Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common, but painful condition that causes intense throbbing, numbness and even weakness in the hands, wrist and fingers. Often people experience an inability to hold even lightweight objects as they experience a loss of the ability to grip objects. Immediately following a diagnosis, a person is required to wear a brace to help manage pain by correcting the posture of the hands and preventing the condition from worsening. However, surgery is often prescribed for more severe cases. However, many have managed to forgo surgery and escape the pain of this condition through the use of carpal tunnel massage techniques.
Though not yet widely prescribed, studies do indicate an improvement in the level of pain experienced by those who both receive regular treatment by a massage therapist and who practice self-massage techniques at home, preferably just before bedtime when the pain of carpal tunnel is often known to intensify. In one particular study, people with carpal tunnel syndrome were split into two test groups. One group received massage therapy and self-administered carpal tunnel massage techniques at home. After just one month of the study, those in the carpal tunnel massage group reported improvements in the strength of their grip, in their levels of pain and showed loser signs of depression, which is often caused by the debilitating pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. Of the group who did not participate in regular massages, no such improvements were noted. More research is needed before the medical community will begin to offer this option to their patients, but this preliminary study, along with other sufferers who have reported similar results, strongly suggests that relief from the pain and impairment of this condition is entirely possible with carpal tunnel massage.
To self-administer massages, a person should rub the forearm in short, pressurized strokes lasting approximately 2 - 3 seconds per stroke. These same strokes should be applied to the palms of the hand and slightly lighter strokes at the wrist area. A carpal tunnel massage should be administered at least once daily or more times if necessary. After doing so for several weeks, one can expect for the associated pain to begin to subside. Continuing in this fashion for several months is purported by some sufferers to completely reverse carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel can also originate from stress to the neck, back and shoulder areas, so receiving a weekly massage to those areas is also helpful in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, even if a person has not yet developed carpal tunnel syndrome, but is part of a high risk group, weekly massages are advised to make certain that these areas are not over stressed.
Exercises that require stretching, resistance and squeezing of the hands, wrists, fingers, and arms, can be very helpful. By regularly using a stress ball to help with squeezing and resistance, or using range of motion exercise that slowly rotate wrists and stretch fingers, blood can begin to properly circulate in the damaged region and give relief to swelling and pressure on the median nerve located in the wrist's carpal tunnel.
Those who have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and who are already wearing a brace to try to correct the disorder are advised to continue with this method. However, daily carpal tunnel massages and helpful exercises can increase chances of recovery and decrease the necessity of surgery, as well as decrease the chances of further damage to the carpal tunnel.
Though not yet widely prescribed, studies do indicate an improvement in the level of pain experienced by those who both receive regular treatment by a massage therapist and who practice self-massage techniques at home, preferably just before bedtime when the pain of carpal tunnel is often known to intensify. In one particular study, people with carpal tunnel syndrome were split into two test groups. One group received massage therapy and self-administered carpal tunnel massage techniques at home. After just one month of the study, those in the carpal tunnel massage group reported improvements in the strength of their grip, in their levels of pain and showed loser signs of depression, which is often caused by the debilitating pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. Of the group who did not participate in regular massages, no such improvements were noted. More research is needed before the medical community will begin to offer this option to their patients, but this preliminary study, along with other sufferers who have reported similar results, strongly suggests that relief from the pain and impairment of this condition is entirely possible with carpal tunnel massage.
To self-administer massages, a person should rub the forearm in short, pressurized strokes lasting approximately 2 - 3 seconds per stroke. These same strokes should be applied to the palms of the hand and slightly lighter strokes at the wrist area. A carpal tunnel massage should be administered at least once daily or more times if necessary. After doing so for several weeks, one can expect for the associated pain to begin to subside. Continuing in this fashion for several months is purported by some sufferers to completely reverse carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel can also originate from stress to the neck, back and shoulder areas, so receiving a weekly massage to those areas is also helpful in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, even if a person has not yet developed carpal tunnel syndrome, but is part of a high risk group, weekly massages are advised to make certain that these areas are not over stressed.
Exercises that require stretching, resistance and squeezing of the hands, wrists, fingers, and arms, can be very helpful. By regularly using a stress ball to help with squeezing and resistance, or using range of motion exercise that slowly rotate wrists and stretch fingers, blood can begin to properly circulate in the damaged region and give relief to swelling and pressure on the median nerve located in the wrist's carpal tunnel.
Those who have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and who are already wearing a brace to try to correct the disorder are advised to continue with this method. However, daily carpal tunnel massages and helpful exercises can increase chances of recovery and decrease the necessity of surgery, as well as decrease the chances of further damage to the carpal tunnel.
About the Author:
Don't let yourself sit by helplessly as your carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse and worse. Did you know that simply changing several of your daily habits can help alleviate some of the pain caused by CTS? Or that there are easy to learn simple massage that can take away the numbness in your hands? Follow this link to learn carpal tunnel exercises that can help you learn healthy habits for life.
