Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

CTS is a condition that can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in your fingers and thumbs. CTS results from pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. When symptoms first appear, resting the wrist to reduce the swelling of the tendons and the pressure on the nerve is recommended. Commercially available wrist splints can keep the wrist from bending.

What could cause or contribute to CTS?
OA
Endocrine and Metabolic:
RA
RSI
Pregnancy
Ganglion
Carpal dislocationsForeign/ lose bodies
Trauma to the wrist

Non-surgical treatments are Usually more effective if CTS is diagnosed and treated early. Treatments include wearing hard splints at night and soft ones during the day. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce swelling and relieve the pain. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection in the wrist. Acupuncture can also be a successful form of treatment for CTS. Massage and Muscle Manipulation can help take tension of the Median which is compressed. Deep tissue manipulation to the forearm flexor and extensor muscle can change muscle tension as the Nerve passes through the compartment. Seek alternative methods of Treatment before you decide on surgery. Always seek a second opinion.

Most people respond to such treatments for chronic CTS. But, if after about 3 months there is no improvement, outpatient surgery is an option. The surgeon cuts the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel to make more room and relieve pressure on the nerve. After surgery, patients should notice improvement in hand numbness and night pain. The incision may remain for several weeks. Patients are taught hand and wrist exercises to rebuild circulation, muscle strength, and joint flexibility, and it may be several weeks before they can return to their normal level of physical activities. It is recommended to avoid continuous repetitive movements by alternating activities as much as possible. Get some manual therapy to get the scar tissue moving after surgery. Massage/Deep tissue work/ Joint mobs and stretches will aid a speedy recovery.

There are no preventive measures for some of the medical causes of CTS. However, may be able to prevent some of the repetitive stress the wrist receives, such as when using a computer keyboard. Adjusting the work area so that more tasks can be performed without bending the wrist up or down. This may be as simple as changing the height of the chair or using a wrist guard with the keyboard. Stretching the hand and forearm can also help in preventing and managing CTS as prescribed by your health care practicioner.

What is Myotherapy?

Myotherapy is a method for relieving pain based on the application of pressure at trigger points throughout the body. Trigger points are defined as hypersensitive places in the muscles that cause pain in response to undue stress. They may be triggered by occupational or other injuries as well as by disease, physical stress, and emotional stress. Trigger points rarely occur in the same place where the pain is felt. Myotherapy is founded on the notion that relief of tension in the muscle followed by revitalisation of the relieved muscle through stretching, promotes healing and reduces the disposition of the muscle and the nerve to cause further pain.
It can help people suffering from many types of head, back, and neck pain. It also relieves the discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. Patients suffering from multiple sclerosis experience reductions in swelling.
Athletes may experience enhanced performance.
By applying pressure at strategic nerve locations called trigger points, muscle spasms go away. Pain can disappear and relax the muscles associated with the specific discomfort. The therapist first locates and diffuses the trigger points of pain through applying pressure. A series of exercises to progressively stretch the muscles that have been relaxed by the pressure therapy.

http://www.australiannaturaltherapistsassociation.com.au/therapies/myotherapy.php

Remedial Massage Therapy

How does it work?

Massage is simply the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body - the muscles, tendons and ligaments. A massage therapist's hands are his most important tool through which he not only treats the patient but also detects physical and emotional problems. The massage therapist palpates the patient's body to determine the condition of the tissues and the likely source of any pain, and thus the correct form of remedial treatment.

Massage works through the various body systems in one of two ways, a mechanical action and a reflex action. A mechanical action is created by moving the muscles and soft tissues of the body using pressure and stretching movement, thereby cleansing them of acids and deposits. This mechanical action breaks up fibrous tissue and loosens stiff joints.

A reflex is created when treatment of one part of the body affects another part of the body, much like pressing a light switch on a wall to turn on a light in the centre of the room. Just like this electric connection, so too are different parts of the body connected to eachother not just by flesh and bone but by nerve pathways, or flows of energy known as 'meridians'. So, by using reflex action, some therapists will treat a patient's stomach complaint by massaging the arms, and will alleviate pain in the legs by massaging the lower back.