carpal tunnel pain

Is It Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

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Or Is It Something Else?

Treatment For Wrist Pain Masquerading As Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Author: Julie Donnelly, LMT – The Pain Relief Expert

Editor: Dr. Steve Chaney

HotIt’s been hot this summer. High temperature records were broken not just in the USA, but all over the world!  The funny thing is it was sometimes hotter up north than down here in Florida.

A snowbird client came in several weeks ago and told me they came back to Florida because they don’t have central air in their house up north (never needed it before).  That’s pretty incredible.

For those of us who are old enough to remember the days before air conditioning, we are even more grateful for air conditioning.

I remember being pregnant with my son in 1967, when we were living in San Antonio, Texas.  Most people didn’t have air conditioning yet, and we certainly didn’t.

I came to realize why Southerners talk so slow (remember, I’m a New Yorker).  It was so hot we just didn’t talk at all. It took too much effort!

Fortunately, this time of year seems to pass quickly, and we’ll be getting back into cooler weather before we know it.  At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

Update On Giving To The Lakota Sioux Tribe

(https://www.onespiritlakota.org)

Thank you to so many people who generously gave clothes, shoes, and coats.  Plus, two people gave a donation of money to pay for shipping, and one woman bought shoes during a Walmart Online sale, then she had them shipped directly to the tribe.  I’m getting ready to send a box with coats and sweaters, and I’ve been told more will be coming to the office or being sent directly.  If you would like to send it directly you can get a $30 shipping label for a box up to 70 pounds by going to https://givebackbox.shop/products/one-spirit-shipping-label.

Fusion Massage 

I mentioned to you that I’ve added Fusion Massage to my list of therapies.  Fusion Massage is a blending of relaxing oil massage with the focused osteopathic techniques that I normally do every day.  It works extremely well.  I’ve been doing focused osteopathic therapy for over 30 years, so there is no way that I could glide over a knot in your muscles, knowing that this knot is causing you pain, and not stop to take care of it.  And that’s how Fusion Massage works…I stop gliding when I find a knot, put a piece of cloth on it, and work it out.  Then it’s back to relaxing, gliding strokes again.  Try it, you may like it.

This Month’s Focus Is On Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) 

For some reason conditions seem to run in waves.  Lately I’ve had several people come in with pain and numbness in their arms, wrists and hands.  Some have even been diagnosed as having carpal tunnel syndrome, others are told they have something different going on.  One person was told she had thoracic outlet syndrome, which is closer to the truth.

Rarely did any of them actually have carpal tunnel syndrome.  CTS is when the median nerve is impinged within the carpal tunnel of the wrist.

This graphic of the carpal tunnel shows how the median nerve and the tendons of the underside of your forearm (the flexor muscle tendons) all pass through the tiny carpal tunnel.

I hope it will help you visualize the problem as you watch the video (below) that explains why muscles from your neck to your thumb can cause burning and tingling in your wrist, hand, and fingers.

A Bonus…A Treatment For Trigger Finger 

Trigger finger is when one of your fingers gets stuck in the bent position, or when a finger won’t bend at all.  Surgery is often recommended, and while it is sometimes necessary, it’s wise to check the tight forearm muscles before doing a medical procedure that can’t be reversed.  The forearm muscles merge into tendons that move your fingers.  If a muscle fiber gets tight, it is pulling on the tendon and therefore putting pressure on the finger.  Release the tight muscles and your finger will move just fine.

Is It Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Or Something Else? 

This video explains how muscles from the neck to the hand can cause symptoms that feel like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hand and Wrist Pain Caused By Muscle Pain and Joint Stiffness

Treatment For Wrist Pain Masquerading As Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

If you have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, you can come into the office and I’ll treat each muscle for you, or you can learn to treat it yourself.

In 1997 I had a severe case of CTS, which was so bad it shut down my entire therapy practice.  It took some time and a LOT of searching, but I was able to eventually figure out how to self-treat it for 100% relief WITHOUT surgery.  I’ve been sharing that knowledge ever since, and I’m happy to say it has helped hundreds of people avoid surgery and get total relief.

It’s simple to do, although it takes some time and concentration to learn each technique.  The most challenging part was getting people to be able to apply the right pressure without hurting their opposite hand.

