Jul
12
Written by:
Jane Bridgeforth
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Do you have tingling, pain, numbness and weakness in your hands, fingers, wrists, upper arms, elbows, shoulders or neck? Are you engaged in repetitive tasks at home or at work? Do you suspect you are suffering from what your neighbor or coworker has said is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)? What does that mean?
Well, your carpal bones are wrist bones. These bones make a semi-circle in your wrist. A ligament called the flexor retinaculum (transverse carpal ligament, or anterior annular ligament) forms a roof over these bones and makes a tunnel in the palm side of your wrist. This carpal tunnel has nine tendons running through it which bend your fingers and wrist and also contain blood vessels that supply the palm and fingers. The median nerve runs through this channel as well. Originating in the neck, the median nerve runs down the middle of the forearm, through the carpal tunnel, and down to the hand muscles. This nerve is responsible for sensory and motor function in the hands.
All is well until something happens and a change occurs in the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel size may decrease or the tissues inside the tunnel may swell and increase in size. Factors such as wrist alignment, repetition, force, and posture while doing daily tasks are presumed to affect what goes on in this area. A popular theory is that CTS results from occupations where the hands are used repeatedly, such as meat cutters, musicians, computer users, housewives, and even massage therapists, etc. but many people develop CTS regardless of occupation.
If you suspect this is what you have, don't wait for the symptoms to go away. Go see your doctor. Various forms of treatment are available, including the use of splints or braces, physical or occupational therapy, chiropractic care, and medication. Surgery, of course, is your last resort.
Once a diagnosis has been made, or if you have already been diagnosed, consider massage of the areas along the path of the median nerve. Remember that the median nerve runs from the neck down to the hand. By using a variety of soft tissue and stretching techniques, your massage therapist can help ease some of those symptoms. Using this alternative form of treatment may be just what you need.