Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Now

Simple Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief - 5 Easy Moves For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Maybe you have a doctor's diagnosis that you have carpal tunnel syndrome.  Or, maybe you don't have an official diagnosis yet.

But, you know for sure that you have do pain in your wrist, hand or arm, or even all three.  Is it carpal tunnel syndrome?  Maybe.

Or, maybe you have repetitive strain injury.  Or, maybe what you really have is...regular, old, complaining muscles.

Regardless of what it is called, the fact is that you have pain, numbness or tingling sensations in your carpal tunnel area.

The carpal tunnel is the internal tunnel, or passageway, through your wrist.  Nerves and blood vessels pass through this "tunnel."  If this area gets compressed for any reason, uncomfortable sensations can result.

Compression can result from movements which aggravate your wrist or arm, or from swelling of the tissues.  Swelling and compression are the result of incorrect and repetitive use of the hands, arms and body.

Whether what you have is called carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injury or something else, the cure is basically the same.

Because the cause is basically the same: soft tissue irritation and muscle imbalance.  Some people might say "soft tissue damage," but I don't want you to think in any way that you are "damaged." 

You're not!

Soft tissue is everything which is not bone.  Muscles, skin, nerves and everything else which is not bone is soft tissue. 

The good news is that soft tissue problems can be made better, and carpal tunnel syndrome is

Carpal Tunnel Pain? 5 Most Common Reasons for Carpal Tunnel Pain

Do you have any of the following symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

• Pain, tingling or numbness in your fingers
• Tingling or numbness in your hand
• Pain that travels from your hands up your arm (as far as your shoulder) or from your arm downward
• Swelling or tightness in your hands or wrists

Have you ever noticed that the following carpal tunnel symptoms seem to increase at night or when you first wake up in the morning?

• Do your hands or lower arms feel weak in the morning
• Is it more difficult to grasp objects or you drop them more than you used to
• Are tasks that require hand strength, like opening jars or using hand tools, harder for you now

If so, you may be experiencing carpal tunnel pain.

I didn't say "carpal tunnel syndrome" because maybe it is, but maybe it's not.  But, we will use the two terms interchangeably here.

In the beginning, the first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome or pain may not be noticeable.  The symptoms may not come too often at first.  They may be mild.

As incorrect overuse of your hand continues, your symptoms may increase.  Increased pressure on your nerves is caused by your tissues getting aggravated (strained) and swelling.

Carpal tunnel pain occurs for a variety of reasons.  It usually results from one or more of the following five common reasons for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Trauma or Injury:

A hard blow to the arm or wrist will make the tendons in your carpal tunnel (a bony area in your wrist) swell.  This swelling is what causes the pain symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.  If you break your wrist, that can also cause the onset of carpal tunnel pain, which may be only temporary.

Genetic Predisposition:
A few people are genetically (runs in your family) more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome than others.  Each person has varying amounts

Carpal Tunnel Book Review: It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!

The book It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! by Suparna Damany and Jack Bellis contains a good story.

The story is about Jack.  Jack was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Jack had carpal tunnel surgery.

Jack was really angry because surgery for his carpal tunnel problem left him, shall we say, untreated.  He still had pain and on top of that, now he was angry, too.

Suparna is an MSPT who treated Jack for his carpal tunnel pain after the surgery.

Fortunately for Jack, Suparna is a superior physical therapist.  After she successfully treated his carpal  tunnel pain, they wrote this extremely practical book.

The subtitle is RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals, but it has lots of great information for all of us with carpal tunnel area pain.

It includes an evaluation of the conventional medical therapies, including surgery.

Are there any parts I disagree with?  Sure.  There are a few. 

I can't help it; that's my nature.  But, overall, this is a very worthwhile book, with lots of helpful links for products, support and info for people with carpal tunnel pain.

So, if you'd like to get someone else's opinions on carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress problems involving hands, wrists and arms, this is a really good resource.

If you have carpal tunnel pain, it is in your best interest to educate yourself well.

"Because You Deserve To Feel Better!"

