make it to Cali.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Carpal Tunnel

Deb (Tranquilmassage) You mean the info at http://www.appliedmotorcontrol.com? I don't think they have a book yet. But maybe they'd be willing to do some traveling if they knew they had enough interested people "out here." Or, maybe they would be interested in producing a video or video series.It seemed to explain a lot about my TMJ pain as well.

 

[- gail -]

Carpal Tunnel

When I work on somebody who presents carpal tunnel syndrome symtoms, I thoroughly flush and strip the wrists & forearms toward the midline, BUT I also make sure that I do very complete work between the shoulder blades & spine (the area where the nerve bundles that supply the arm/hands/wrists/fingers originates). It makes sense to 'go to the source' of the area that's inflamed. I'm not saying that in every case this is the problem, but it's a thorough way to treat the 'whole'. Recommended 'self-help' (if they are motivated) would be to work with a putty ball (available at sporting goods stores) or to invest in a "powerball" (a gyroscopic exerciser available at The Sharper Image & other places). I also discuss alternating ice & heat immersion, which tones & strengthens the nervous system). Remember that nerves move muscles & muscles move the skeletal structures. I sell a product called Biofreeze gel that I use on almost all of my clients. I have 5g sample foil packs to give away for such people. Most of them end up investing (and using!) the biofreeze on a regular basis.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Pompal 09.]

Jill, I forgot to thank you for this information.  I will definately keep it in my paperwork and probably use it for my paper. Janet

 

[Los Rojiblancos]

Carpal Tunnel

good deal.do well & enjoy school!J/ST

 

[Kittie Nya! Nya!]

When I work on someone with CTS symptoms, I use a shotgun approach of hitting all areas.  I use both hands to extend the client's wrist and then use both thumbs to work from midline outward to give a good stretch on the carpal bones and the carpometacarpal joints.  I also work the pect. minor area around the coracoid process, which can impinge upon the brachial plexus.  And I perform PNF stretching with resisted shoulder shrugs and resisted cervical lateral flexion, finishing with some cervical axial traction.  Sounds like a lot, but it can all be performed in less than two minutes if done properly. Remember, if all else fails, trust your judgment in what you think is best for your client.    

 

[Jeski]

Carpal Tunnel

Thanks

 

[The Lord Of Combinatorics]

I am in strong blief that CTS is overly misdiagnosed.  What are the symptoms?  Pain and numbness down the arm?  Tingling in the hands?  Brachial nerve entrapment produces some of the same symptoms as CTS, and working on such a dysfunction is well within our scope of practice.  Just because because I said brachial nerve plexus doesn't automatically mean "go to a chiro"  The brachail plexus weaves right through the scalenes, and pec minor, and becasue of the society we live in, it is quite often that these muscles can become overly toned thus creating dysfunction in the bracial plexus ( due to protracted shoulders, wedging the phone inbetween your ear and shoulder, and upper chest breathing, and many other reasons).  As massage therapists we can directly have an impact on these muscles( and any muscle for that matter) and thus restoring a more normal function for the brachial plexus.  This is my hypothesis anyways.  Thanks for listening...Chris