Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Try Massage.

Over the last 4 years of practicing Massage Therapy and different modalities of body work, I have noticed an interesting concern from many of my clients. They wonder if they are experiencing symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome because of weakness and tingling in their hands that seems to stem from the elbow or shoulder girdle. They often have a sensation that their arm or hand is "asleep" or "dead" as one client put it.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is when the retinaculum, a thick band of fascia around the wrist becomes very tight and  compromises blood supply and nerve function making it difficult to type on a keyboard or even hold a cup of coffee. Sometimes the symptoms come and go. Repetitive motion such as typing often is what causes CTS. When surgery is recommended, the retinaculum around the wrist is cut and lengthened to allow better circulation. Usually, once surgery is performed the recovery time is a long and painful road and future surgeries are often required to address scar tissue.

I believe CTS is often misdiagnosed. I was very surprised in my first year of practicing massage therapy on my own when I worked with a client scheduled for surgery for CTS. After a detailed description of her symptoms, I worked deep in her neck, shoulder girdle and the auxiliary (armpit). I continued down her arm to her wrist and worked to manipulate the band of fascia around her wrist, attempting to very slowly stretch it. After 3 sessions her symptoms had almost completely disappeared. I continued to work with her for several weeks. She continued to practice the stretching techniques I had showed her and avoided surgery all together. I believe the muscles of the shoulder girdle often pinch the subclavian nerve and blood supply to the rest of the arm, while the muscles from shoulder to hand compensate and the disorganization of muscle, nerve, circulation and mobility are to blame for the symptoms of many cases of "CTS". If the real problem lies in the lack of nerve function and blood flow, I believe the goal is to release the intrinsic muscles squeezing in and blocking the circulation. Success is achievable. Surgery may not be what is needed.

I want to make it clear, in some cases, surgery is a  necessary part of the process to relieve the discomfort of CTS and bring back mobility and function. I do, however, strongly recommend discussing your symptoms with a massage therapist who is working daily with the soft tissue of the body to increase mobility, enhance circulation,  and has an educated understanding of the nervous system. It's worth a shot, and you may avoid unnecessary surgery.