Carpal Tunnel Pain - Can It Be Caused By The Way You Sleep?

Carpal tunnel pain has many causes.  Here's a cause for carpal tunnel pain you probably didn't think about yet:  the way you sleep.

What?  Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by sleeping?  Here's how.

Kay said to me, "I don't remember a lot of the stuff in your carpal tunnel tips booklet, but I remember the part about sleeping on your back to keep your chest open, and I do that.  And my wrists do hurt less!"

When we sleep on our sides, our shoulders generally get squashed forward, toward our chest.  This position shortens our chest muscles,  And, lots of times we have both our arms curled up on our chest, too. 

When we sleep all squashed and rolled forward like this, the muscles that attach our chest to our arms tend to get short.

This is not good!

This causes discomfort in the carpal tunnel area - our arms, hands and wrists (along with many others places, like our back.)  This can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

But, opening up and stretching our chest muscles is good.  Stretching our arms and legs back (behind) us is good for us.  This helps correct and get rid of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Think of a cat, or a dog, or a baby.  Think about how they stretch.

All of them stretch long, and open, and outward, away from the centers.  They do this every time they wake up or get up from a rest.

And so should we.

Stretching like that is a great way to start getting rid of our carpal tunnel syndrome.

We used to stretch, but we forgot about doing that as we grew up and became shy or self-conscious about calling attention to ourselves.

If you're still shy about

Carpal Tunnel Pain Affected By Diet?

If you have carpal tunnel pain, you're going to wonder why I'm telling you this.  I'm telling you because what you eat, or don't eat, can contribute to your carpal tunnel syndrome.

I just read a great - that's my opinion, because I believe it - article at AOL called "Don't Pass On The Butter."

Why did I think it was great?

It told of all the health benefits and virtues of all the real fats, like butter, coconut, eggs and more.

Conventional researchers (not just health nuts) have found health heroes in all of the fats that some segments of the medical profession have been telling us for years and years NOT to eat.

They said these real fats, like sour cream and meat, would clog our arteries.  Now, it turns out - through honest-to-goodness research - they were wrong.

Again.

Remember when margarine was supposed to be healthier than butter?

This is why you need your own sources of good information.  You need to be able to make your own decisions.

There is only one thing I would have added to this article.  That thing would be to buy organic. 

Non-organic fats contain pesticides and hormones.  When we eat non-organic, we eat those hormones and pesticides, too.

Now, you might be thinking, I thought Kathryn said her sources were reliable?  She saw this on AOL?

True.  But, this was not new information for me.

I have read the same thing many times in the last whole-lotta years.  And, that's pretty much how I eat. The only difference was the experts I read were considered to be "health nuts" or "alternative."

What does this all have to do with carpal tunnel syndrome or pain in your carpal tunnel area?

Here it is.  When you eat REAL - not fake - foods, fats and sugars, your body will be able to function better.  You will have less carpal tunnel pain!

Your body will have more of the natural nutrients it needs.  That means less carpal tunnel pain!

You will heal faster and both emotional and physical stresses will bother you less.  Woohoo!  Less carpal tunnel pain!

But, what about the extra calories?

If you have read recent news, you already know that diet sweeteners cause weight gain (not to mention a whole bunch of other health problems.)

When you eat real fats - don't get carried away now, just small amounts - you will find they are much more satisfying, they taste better, and that you can go longer between meals and eat less.

Eggs, too.

Enjoy!

"Because You Deserve To Feel Better!"

Carpal Tunnel Pain - Do You Have To Live With Pain In Your Hand and Arm?

This might seem off the topic of carpal tunnel syndrome, but...

Sharon said, "My mom's been having a lot of back pain lately.  She tried one massage and hurt more afterward, so she's afraid to try again.  She's going to have hospital tests next week."

I asked her for her mom's number (I had met her mom before.) 

I called Lisa and asked her about her symptoms.  (Pain is a symptom - your body is telling you something.)

Now, you must be wondering how this ties in with carpal tunnel pain, right?  I'll get to that shortly.

