Are you experiencing wrist pain and numbness? You may be suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and medical massage may be the solution you're looking for. So let’s talk about what is carpal tunnel, how medical massage helps and the benefits you should see from a series of medical massage treatments. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that affects many people worldwide, particularly those who perform repetitive motions with their hands, such as typing, lifting weights, massaging with bad form  or doing any sort of manual labor. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome happens when the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament in the wrist causes compression of your arm’s median nerve. The median nerve is the nerve that runs from the forearm into the hand and ends at the finger tips. This median nerve compression will result in symptoms such as wrist pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the wrist, hand, and fingers.  The pain can be constant or it can be intermittent (off and on) the main issue is the pain occurs once you trigger it.  If left untreated, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome  can lead to permanent damage of the median nerve and loss of sensation in the palm and loss of your hand functions. This is why it is important to get it treated while it is in the early stages with some massage therapy. 

Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a progressive condition that worsens over time. Initially Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can start as tingling, (think pins and needles), stiffness, and eventually also shooting pains, burning, and numbness. You might even feel like you lose a little bit of your motor control in 3 out 5 of your fingers.  This is a result of structures in your wrist compressing the median nerve. 

The median nerve controls sensations in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers, and it also controls the thumb’s movement. When carpal tunnel syndrome happens it can happen because the connective tissues could have gotten thick from repetitive use which is most common, but edema and a loose carpal bone can also cause the median nerve to be compressed.  When the median nerve is compressed, it leads to symptoms such as wrist pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers. This nerve compression can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as holding objects or typing on a computer.

The Benefits of Medical Massage Your Condition

Medical massage is a therapeutic approach that can help reduce the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and should be one of your primary ways of treating this issue. The reason being massage therapy can  break down & realign the thickened connective tissue, while lengthening shortened muscles, and increasing fresh oxygenated blood flow to the affected area. Which can all help reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on the median nerve. When stretching is then performed in additional, to medical massage, the massage treatment can help loosen tight muscles, improve flexibility, range of motion, and reduce pain and discomfort even further. Medical massage can also improve the overall function of the hand and wrist, allowing for better performance of daily activities. People sometimes see major improvements just after one session but it is usually a treatment series that gets them feeling like their old selves. 

If you’re curious to know more about a massage therapy treatment series then please check out my video called, “How often to get a massage” and learn more about how to use massage therapy as a tool to care for yourself and keep your muscles healthy and functional for as long as possible. 

How Medical Massage Helps with Pain Treatment 

The reason medical massage helps with carpal tunnel syndrome is because unlike taking a pill for pain relief, a massage therapy session looks to address the root of the problem.  This is partly because medical massage therapy can be customized to address the specific needs of each patient suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, because as we mentioned earlier different sources can cause the same problem. The massage therapist may use techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and stretching to alleviate pressure on the median nerve and improve mobility in the wrist and hand in a customized manner.

After the session to help keep everything functioning normally the massage therapist may also recommend specific stretches, self massage and exercise for the the muscles to maintain stable wrist muscles and improve flexibility in the affected area longer than just with and occasional massage therapy session alone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful and debilitating condition that can greatly impact one's quality of life. However, medical massage therapy can offer significant relief for those suffering from CTS. Massage therapy can improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relieve pressure on the median nerve. 

Additionally, massage therapy can improve overall function and mobility in the affected area. If you are experiencing symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, consider seeking medical massage therapy as a natural and effective solution. If you are in the NYC area and need Medical Massage in New York City then schedule massage with us and get started right away on caring for your body today.