By: Debbie Kacic, Licensed Massage Therapist

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is abnormal pressure on the median nerve in the wrist as it passes through the carpal tunnel. Pain, numbness and tingling are felt in the thumb, first two fingers, and palm area as well as in the wrist. Surrounded by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway — about as big around as your thumb — located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel protects a main nerve to your hand and nine tendons that help to bend your fingers. Pressure placed on the nerve by tightening tissues produces the numbness, pain and eventually, weakness in your hand.

Symptoms can first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with their wrists flexed. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to shake out their hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen they might feel tingling during the day as well. Decreased grip strength may eventually make it difficult to form a fist or grasp small objects. In chronic or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people cannot distinguish between hot and cold by touch.

Tasks requiring highly repetitive and forceful movements of the wrist can cause swelling around the tendons, resulting in a pinched nerve and producing CTS. You can help prevent CTS or alleviate symptoms by making some simple changes in your work and daily habits. At the workplace, perform stretches and take frequent rest breaks. Wearing wrist splints will keep the wrists straight and in the correct position. Modify or change daily activities that put pressure on your wrists.

Receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from your physician. You may also want to try wearing a wrist splint at night and avoid sleeping on your hands to help ease the pain and numbness in your wrists and hands. Massage Therapy can ease the pressure on the nerve from tight tendons by lengthening them and the surrounding muscle tissue. As Massage increases circulation and blood flow, it will help to bring healing and repairing nutrients into the area quickly. Massage will also help to push the fluids through and ease edema in the wrist area often caused by CTS. Stretching along with Massage as part of your treatment plan can often times help to correct the situation.

Debbie Kacic is a Licensed Massage Therapist and owner of Nature’s Touch Massage and Wellness Center located at 708 East Smith Rd. in Medina. She can be reached at 330-721-9357 or e-mail NaturesTouch4u@aol.com.

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