I listened while Lisa told me where it hurt, how her symptoms had been growing worse, and what her doctor said. 

She even told me what she suspected caused her back pain. 

I told her she was probably correct about the cause of her pain.  It sounded logical to me.  When she drove her car, she would "hover" her foot over the brake pedal in case she needed to respond quickly.

That's not very relaxing for her emotional state and it puts a lot of strain on her muscles, too.  Tight muscles can press on nerves.

Her doctor had told her to "just wait it out.  It will go away on its' own."

I told her that was wise of her doctor. 

I explained why doctors do so many fewer surgeries now for back pain.  In many, many cases there was no relief.  (That's because they were chasing a symptom, rather than actually taking care of the cause.  The cause may well have been muscular. This often happens with carpal tunnel surgery, too.)

I also explained how a nerve needs only a whisper of anything pressing on it to cause symptoms (this includes the nerves that pass through your carpal tunnel.)

Take that barest of pressures off the nerve, and it will settle down.  Sometimes it's as easy as changing positions.  I suggested a relaxation position which would take pressure off Lisa's back.

So, we made an appointment for Lisa to see me the following week.

When I walked into the waiting room to get Lisa, she wasn't there.  Sharon was there!

Sharon said, "My mom hasn't had any pain in four days, so I came in her place."

She continued, "My mom said the strangest thing.  She said, 'I don't have to have pain for the rest of my life'."

One of the things I told Lisa, and that I am telling you now, is that you DO NOT have to have carpal tunnel pain for the rest of your life.

Our bodies are wonderful machines, designed

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Which Neck Muscle Causes Carpal Tunnel Pain?

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, there's a good chance that a muscle in your neck is causing at least part of your pain.

The same muscle that causes carpal tunnel discomfort can also cause that old familiar "knot" in your back between your shoulder blade and your spine.

There is a set of muscles on each side (left and right) of your neck called the scalene muscles.

When the scalene muscles get tight, or aggravated, they can develop "trigger points."  Trigger points are areas of very irritated muscles that "fire," or cause pain, elsewhere.

Trigger points in your scalene muscles can cause pain that seems like carpal tunnel syndrome.  This is because the scalene trigger points fire into the thumb, the backside of the first finger, the outer side and back of the upper arm, the spine side of the shoulder blade (remember the "knot"?), the outside of the lower arm, and the chest between the armpit and breastbone.

That is one nasty muscle when it is aggravated!

These symptoms may be called thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS.)  TOS causes carpal tunnel area pain, and might be misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome.

As you can see by that long list of pain symptoms, the scalene

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - 3 Ways To Get Relief From Carpal Tunnel Pain

Do you have carpal tunnel symptoms? 

You might have thought that you have pain or numbness in your wrist, hand, fingers or arm because you are doing a lot of repetitive movement.

The actual reason may be that you are doing a lot of repetitive movements and you are doing them incorrectly.  That can cause carpal tunnel syndrome!

Some recent research showed that many people do the same type of work, but some get carpal tunnel syndrome and some do not.

Why would that be?

Well, some of us are muscularly well-balanced.  Some people are active and have strong backs, or spend time doing yoga or other balancing activities.

If you were using all of your muscles, you would be pretty well balanced.  If you were pretty well balanced, you would have less pain in your carpal tunnel area (and elsewhere, too.)

But, often we don't use all of our muscles.

Most of us use only about the same 60 or so muscles over and over.  Most of us haven't used ALL of our muscles since we were young kids.

And we have a LOT of muscles!

So, there are three parts to relieving your carpal tunnel pain when it is caused by repetitive movement (repetitive stress or motion.)

1.  Correct your movement patterns.

Doing repetitive movements in an incorrect way can (and will) overstretch (strain) your muscles.  The cure for this would be to explore and find the least damaging ways to do repetitive movements.

For example, holding your elbow close to your body instead of reaching out with your arm.  Holding your arm close to your waist causes less muscle strain, so less pain in your arm and hand.

Think about what you do that you believe aggravates your carpal tunnel pain.  Is it

Is It Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Repetitive Strain Injury?

