Carpal Tunnel
Associated pain and numbness
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the entrapment of the median nerve inside the common tendon sheath through the wrist. Common signs and symptoms are pain, numbness, tingling, loss of strength and a progressive loss of muscle tone. The median nerve controls the movement of the thumb, first and middle fingers, so these are most affected. Pain is usually worse at night, and most of the clients I have seen have experienced pain that wakes them in the early morning. It is the most common of the nerve compression syndromes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3314870/
It is easy to have sympathy, I have had this condition twice. It’s no fun.
“I wish you were in Queensland right now, my wrist and hand are terrible”. Well, as a matter of fact…
Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually based off signs and symptoms but may include diagnostic imaging such as x-ray to rule out any other possible causes such as fracture. In some cases, an electromyogram or nerve conductivity test may be used to confirm the diagnosis. Increased risk factors include being female, pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and neurological conditions. Any work related task that involves the wrist being bent on either direction for prolonged periods is also a risk factor https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1243192-overview
In the case of my friend on the phone, it was drumming.
As with many other strain injuries, the common methods of treatment are rest, splinting, ice, corticosteroid injection with surgery used in severe cases.
I was visiting Brisbane, scouting in the event of moving interstate to study acupuncture. I don’t recall how we came to be in contact that day but he was up from Melbourne and had called in on a former band mate. On his break from rehearsing and playing, his left wrist had begun to cause some issues. The hand was painful, pins and needles would wake him early in the morning and taking a grip on objects was challenging. The drums were proving difficult. During our brief chat on the phone the signs and symptoms sounded familiar enough. With some scrawled treatment notes in my pocket I made my way round to say hello, catch up, and see if Tui Na could do anything to help.
There’s a good chance you know someone that has been through this condition. Even worse, you might have had it yourself. Early in my student clinic time, a Canadian carpenter introduced me to this condition. He could not pick up a large coin first thing in the morning. The pain was excruciating, often keeping him awake from 4am onwards. At work his hand felt better as the morning progressed, his grip became stronger, but it was a cycle that had been on repeat for a long time. His shoulder and elbow had become effected as well as the body compensated in an attempt to take load off the affected joint. Over the weeks the signs and symptoms improved even though he was unable to take a break from work.
My drummer friend had a quick and positive outcome. It’s not always the case but Tui Na can tackle some conditions that other massage styles are not able to. With a good understanding of anatomy and physiology as well as the benefits from the energetic side of Chinese Medicine, results can be swift even in the conditions that are notoriously stubborn to treat.
See other blogs for more information on RSI, Tennis Elbow and De Quervain’s Syndrome
