I really like the massage therapist who made this video. Why? Because she believes the same things that I do about the causes of carpal tunnel symptoms.
That's why I think she is brilliant! :-)
So what IS the most common cause of Carpal Tunnel Symptoms?
Your muscles!
Hilma will explain muscle imbalance in this video.
This therapist knows that most hand and arm pain can be treated naturally. And she tells it like it is!
The interesting thing is that we both have such similar ideas and treatment strategies even though
we never met
we live many hundreds of miles from each other and
we took completely different training!
But we both came to the same logical conclusions because they are true.
In fact, we each created a product to help people understand why they have carpal tunnel symptoms and how to get rid of them naturally. But if I had known of Hilma's first I wouldn't even have bothered.
Did you know that you can "trick" your injured hand into getting better? Here's a video from a real live magician, Patrick Albanese, and he's going to show you this neat rehabilitation trick.
I like this video about making a power exerciser for your fingers. When you exercise your fingers, you help balance the muscles of your hand and your lower arm. And there's a really good chance that they need it!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome includes symptoms like numbness, burning, tingling or sometimes itching in your fingers and hand. These symptoms are mostly felt in your thumb, first and second (index and middle) fingers. Those are the fingers that your median nerve serves.
Some doctors immediately jump to the conclusion that any pain in the area of your hand and wrist is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. But other doctors do a more thorough examination and also do some physical tests.
Regardless of the final diagnosis or the results of the tests, my question is always:
Why? Why are you having symptoms? What is causing them?
You see, there are reasons for your symptoms and the reason is not simply because you require surgery. Something is causing your discomfort.
Physical Tests for Carpal Tunnel
Let's get back to the tests your doctor may conduct. Some doctors are trained to look at your neck muscles and spine to determine whether your symptoms may
When you have carpal tunnel pain or pain in your hands and arm, it's a good bet that your upper body muscles are involved. Why?
Because the muscles in your chest, upper arms, neck and back can all cause hand pain.
I found some movements that you can do in the privacy of your home with no special equipment. The goal of these movements is to warm the muscles of your shoulders and upper body.
When you were little, you used all of your muscles all of the time. You didn't need a "break to move" or a "stretch break." But now you do and these movements seem to be beneficial to warm and help relax your upper body and shoulders and neck.
As always, pay attention as you do these movements. Listen to your body wisdom. Go slowly and thoughtfully. And when you are done, see how your body feels.
A little more circulation? A bit warmer? All good. Here's the video:
Musicians can get a lot of pain in their hands and arms because they hold their muscles in the same position for long periods of time.
This video by GuitarLessons365.com does a great job of showing movements for musicians (and other living folks) to counteract all of that "closed hand" muscle activity.
When you use ALL of your muscles, you are not likely to get pain of any type! That's the trick to staying pain-free. When you were a little child, you used all of your muscles. You ran and jumped, climbed and slid, crawled and tumbled. You were never still!
But now?
That's why this video is valuable. It shows many ways to move and stretch your hands to avoid and help correct muscle strain and pain from playing musical instruments.
Pay attention to his hands even as the man in the video begins talking. He doesn't hold his hands "palm down." That's the position musicians use the most (and the rest of us, too.) By holding your hands palm up, you are using different muscles right off the bat!
Are you wondering whether it is possible to stretch TOO much? Yes, it is. I have done it myself. So always pay attention to your body. If you begin to have new pain in your hand joints, back off on the stretch a bit (don't stretch so far) or stretch less often.
This is a very good video about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and natural healing.
The chiropractor who does the presentation indicates that bones move and can press on the nerves in the carpal tunnel. He also indicates that a doctor who does manipulation can help.
The thing to remember is that muscles move bones.
If you do not have tight, out-of-balance muscles pulling on your bones, the bones will NOT move out of place (unless you have an accident which causes them to shift.)
That means if you release the tight muscles (allow them to relax) with massage or other self-help, your carpal tunnel pain can go away. There is a very good self-help video program that will teach you how to do your own muscle releases (<-- click here) for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other hand, wrist and arm pain.
This Carpal Tunnel Syndrome video comes from WholisticHealthDoc on YouTube.
This video by Ohio chiropractor Dr. Jack Adrian does a good job of explaining why the cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not usually only in the wrist.
As I have explained here many times, the cause of your symptoms can also be in your lower arm, your neck, or your chest or back muscles. You may have one or more things causing symptoms. It could even be a vitamin deficiency.
There are many schools of chiropractic and as in any other field, many doctors treat their patients depending on their own advanced training, personality and unique way of seeing and treating bodies.
Some doctors of chiropractic adjust fingers, wrists and other joints but
Stretching your chest muscles is a very good way to begin relieving your carpal tunnel symptoms. When you stretch and relax your chest and allow your shoulders to drop back, you will experience a lot of other health benefits, too. "Opening" your chest muscles takes can take pressure of the parts of your body that cause your carpal tunnel symptoms.
