Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a tingling, numbness, or weakness in your wrist and hand that persists. That feeling may travel up your arm, disrupting your days and maybe even your nights. It can affect how you grasp or hold objects, complete certain tasks, or even make it difficult to sit and rest your arms and hands. Some strains to the wrist can be temporary and ease up on their own with rest and ice application. When the pain continues or grows worse, it is time to have it looked at by a professional. Pain and numbness that do not go away, that grow worse, or hand weakness that causes you to lose dexterity are all signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, which helps you move your fingers, hand, wrist, and forearm. It passes through the carpal tunnel, a passage composed of bones, ligaments, and tendons.
Many factors can lead to pressure on the nerve, but generally the cause is anything that lessens the space in the carpal tunnel. This constriction could be swelling associated with arthritis, narrowing of the space due to a broken bone, medications, conditions causing nerve damage, obesity, and more. Work conditions can also contribute, such as frequent use of keyboards, computer mice, or any activity involving repetitive and tense wrist movement.
Treating Carpal Tunnel with Massage
Massage is about releasing tension and reducing pain to help your body heal, so it is a fantastic, low-impact way to assist in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Massage therapy can help promote healing, reduce pain and swelling, increase mobility, assist in surgery recovery, and more. Using different massage techniques can optimize relief.
Relaxation Massage
Relaxation massage is a great starting point for tension relief and stress reduction if you are new to massage therapy. Because it is typically full body, you may want follow-up appointments with more targeted techniques to focus on your wrists and hands.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage is excellent for addressing specific pain. After discussing your symptoms, your practitioner will tailor techniques to target the areas causing discomfort. Many clients feel relief after just one session. Sessions may include deep tissue work or gentler techniques, depending on your needs.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy treats areas that radiate pain when pressure is applied, either at the spot or to other locations. Practitioners locate these points and work to release tension, which can ease pain and improve mobility and flexibility. Clients often feel significant relief after a session.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a gentle, sustained-pressure technique that targets the fascia surrounding muscles. Your therapist will locate areas of tension, apply light consistent pressure, ease off, and repeat as the tissue softens. This helps relieve global tension as well as specific trigger points.
Managing Your Carpal Tunnel at Home
Massage therapy is highly effective, but there are also helpful ways to support your treatment at home if you cannot always make it to the clinic.
Wrist Splints
Because frequent bending and tensing can increase pressure on the median nerve, wearing wrist splints to keep wrists straight can reduce symptoms.
Mind Your Tension
Be mindful of hand and wrist tension throughout the day. Avoid activities that strain your wrists and aim to keep them in neutral positions when possible.
Simple stretches and exercises can also help. Even shaking out your hands as if drying them can reduce tension in the muscles and pressure on the median nerve.
Keep Warm
Cold hands decrease mobility. If symptoms flare at work or while driving on cold mornings, try fingerless gloves or hand warmers to keep the area comfortable.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Our practitioners are here to help you experience relief and address the root of the problem, not just mask pain. Understanding the cause of your discomfort is essential for managing and treating it. Through massage therapy, we aim to improve range of motion and mobility while reducing pain.
Carpal Tunnel Massage in St. Albert
Visit Urban Massage & Wellness for carpal tunnel relief in St. Albert. We strive to create a comfortable experience that supports meaningful healing.
There is no need to stick with just one type of massage if you want to try another approach. We encourage exploring different modalities until you find what works best for you. Invest in your health and wellness by contacting Urban Massage today.
