Carpal Tunnel SyndromeAlthough carpal tunnel syndrome (CST) is associated with too much computer work, there has been no scientific evidence to support that. Science does agree that CTS results from repetitive use of the hands and wrists that often put the wrists in awkward positions.There is a small tunnel in the wrist that many tendons and the median nerve run through. This carpal tunnel is surrounded by bone on three sides and the fourth side is covered with a layer of fascia. If the tendons that run through this tunnel get swollen they compress the median nerve. This nerve supplies the palm and fingers. When this nerve is compressed numbness, tingling or a burning sensation will occur in the palm and fingers. You will also experience a weakening grip. In severe cases the muscles around the thumb will atrophy. Women are about 3 times more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome than men. This could be because women have a smaller carpal tunnel than men. Heredity also seems to play a role in whether or not you get this syndrome.
The Touch Institute in Miami did a study on massage and CTS. In the study the control group received standard treatment for CTS. The massage group received an hour long massage once a week for 4 weeks. They were also instructed in self massage and told to massage themselves each night before bed. At the end of the study the massaged group had significantly less pain and fewer symptoms. They also had increased grip strength. A couple of years into my massage career, I started suffering from the early stages of CTS. At the time I did a lot of hand intensive activities. I would do an average of 4 hour long massages a day. Then I would come home and type for a few hours, because I was doing freelance writing at the time also. I was also growing dread locks and would twist the roots of my dreads while I watched television at night. You've got to admit that's a pretty hands intensive day! I started getting a burning sensation in my palms and numbness in my fingers. I remember going to the gas station one day and not being about to grip the pump to pump gas into my car. That's when I decided that I needed to do something. I cut back on my massage schedule a little and started massaging my forearms and hands daily. I bought an ergonomic keyboard and paid close attention to the way I positioned my wrists when I typed. I also started doing yoga regularly. Yoga is a great form of exercise that is also therapeutic. It can help heal the mind as well as the body. Here's a great site about yoga and meditation if you want to find out more. Doing a combination of all of these things helped me get rid of my carpal tunnel syndrome. I've written about the self-massage and stretching techniques I used to get rid of my CTS in my ebook, Self-Massage for CTS. If you notice you are getting these symptoms, you must act immediately. CTS is a progressive disease. It won't go away if you ignore it. A combination of good diet, exercise, awareness of posture, and massage can stop it from progressing.
Trigger point therapy
, shiatsu and neuromuscular massage can all help CTS a lot. I will be writing an ebook on CTS and self massage in the next few months and will put it up on this site. If you found this information about carpal tunnel syndrome useful, you might enjoy my ezine, Healthy Times. Subscribe and get this free downloadable guide to self-massage.
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