Watch the whole video before you begin this movement. You will discover how to come out of this position at the end.
You can use a rolled up towel as a "roll" and folded towels or small pillows for your head support.
You may have to start with a smaller roll than the instructor uses. That's easy to do with a towel: Simply don't roll the whole towel.
If you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome--or pain in your hand and wrist--hand massage can help get the circulation moving. This little video demonstrates how to massage your palm. It helps relax the tight muscles in your hand and makes a little more space in your carpal tunnel. This may help you feel better.
(Your carpal tunnel is an opening in your wrist that nerves and blood vessels pass through. When there is swelling in your carpal tunnel, you can get symptoms of numbness, tingling and pain in your hand.)
You may find that you can massage one of your own hands with your other hand depending on your symptoms. Adjust the pressure to your comfort level. If bending your hand backward increases your symptoms, keep your wrist straight as you massage or are being massaged.
Your wrists are not the cause of your symptoms (unless you had a compression or bone-breaking injury.) Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by the muscles of your lower or upper arm, your chest muscles, your back, your neck muscles, trigger points, or vitamin deficiencies. You can find more information on all of these here at Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Now.
Even so, this type of hand massage can help you feel better while you figure out the causes and get rid of them.
Yoga is very beneficial for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome although there are some movements that could cause your wrists to be aggravated.
The yoga stretch in this little video is good. Why? Because it shows you how to stretch and open the muscles in your chest and the front of your arms. This takes a lot of pressure off the nerves and blood vessels that cause your carpal tunnel symptoms.
At the same time, this movement can also help you strengthen the muscles in your back. Having a strong back is very beneficial.
NOTICE: The model's head is held OVER her body. She is not allowing it to move forward. This is good. You want to do the same--hold your head over your body--so be aware and make corrections.
If this movement seems too much for you at first, don't give up. Just practice taking your arms as far as it feels like a reasonably comfortable stretch. In time, your muscles will become able to do this with more comfort.
I created this video to help you loosen and relax your shoulders. When you move your arms in this way, you are using ALL of the muscles in your arms and upper back that are attached to your shoulders. These are the same muscles that can cause Carpal Tunnel symptoms.
If it feels like too much to do the full movements at first, take it gradually and start slowly. Over time, your muscles will begin to stretch and remember how they used to move and how they were designed to move.
Just do the movements as best you can. You have a smart body and it wants to be well. It just needs a little help from you.
I like the moves in this video for carpal tunnel pain relief and prevention. Why? Because they use the whole arm.
Your arm may not be the reason for your carpal tunnel symptoms. Sometimes the cause is in your neck, chest or back. Sometimes the cause is a vitamin deficiency or other physical health problem.
Nonetheless, I like these carpal tunnel area stretches and I think you will, too. As always, pay attention to your body while you do them and move thoughtfully.
How often should you stretch? Once a day isn't enough. The more often you can fit in little bits of stretches, the happier your arm and hand will be.
Just one warning: Some people think that if a little bit helps, then they should do a whole lot. It is possible to stretch too much and aggravate things. I've done that myself. If that happens to you, cut back or even stop temporarily. Or, just don't do 1,000 stretches a day. :-)
(The man in the video is David Kuckhermann, a musician. The email he gives in the video is David [at] Framedrums [dot] net.)
Now, on with the stretching video for carpal tunnel pain relief and prevention.
This carpal tunnel pain relief video really gets to the point!
Bodies are just so amazing! They want to be well. Sometimes they need a little help from you to get better. Sometimes they need a little help from a professional massage therapist who understands bodies.
There are muscles in your neck which cause carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. (Syndromes are collections of symptoms.) These muscles are called the scalene muscles, or scalenes. There is a set of 3 or 4 on each side of your neck.
The professional in this video demonstrates a massage technique which addresses the scalenes. It also shows more massage for carpal tunnel or thoracic outlet syndromes or symptoms.
It's a short video, but very useful. If you go to a professional massage therapist, ask whether he or she knows how to treat the scalenes. They are very often the cause of carpal tunnel symptoms. After you see this video, you will have an idea of how your scalenes may be released.
The professional who is demonstrating has a little accent, but if you listen with "soft ears" you will get a lot of it. The words he says at the beginning that you need to know are "scalenes" and "sternocleidomastoid." The sternocleidomastoid is also called the SCM muscle.
You have 2 pairs of SCM's, one pair on each side of your neck. These muscles run from the "notch" in the middle of your collar bone to the skull bone just behind your ear.
Your scalene muscles are kind of hidden by, or tucked behind, the SCM muscles and collar bone. The SCM needs to be moved out of the way in order to access the scalenes.
