Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a painful ache and/or tingle in your hands caused by the median nerve becoming pressed or squeezed at the wrist. CTS is more common among those that perform manual labor, such as assembly line workers. However it is also a common occurrence for those that use a keyboard daily like data entry personnel.
How you know if you have CTS?
Well, if you have frequent burning, tingling, itching or numbness in the palm of the hands and fingers especially in the thumb, index finger and middle finger, you may have CTS. If you suspect that you do, please consider consulting a doctor. While you are waiting for your appointment, you can try the technique below to help with your symptoms.
Step 1. Place one arm palm up on a table in front of you. Place your second forearm on top the first forearm and right below the elbow. Press your second arm deeply into the original forearm and glide toward your wrist. Do this 3X.
Step 2. Turn your forearm over and repeat the gliding motion along the other side. Do this 3X.
Step 3. Grab your original forearm with your second hand, right below the elbow, with firm pressure. While grasping, flex and extend the wrist on your original arm. Move your second hand down (or distal) away from the elbow. Repeat the flexion and extension until you have worked all the way to the wrist.
Step 4. Stretch the wrist for 20 seconds in both main directions.
Step 5. Repeat the whole treatment along the second arm.
Step 6. After treatment on both arms has been completed do some wrist circles (R.O.M.)
This treatment is designed to slowly repair the wrist and forearm. Use caution when beginning this treatment. If you feel you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, do not put a lot of pressure or dig into the forearm at the beginning. Try the treatment and then gradually increase your pressure over time.
By: Ross Ashcraft and Natalie O’Conner
I worked at a computer for many years and luckily didn’t have any of these problems, it is nice to know there are exercises out there that will help with this problem if I encounter someone with it.
I think these exercises would be as beneficial to the therapist as it is for the client. It’s very important that we protect our hands and wrists.
I remember you coming to cld and talking to us about carpal tunnel syndrome and show us this technique. I like how simple it is but it can make a difference. It will be sweet to use this and to show others so they can feel good to. :))
These techniques are simple yet very effective. They are great to do before and I think even after giving a massage.
Regardless of whether or not you have CTS, this is great for anyone that frequently uses their arms (like LMT’s) and wants to prevent CTS. It feels pretty good too after you do it for a while.
I have been doing these exercises before and after class just for strength and flexibility.
I have known many people who have had Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and I hear the remedy is always surgery. The surgery outcome seems to be effective. However, I have never heard a more natural healing until now. I’m saving these notes and going to suggest this technique to a co worker. This will save some down time at work and an alternative to having surgery. This is great information. Also, I can benefit from this information as a License Massage Therapist.
This is great information. This, combined with we learned in lab this week would be very helpful for someone with CTS.
This is a really awesome technique. This could help a lot of people. I can’t wait to try it.