Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Carpal tunnel is located at the beginning of your wrist and it contains 3 different muscles and one nerve called the Median Nerve, all of this area covers by retinaculum, which is a band around tendons that holds them in place. It is not part of any muscle. Its function is mostly to stabilize a tendon and to hold them in place.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a compression of the Median Nerve in the Carpal Tunnel resulting in numbness and or tingling in the median nerve distribution area. This compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel generally happens 2 ways:

1. The size of the tunnel decease so gets smaller.
2. The size of the contents passing through the tunnel increases.

Sometimes a combination of both scenario may present or occur. For example, a Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause bony changes in the carpal bones as well as lead to an increase in fluid due to swelling within the tunnel itself.
Causes:

• Repetitive wrist movement primary flexion and Extension leads to edema, fibrosis and thickening of the tendons .
• Thickening of the retinaculum.
• Systemic condition that result in edema, fluid retention, or connective tissue degeneration such as Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy.
• Bony changes that occur within Arthritis.
• Medical intervention is often includes NSAIDS, splinting the wrist in neutral position, corticosteroid and surgery.

But did you know that Massage Therapists are in high risk to have Carpal Tunnel, and due to this fact we are well educated how to take of our self to try to avoid this type of condition. By some hydrotherapy and regular stretching and proper strengthening of the muscle you can help to decrease the symptoms, prevent or manage the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel. But we are also well educated how to treat this type of condition.