What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

CTS is common as a work-related, repetitive-motion injury. It occurs more often in women than in men, though there is no evidence that it is gender-specific. Rather, the incidence of the condition correlates to certain occupations. People who work on factory assembly lines, with computers, or in other jobs that require repetitive motion are more prone to CTS. Women are more highly represented in these types of positions than are men, which may be why CTS is more common among women.

The median nerve is one of the nerves which supplies the hand. It passes through the wrist in a narrow channel called the carpal tunnel along with the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor pollicis longus tendons. Inflammation of the muscles, tendons or a fracture of the wrist can reduce the space in the carpel tunnel and so cause pressure on the nerve.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• A dull ache in the wrist and forearm with pain radiating in to the fingers.
• A burning wrist pain with numbness or loss of feeling in the thumb, index finger and middle finger which the median nerve supplies.
• Pain which is worse at night.
• Positive result for Tinels sign (symptoms reproduced when tapping the volar aspect of the wrist (inside).
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Constant flexion and extension of the wrist causing irritation of the tendons which leads to inflammation and pressure on the median nerve.

• acute trauma to the wrist such as fracture of tenosynovitis
• gout
• arthritic conditions
• tumors
• pregnancy
• diabetes mellitus
• hypothyroidism
• aspartame reaction
• Neck and Shoulder Problems are the most common cause of wrist pain.

Prevention / Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The following guidelines are for information purposes only. Seeking professional advice before beginning rehabilitation is recommended.

Tests:

Tap the inside of the wrist to se if there is a tingling sensation in the fingertips or hand. Bend the wrist downward with the thumb and forefinger touching for one minute – pain may indicate CTS.

Your doctor may perform nerve conduction tests to confirm diagnosis and rule out neck nerve compression causing symptoms.

Massage Therapy

Therapeutic Massage performed by a knowledgeable and skilled massage therapist may be an affordable and effective alternative to traditional approaches that have proven unsuccessful. At the least, most CTS cases will benefit greatly from treatment strategies that incorporate soft-tissue therapy. The therapists at Advanced Alternatives Massage Therapy have experience in treating this syndrome with the use of Myofascial Release and Neuromuscular Therapy. Many have found significant relief through the use of these modalities.