What is the difference between carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a specific set of symptoms.  It has only a few causes. 

Repetitive strain injuries are often mis-diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Repetitive strain injuries are caused by either over-use, using one's body incorrectly (faulty body mechanics or poor posture) or both.

Some doctors call repetitive strain injury "idiopathic".  Idiopathic means "no known cause."

But, doesn't everything have a cause?  Even carpal tunnel syndrome?

Yes, it does. 

A recent medical study of 117 studies indicated that repetitive movement was not a cause of repetitive strain injury.

Well, then, why do you have pain in your arm, hand and wrist?

Perhaps the researchers did not look quite far enough into the causes of carpal tunnel area pain.

An individual who is very fit and healthy and who has very good posture and a strong back side is much less likely to get a repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel syndrome, either.

But those of us who have muscle imbalances, poor posture, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and are not in the peak of good health, well...

We are much more like to get a repetitive strain injury (as well as carpal tunnel pain.) 

A "strain" means a

How Can I Tell If I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Are you wondering whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome?

There are three categories of people who have true carpal tunnel syndrome:  pregnant women, people with diabetes, and a few people who have a smaller than average carpal tunnel space.

The carpal tunnel symptoms of pregnant women typically go totally away after delivery.

Diabetic individuals need treatment from their doctor for their diabetes.  If it is under control, their carpal tunnel symptoms may go away.

In those two cases, there are soft tissue (everything that is not bone) changes due to the situation that cause swelling and pressure in the carpal tunnel.

The third case is people who have a smaller than average carpal tunnel space (very few people.)  They may be able to reduce symptoms by keeping their weight down, staying in good health, keeping their arm tissues healthy and avoiding aggravating movements and positions.

If you have pain in your wrist, hand or arm, but are not in one of these three groups, then your carpal tunnel area pain is most likely caused by muscles and "trigger points" in your chest, back, arm, neck or shoulder muscles.

If you have numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in the palm side of your thumb and part or all of your fingers except the little finger, you may have true carpal tunnel syndrome.

In that case, your best options are to eat well, stay healthy, avoid movements which aggravate your carpal tunnel pain, and strengthen your back, neck and shoulders.

"Because You Deserve to Feel Better!"

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? What Exactly IS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Are you wondering if you have carpal tunnel syndrome?

Or, have you already been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome?

First, let's start off with a little medical terminology.

A "symptom" is something that shows there is a problem.  A symptom could be pain, a headache, a fever or pain in the carpal tunnel area.

A "syndrome" is a collection of symptoms.  A syndrome is a bunch of symptoms.

If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor has thought, "This person has these symptoms.  If I add them all together, it looks to me like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome."

But, what exactly IS carpal tunnel syndrome?

And, do you truly have it?

The "carpal tunnel" is inside your wrist.  It is a "tunnel" surrounded by the bones of your hand (carpal bones) on three sides and tough tissue on the fourth side (palm side.)

The nerves and blood vessels that serve your hand pass through this space.

If the median nerve gets squeezed or compressed (pressed on) as it passes through your wrist, it can create symptoms.  If enough of those symptoms - pain, numbness, tingling sensations, weakness - appear, then you may be diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are typically in the palm

Carpal Tunnel Pain? This Arm Muscle Causes Pain in the Carpal Tunnel Area

Are you wondering which muscles cause pain in the carpal tunnel area?

Well, many of the muscles in our lower arm (forearm) cause or refer pain into the hand, wrist and arm, but there is one muscle group that causes carpal tunnel area pain often. 

One of them is the thickest muscle in your lower arm, and is used a lot when lifting or holding your arm in a bent position.  Besides causing carpal tunnel pain, this muscle also helps rotate your forearm.

If you hold your arm straight out (as though you are pointing in front of yourself) with your thumb up, this thick muscle will be on the side closest to the ceiling.  There is another muscle almost directly deep to (medical talk for "below") this one.  It's harder to get to, but by treating the thicker, more outer muscle you will still be treating it a little.