 

I had a client who was a sculptor, and he solved the problem.  He designed a specialized tool, which we called the TotalTX Tool (TX is the abbreviation for “treatment” in the medical world).  We tested it and found that not only does it work to treat the tight muscles that cause CTS, but it can release tension from your neck to your feet!

 

 

For the first few years a person had to come to me to learn how to do it themselves, but ultimately, I figured out how to teach the treatments on a video.  That video became a DVD, and the DVD has grown into an MP4.  Now you can order it on my shopping cart, I’ll mail you the TotalTX Tool, and you’ll get the rest of the pieces as an MP4, so you have them immediately.

Check it out for yourself.  You CAN be your own Best Therapist and Stop Pain FAST!

https://julstromethod.com/product/julstro-system-for-hand-wrist-pain-and-numbness-dv

Give A Man Or Woman A Fish Or Teach Him/Her HOW To Fish

If you have been to my office for therapy, you know that I always teach you how to do something to help yourself at home.  It’s something people really appreciate and tell others about because it’s not the norm in the therapeutic world. Teaching people self-treatment is something I’m very proud of because I am teaching my clients “how to fish.”

Have a wonderful month!

Wishing you well,

Julie Donnelly

www.FlexibleAthlete.com

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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My posts and “Health Tips From the Professor” articles carefully avoid claims about any brand of supplement or manufacturer of supplements. However, I am often asked by representatives of supplement companies if they can share them with their customers.

My answer is, “Yes, as long as you share only the article without any additions or alterations. In particular, you should avoid adding any mention of your company or your company’s products. If you were to do that, you could be making what the FTC and FDA consider a “misleading health claim” that could result in legal action against you and the company you represent.

For more detail about FTC regulations for health claims, see this link.

https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/health-products-compliance-guidance

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About The Author

Julie DonnellyJulie Donnelly has been a licensed massage therapist since 1989, specializing in the treatment of chronic pain and sports injuries. The author of several books including Treat Yourself to Pain-Free Living, The Pain-Free Athlete, and The 15 Minute Back Pain Solution.

Julie has also developed a proven self-treatment program for the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

She has a therapy practice in Sarasota, Florida, and she travels around the USA to teach massage and physical therapists how to do the Julstro Method, and she also teaches self-treatment clinics to anyone interested in taking charge of their own health and flexibility.

She may be reached at her office: 919-886-1861, or through her website: www.FlexibleAthlete.com

About The Editor

Dr. Chaney has a BS in Chemistry from Duke University and a PhD in Biochemistry from UCLA. He is Professor Emeritus from the University of North Carolina where he taught biochemistry and nutrition to medical and dental students for 40 years.

Dr. Chaney won numerous teaching awards at UNC, including the Academy of Educators “Excellence in Teaching Lifetime Achievement Award”. Dr Chaney also ran an active cancer research program at UNC and published over 100 scientific articles and reviews in peer-reviewed scientific journals. In addition, he authored two chapters on nutrition in one of the leading biochemistry text books for medical students.

Since retiring from the University of North Carolina, he has been writing a weekly health blog called “Health Tips From the Professor”. He has also written two best-selling books, “Slaying the Food Myths” and “Slaying the Supplement Myths”. And most recently he has created an online lifestyle change course, “Create Your Personal Health Zone”. For more information visit https://chaneyhealth.com.

For the past 45 years Dr. Chaney and his wife Suzanne have been helping people improve their health holistically through a combination of good diet, exercise, weight control and appropriate supplementation.

Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Without Surgery

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How To Release Tight Muscles That Cause Carpal Tunnel

Author: Julie Donnelly, LMT – The Pain Relief Expert

Editor: Dr. Steve Chaney

Fall, Glorious Fall

I love Florida, but I must say I really miss the changing of the leaves like I enjoyed when I lived in New York.  October was magical!  The trees painting a picture of red, gold, maroon, yellow, and green, and the smells that are so familiar to anyone who has ever lived in the north.

Fires burning to heat chilly homes, apple cider, baking pies and cookies because we could get back into the kitchen as the weather cooled down.  And of course, Halloween.

The world has changed so much.  Remember how we could go out in costume with our friends, no adults needed, and go from door to door, shouting “Trick or Treat!”  We’d come home with a pillowcase (or plastic pumpkin) filled with candy.  Such sweet memories.

