RE: [repetitivestrain] I am new here, and have CTS.
Hi Tom,
The very last thing you should ever go for is surgery. We have met several people lately who have had serious problems from surgery including one young woman who had the nerve accidently cut during surgery, so she lost all sensation to her thumb and two fingers, and then scar tissue formed around the other two nerves and she now has no sensation in her wrist or entire hand!
Consider this, the nerve that gives sensation to the thumb and two fingers, the median nerve, originates in the neck. It crosses under some very powerful muscles in the neck and chest (this is the muscle that is causing you to have the CTS sensation when you cough), then the biceps muscle, and all the muscles of the forearm. The muscles on the underside of your forearm, called the flexors, have 9 tendons. These tendons and the median nerve all pass through the carpal tunnel. When the muscles are tight they pull the tendons taut, and trap the nerve in the tunnel.
To complicate the issue, the muscle of your thumb originates on the ligament that is the bridge to the carpal tunnel. When this muscle is in spasm (it is for most people because it can't be stretched) it pulls down on the ligament and causes pressure on the median nerve.
Finally, the muscles of the top of your forearm, called the extensors, insert at the wrist and top of your fingers. When they are tight they pull on the base of the carpal tunnel and cause it to change dimensions, again trapping the nerve within the tunnel.
In ALL of these cases, you don't need surgery, you simply need to release the tight muscles that are pressing down on the nerve!
Try this stretch: put your flat hands together, as if you were praying. keep you shoulders relaxed and then bring your arms so they are horizontal to the desk. That is a stretch for the flexors. To stretch the extensors, I suggest you look in a mirror because it is natural for your shoulders to raise. Place the backs of your hands together, making sure your shoulders are relaxed. Next, bring your wrists up and drop your elbows (your elbows should be lower than your wrists). This is the stretch that most people can't do well, and it is one of the keys to resolving this problem.
I suggest you take a look at www.aboutcts.com and, after reading the Home Page, go to the Anatomy Lessons section. It will explain all that I've been telling you, but it will use graphics that really help to explain the situation.
The most important thing is to not get discouraged. I had CTS that was so severe I couldn't pick up a glass or open a door. Now it is totally gone. You can get rid of it also - it's Repetitive Strain Injury, which means, a muscle is being strained - not a nerve! You can release muscles.
Wishing you well,
Julie
Release "aches & pains" in your muscles and joints. You are your own best therapist! Visit www.julstro.com and find common sense answers.
-----Original Message----- From: ctsguy2003 [mailto:ctsguy2003@...] Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 12:01 PM To: repetitivestrain@yahoogroups.com Subject: [repetitivestrain] I am new here, and have CTS.
I am wondering what type of operations are available, and what their success rates are.
I have spoken and met with several people so far who are NOT happy with the results from operations performed years ago.
I was hoping things have improved.
I get pain and numbness in my right side fingers and hand, and pain in my right arm and shoulder, even after typing for 1-2 hours. This is even while using a metal brace on my wrist.
I even get a strange symptom, whereby when I burp, it causes pain in my right arm that is identical to the CTS pain. (Weird)
I am wondering what type of operations are available, and what their success rates are. I have spoken and met with several people so far who are NOT happy with...
Hi Tom, The very last thing you should ever go for is surgery. We have met several people lately who have had serious problems from surgery including one...
Hi Julie- Thanks for the advice! It backs up my fears about surgery, and gives me hope on an alternative method. I will follow up on what you have said. Give...
Hi Tom, I understand what you mean, it takes a bit to understand it all. But, the good news is, you will be able to get rid of this problem. I look forward ...
Hi, I have been getting massage therapy for my CTS for three weeks now. I had to miss this week because my father died... :-( How long does massage therapy...
Jenny, So sorry to hear of your father's passing. My husband massages my neck, shoulders, arms and hands for me about every three days, and it works wonders. I...
Thanks Janet and Dee. It sounds like I am on the right track with the massage therapy... ... __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? ...
Hi Dee, Isn't it wonderful how quickly massage helps to heal pain. It's unfortunate that it's such a big secret! Please spread the word, people don't need to...
... Jenny Massage helped me greatly. I got acupuncture first and then the massage, and both helped greatly. I've also modified my workout routine by lowering...
Hi Jenny, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad, words are so empty, but I've lost my Dad also, so my heart understands your emptiness. I am a massage therapist,...
... Thanks Julie... It's been tough... my hands hurt so much from going through his things, but it was worse emotionally. ... I have checked your web site...
Hi Jenny, As you know, only time will ease the emotional hurting, and unfortunately, nobody can really help you there. When my dad died an Aunt of mine gave...
Hi JUlie, I did this and it hurt! Now what do I do? Thanks, Jenny __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - File...
Hi Jenny, The good news is, if it hurt to press on a muscle, you don't have carpal tunnel syndrome, you just have repetitive strain injury of a muscle fiber. ...
Julie, I do have carpal tunnel in both hands too, but that one thumb area was questionable. I will find out how to treat that separately. The massage therapy...
Hi Jenny, I'm glad the massage therapy is helping, I suggest you work deeply on the muscles of your forearm, not just at the thumb. There is a muscle in the ...
I forgot to mention, tendonitis is just a term that means an inflammation of the tendon where it meets the bone. You probably have tendonitis of the thumb...
What kind of work are you doing with erights? Jenny ... __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - File online,...
Its unbelievable...what a difference! I had been wearing the splints all day and night, only taking them off when I used the bathroom and showered. I have been...
Hi Dee, Massage is great for all sorts of pains: neck, hip, back, knees, etc., etc. It's really wonderful also to learn how to do the treatments to yourself, ...
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