Other words you may hear are "brachialplexus" (a group of nerves in the collar bone area) and "thoracic outlet syndrome."
You will notice that the model looks very comfortable. Well, the truth is that when muscles are tight, and when there are trigger points in muscles, there may be some discomfort as they are being released. This is normal.
If you have any concerns or extreme discomfort, be sure to talk to your massage therapist. It is, after all, your body!
Note: This video is from YouTube and if an ad pops up, you can "x" it out if you want.
And, now, On With The Show!
IMPORTANT! If you want more information on the company that makes the video, Google that website and see what your security preferences say about it.
Carpal tunnel pain is caused by "something." Pain doesn't happen unless there is a reason.
My belief is that if you get rid of the reason--the "something"--then your pain will go away. The reason I believe this is because it's true!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a "syndrome," a collection of symptoms (pain, numbness, etc.) Something caused your symptoms.
Surgery often seeks to get rid of symptoms, but not the cause or causes. That's how a lot of medicine works--by treating symptoms rather than causes.
I'd rather help you get rid of the "something" that causes your symptoms. That might be muscles in your neck, back, shoulders, upper arms, lower arms, or hands. There's a lot of information here to help you get rid of the various causes of your carpal tunnel or hand and wrist issues.
Still, I know that some people will decide to have surgery.
Here is a list of questions to ask a surgeon before you make your decision.
And, here is a video on a newer "needle carpal tunnel surgery." It appears to be less invasive, but still treats the symptom rather than the cause. I don't know how widely it is available nor do I know how long the effects last. And, of course, there is always some risk with any surgery.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or symptoms have several causes in your body. Muscles "trap" nerves and cause symptoms.
This five-minute video will help you understand all of the places where the median nerve can be trapped.
Remember, what's going on in your hand/wrist area is a syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a collection of symptoms. Symptoms havecauses. Getting rid of the causes of your carpal tunnel symptoms will give you relief, naturally.
The purpose of this website is to help you get rid of your carpal tunnel symptoms naturally, without surgery.
But, "a picture is worth a thousand words," so let's get on with the show!
Do You Need Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief? Here's a helpful little video that will show you some simple movements for carpal tunnel symptom relief. You may know that I'm a big fan of massage (both professional and do-it-yourself) but stretching is good for you, too.
"G'Day Kathy,
Thank you very much for ALL your helpful info. My symptoms have improved 10000000% with back exercises and your input.
I have found a very intelligent lady (here) who understands the importance of muscle and massage and exercise to stimulate the brain. Have sufferd for decades and was getting worse. I owe much to YOU and her.
Cheers,
- Garry Allen, Australia -
PS I used to play drums in my own band. Guess what I am again doing - after 30 years. Thank you again Kathy.
"Thank you SOOOOO much! I felt better after just one night of following your advice, and after the second night almost normal!" - Lori S., Weston OH
"Hi Kathryn, I recently developed carpal tunnel in my right hand (9 months since I started noticing signif. tingling; now it is painful). The doctors have offered little more than suggesting braces and anti-inflammatory and what I find on the internet is all over the place and often extremely depressing. Your "page" is so encouraging. I have been searching for some ways to manage and reduce the causes, and so I'll be following the advice here. Mostly, I am relieved to have a source of information now that is helpful and positive. So thank you!" - Caroline Brown, by email
"My carpal tunnel is almost all gone. The best help I 'think', was my posture, next was self massage and stretching. I rarely wear my brace anymore. Learning that all these muscles work together has made me realize that the supposedely Carpal Tunnel was just a symtom of something else going on." - Beverly C., by email
"Thank you so much for your information, it is something I have never heard before. I am thrilled to try out these techniques and do think that the scalene issue might be the key for I constantly have pain between my shoulder blades, have big knots along the spine exactly where you say and do hold my head forward. You may have hit the nail on the head."--Riannen Schlosser, Lodi CA (concerned about carpal tunnel pain)
"Thank you for the link - I did do the muscle assessment and it is definitely helping. I will continue to do what's in this report and hopefully will avoid surgery. I'm very happy with the results so far."--Rose Curran, Austin TX
"I don't remember a lot of the stuff in the wrist pain 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!"--Kay Heil, New Boston MI
"My wife, Dave and I are all sitting up straighter and doing some of your exercises. It is always a pleasure to work with someone that really knows about what they are doing, makes my job easier. Thanks."--PJ Caporuscio, ABC Radio & TV Productions
"Thank you again, that is also very helpful. Little by little, I am conquering the knot! : ) "--Katey Cooper, ProVision Creative Web & Print Design
"Really like your content, for purely selfish reasons. I've lived with chronic shoulder pain from migraines. Tried lots of things and your simple suggestions had an excellent response in my body. I look forward to reading and learning more!"--Patrice Dunckley
