Pain Relief:  How massage therapy can help reduce the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand — the median nerve — is compressed as it travels through your wrist.

Massage can be an effective and non-invasive way to manage and alleviate some of the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by using specific techniques to manually relieve pressure off of your median nerve. Here are some ways massage can help relieve your symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:

Releasing the Surrounding Fascia

The carpal tunnel is created by a sheet of fascia called the flexor retinaculum. This sheet of fascia attaches to your wrist while muscles, nerves, and blood supply run through it. Your massage therapist might use a myofascial release technique on the retinaculum and the surrounding tissues to help loosen your fascia, decreasing the pressure placed on your median nerve.

Reducing  Muscle Tension

The tightness of the muscles surrounding your median nerve in the carpal tunnel can contribute to the symptoms of CTS. These muscles are your forearm flexor muscles. Your massage therapist will strip through your forearm flexor muscles to decrease their tension by using lengthening and relaxation techniques. This will alleviate some of the pressure on your median nerve.

Breaking Up Adhesions

Scar tissue and adhesions might be formed and pressing on your median nerve which may be one of the causes of your symptoms. The pressure on your median nerve can be reduced by using massage techniques to help break up these adhesions and free up the soft tissue in your wrist and hand so your median nerve can glide smoother without any restrictions.

If you think you have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, book your massage therapy appointment at Zoomers to get started on your recovery journey. Our massage therapist will help alleviate your symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and help you work to regain healthy tissues and full function of your wrist.