Now, you've found this thick muscle. What next?

Pinch it.

No kidding.  There is a carpal tunnel massage technique which involves pinching.  First warm this muscle with some compression (pressing) on it with your other hand or arm.

Then pinch that thick muscle.  Pick it up between your finger pads and your thumb.  Examine, by pinching, the whole area around this muscle group.  Pick up the whole muscle, not just your skin.

If it's pretty tender, that's a good indication that it is part of your carpal tunnel pain problem.

The first time or two that tight muscles are massaged, or worked on, is usually the most uncomfortable.  Tight muscles just aren't used to being poked or pinched.

The "pinching" warms your muscles and gets the blood flowing again.

You can do a little bit at a time, so you don't aggravate your other hand and arm.  Or, you can explain to someone else, maybe a family member, and ask them to do this massage for your carpal tunnel.

Make sure they aren't angry at you, however.  They might take advantage of the opportunity to give you a good pinch!

If you do some of this massage technique every day, you will be loosening the tight muscles that are causing your carpal tunnel pain.

And, that's just what we want to happen.

"Because You Deserve to Feel Better!"

Pain in Your Arm, Wrist or Hand? Do-It-Yourself Massage Helps Carpal Tunnel Pain

Do you have pain in your wrist, hand and/or arm?

Do you suspect carpal tunnel syndrome?

Have you thought about why you have this carpal tunnel  area pain?

We put lots of strain on the muscles in our lower arm during the course of our day.  Maybe your arm is flexed while you carry bags or babies.  Maybe your arms are bent at work.

Perhaps you play golf or tennis.  Maybe you sleep with your arms curled up at your chest.

When we use these positions, the muscles in our lower arms can get over-used or shortened.

These muscles are attached to your wrist and hand, and can cause pain simply by being tight and pulling on bones they are attached.  This pain can seem like carpal tunnel symptoms.

These forearm (lower arm) muscles also can get so crabby that they start to refer pain to your arm and hand.  When a muscle or muscle group is "too tight," or in spasm, pain can occur in the area of the muscle or farther down, in the carpal tunnel area.

How can self-massage help carpal tunnel syndrome?

Massaging your forearm can release the tightness in your muscles.  Massage warms and relaxes the muscles around the carpal tunnel and gets blood flowing through your tissues again.

When muscles are "too tight," less blood and lymph fluid can get through the tissues.  Metabolic (body) wastes cannot pass as easily through your tissues.  Massage corrects this and so helps relieve carpal tunnel discomfort.

Massaging the muscles in your forearm can be done in many ways.

In this article, we are going to talk about a warming technique I'll call "press and pinch."  That gives you a good picture of the technique, doesn't it?

You don't need any oil for this type of massage.

1.  Begin by placing the arm you will be massaging on a desk or table to support it.  Spend a few minutes pressing against your forearm, from wrist to elbow.  You can press with your other hand or forearm.

Pressing helps warm and relax your muscles and soft tissues around your carpal tunnel.

While you

Carpal Tunnel Pain Can Be Reduced With Vitamins and Water

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often caused by a deficiency in certain vitamins.

Vitamin B-6, especially, has been used to reduce the pain symptoms of carpal tunnel.  Researchers have found that a B-6 deficiency will cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

How much should you take to reduce your carpal tunnel pain?

Go to a health food store or shop on-line for a good, high-potency multi-vitamin or B-vitamin blend.  Read the label to make sure there is a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

Read and follow the directions on the bottle.  Drugstore or supermarket brands are usually not as potent (powerful) as those from health food stores or mail order.  Often, the drugstore brands only have a handful of ingredients and a minimum amount of nutrients. 

I'd love to see you take a supplement with a ton of good-quality nutrients.

You might find a blend of a few vitamins which is supposed to be specifically for carpal tunnel syndrome.  It may help, but you won't be getting all the other good things that are in good multi-vitamin and mineral.

What about cost?

The supplements I take cost about $50-$55 a month. 

I figure this is a cost of "health insurance" for me.  I have to pay out of pocket, but I am healthy and rarely ever sick.  In fact, I get sick much less than in the "good old days."

I got serious about supplementing with vitamins and minerals many years ago.  After six or eight months, I realized that I had seven (!) fewer health and comfort issues bothering me.

What is your health worth to you?

Which to choose?

I'm not selling supplements, so it's safe to keep reading :-) 

I order

Carpal Tunnel Pain? Here's a Quick Do-It-Yourself Massage Technique to Relieve Pain in Your Arm, Wrist & Hand

Since muscles are the usual cause of carpal tunnel syndrome,  massaging your muscles will help your carpal tunnel area to feel better.

So here are some quick and easy tips for doing self-massage to relieve your carpal tunnel discomfort.

The muscles that cause carpal tunnel syndrome are in the lower and upper arm.  Sometimes they are also in your neck.  We'll talk about the neck muscles another time.

And, please pay attention to what you are doing.  You don't want to aggravate your carpal tunnel symptoms.

1.  Start light. 

Apply pressure with the palm of one hand to your other forearm (lower arm.)  Just press straight down into the muscle.  Your muscles are below your skin. Press onto your bare skin.

Sometimes even your skin will feel like it hurts.  When we press into a tight area, often it will feel tender.  At this time, you are just seeing how your muscles feel.  Hard, stringy, bunched up?  Tender?  Painful? 

Even though you are just checking out your muscles, you are also actually starting your massage.  Your muscles will begin to relax.

2.  Apply a lubricant.

You can use some massage or body oil, cooking oil, baby powder or any other product that has some nice "glide" to your arm and hand.  Suave brand hand lotion works pretty well, but some others get tacky too quickly.

Just use a little bit.  Too much makes your skin too slippery.  You just want to be able to slide a little on your skin.

Use your other palm or forearm to press a bit deeper into your slightly-oiled muscles. 

If you place the arm you are massaging on a desk or table, that will be a support.  

Simply by leaning 

Carpal Tunnel Pain? How to Find Out Whether Your Muscles are Causing Pain in Your Carpal Tunnel Area

If you read the articles at CarpalTunnelPainReliefNow.com, you know I'm always telling you that your muscles are a prime cause of the discomfort or pain in your hand, wrist and arm.

Here's how to tell if muscles are causing your carpal tunnel pain.

Feel them.

Don't just feel the little muscles right around your carpal tunnel (wrist.)  Feel all the muscles up and down your arm, and even your neck.

Lots of us grew up thinking that, for some reason, it wasn't good to touch, feel or pet ourselves.  Or, maybe we just never did it.  Who knows why?

But, touch is very important.  Babies won't thrive without touch.  It's perfectly fine to touch and be touched, in appropriate ways.

And, our skin has receptors so we can feel heat, cold and pressure.  This is good.  Keeps us safe.

Muscles in your arms, and often in your neck, shoulder, chest and back, cause pain in your wrist and hand.  Sometimes your arm will also hurt.  You may think you have carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Place one hand on your other arm.  Feel that arm.

What does it feel like?  Move your hand from your wrist to your elbow.  Press gently, so you can feel below your skin.

Those are muscles, below the skin.

Do they feel bunchy?  Hard?  Painful?  If you press on an area, does it make your carpal tunnel pain worse?  Does it make it a little better?

If your muscles feel tender, stringy, bunchy or hard instead of soft and pliable, then your muscles are involved in your pain.

Today, I want you to be kind to yourself and to your carpal tunnels. 

Either make an appointment for a therapeutic massage so you can become familiar with your muscles, or have a do-it-yourself massage at home.

"Because You Deserve to Feel Better!"

Carpal Tunnel Pain? Here's How to Interview A Massage Therapist for Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief

If you have carpal tunnel pain, maybe you have already seen a massage therapist.  Perhaps it helped your carpal tunnel symptoms a lot and perhaps it didn't.

If your massage did not help much, you will learn a lot from this article about selecting a massage therapist who can make a difference with your carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you haven't tried massage yet for your hand, wrist and arm pain (or any other pains,) this article will help you select the best massage therapist in your area for your situation.

Can massage therapy help carpal tunnel pain?  Absolutely, yes!

If a massage professional has a good working knowledge of what causes pain in the carpal tunnel area, he or she can make a world of difference to you!

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often misdiagnosed by doctors.  Most of them didn't learn much about about muscles when they were in school (neither did we) and so when they see a patient who has complaints of discomfort in the wrist, hand and arm, the doctor will often think, "It must be carpal tunnel syndrome."

Maybe it is carpal tunnel syndrome, and maybe it's not. 

It's possible that you have muscle strain or trigger points elsewhere that are causing your pain.  More people have pain in the carpal tunnel area that starts with muscular causes than true carpal tunnel syndrome.

So, yes, therapeutic massage can definitely help eliminate or reduce your carpal tunnel symptoms.

Many massage therapists treat carpal tunnel sufferers incorrectly.  This is because they don't have the training or background to understand why you have pain.  They will rub on the painful area around your carpal tunnel, but you may not notice much (or any) relief.

The reason for that is they are working on the symptoms rather than the cause of your pain.

He or she is working where it hurts, rather than working on the areas that are actually causing your pain.  That's a common problem with massage therapists.  Some just rub where it hurts and hope it will help.  Sometimes the cause is actually where the pain is, other times not.

Here's how to interview a massage therapist.  Most will be happy to give you a free consultation.

First of all, don't ask, "Do you work with people who have carpal tunnel pain?" or, "Do you treat carpal tunnel syndrome?"  There are many massage therapists who will say yes, even though they don't have the training or experience to successfully treat carpal tunnel area pain.

Instead, ask him or her the following questions, and

Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome an Epidemic?

Is carpal tunnel syndrome really an epidemic?

Or, are we just a little misguided here?

Perhaps most of the pain we experience in our wrists, hands and arms is not truly carpal tunnel syndrome. 

You know you definitely have pain in your carpal tunnel area or in your hand, wrist and arm.  But, unless you're pregnant or diabetic, or have a carpal tunnel space which is truly too small for the nerves and blood vessels to pass through, your carpal tunnel pain is most likely caused by muscles.

When muscles are overused or used incorrectly, muscle imbalances can result.  These imbalances cause pain in arms, hands, wrists, necks and backs and elsewhere.

Maybe you remember typewriters.  Maybe you are only familiar with computers.

Before computer keyboards, there were electric typewriters. 

Before electric typewriters, there were big clunky manual typewriters.  The typists who used them had to insert each sheet of paper, one at a time.  They had to roll the paper into the proper position.  They had to roll the paper out when they were done.  (Sounds like fun, huh?)  They had to push the typerwriter roller (the part that help the paper) to the left to start each new row of type.

Those old manual typewriters were not ergonomically designed.  The rows of keys were widely separated.  The user had a lot of hand and arm movements going on. 

But, guess what they didn't have?

They didn't have carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive stress injuries.

Why not?

Because they

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - How to Walk for Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief

Would you like to know how walking helps carpal tunnel discomfort?

Well, there are lots of reasons why you can have pain in your carpal tunnel area.

We sometimes do things without even thinking about them.  These "things" can be the cause of carpal tunnel pain.  It could be the way we walk, sleep, or work.  It could be how or where we carry our purse.

When we start to eliminate the causes of our carpal tunnel pain, our pain will become less.

Here are some tips to help you move your arms correctly when you walk.  When you move your arms correctly, all of the muscles and soft tissues around your shoulders and upper body become stronger and more flexible.

The fluids will move through your arms more efficiently.  This can reduce swelling that causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

Moving your arms correctly will help improve your posture.  Good posture has many health benefits!

When our arms are moving properly, and our posture is good, we are much less likely to have pain in our carpal tunnel area.

• When you walk, walk with your thumbs pointing forward and up, as though you are going to shake hands with someone.  Walking with the backs of your hands facing forward shortens the muscles in the front of your body.  These shortened front muscles cause carpal tunnel pain.  If it is hard