In Florida we are entering our most wonderful time of year. It’s starting to get cooler, the humidity is going down, and hurricane season is almost over. Hooray!  It’s great to be outdoors again!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – It’s Not Just In Your Wrist

In 1997 I learned a serious consequence of having carpal tunnel syndrome – I had to shut down my therapy practice. I went to doctors, physical therapy, and massage, yet nothing worked. The pain just kept getting worse.

I couldn’t pick up a pen or open a door.  I couldn’t work. What would you do if suddenly you couldn’t use your hand because the pain was so great?

Happily, I was able to figure out which muscles were actually causing the problem, and after releasing the tension I was quickly out of pain.

It’s complicated, but incredibly logical.

The Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

carpal tunnel syndromeFor me, it eventually felt like someone was cutting my wrist with a razor blade, and I couldn’t even pick up a pencil or hold a glass.

If you’re like me, your symptoms came on slowly.  I had a twinge, like an electric shock in my wrist or fingers.  Nothing serious and I’d just shake it off.  Perhaps you’ve done the same thing.

Gradually it happened more frequently, and the intensity increased.  I was heading into a problem that almost ended my career.

While I was told I had CTS and I needed to have surgery, I knew that scar tissue would grow over the median nerve, and I could end up in worse condition than where I was already.

I was forced by necessity to find a solution. I concentrated on the path of the median because it is this nerve that is key to carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Median Nerve Pathway

It all starts with pressure on the median nerve.

 

The median nerve starts in your neck, innervating your arm and hand. When it is pressed upon it will cause burning and numbness somewhere along its path, especially into your wrist, thumb and first two fingers.

The Opponens Pollicis Muscle

The nerve passes under and through several arm muscles, through the carpal tunnel in your wrist, and finally a muscle of your thumb called the opponens pollicis muscle impinges on the nerve.

The tight muscles entrap the median nerve, but they also put a strain on your wrist and hand.  The analogy I use is pulling your hair and your scalp hurts. In the same way, the muscle pulls on the insertion points on your wrist and hand, and you feel pain.

I’m not trying to make anyone a muscular therapist, so I’m not mentioning the Latin names.  If you have the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, and if you’re interested and would like more information, please contact me.

My experience showed me that I had to treat each muscle from my neck to my hand several times every day. My clients were the catalyst for my sharing the self-treatment process that has reversed the symptoms of CTS for hundreds of people over the years.

One Treatment That Helps

There are six muscle groups that need to be treated for the release of the median nerve.

As I worked on myself, I discovered how they all needed to be fully released or the relief was temporary.  Then again, at that point I welcomed any relief, regardless of how short-lived.

The following treatment is for the muscle of your thumb, called “opponens pollicis.” This muscle pulls your thumb into the center of your palm.

An important factor is the muscle originates on the ligament that goes across the top of the carpal tunnel. When it gets tight it is pulling hard on the ligament and it presses down onto the median nerve.  This causes your thumb and first two fingers to go numb.

Bend your middle finger of the working hand.

Press the knuckle into the thick muscle at the base of your thumb.

Close the fingers of the hand you are treating so you can direct your thumb. This is an important step, or your knuckle will keep flipping over the muscle.

Move deeply in a direction that goes from your thumb to the middle of your wrist.

If you find as especially painful point, stay on it for 15-30 seconds.

 

How To Release Tight Muscles That Cause Carpal Tunnel

As I mentioned above there are six muscle groups that need to be treated to release the tension on the median nerve.

I realized that the only people who were benefiting from the treatment I developed were people who lived no more than 25 miles away from my office.

As a result, I hired a videographer and asked Zev Cohen, MD to join with me to explain the entire process.  It’s easy to do as you watch the DVD (also available as an MP4) and use the specialized tool I developed since many people can’t do it the way I did it for myself.

There’s also a workbook with still pictures of all the    treatments, and a chart that shows exactly where to press.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can seriously alter your day-to-day living!  Yet it can be reversed in as little time as one-hour!

Please share this information with anyone you know who is suffering from hand/wrist pain and numbness.

For more information go to: https://julstromethod.com/cts/

Coming In November

Foot pain can stop you in your tracks, regardless of whether you are a runner, or you just like to stroll along a garden path.

The discussion in November will be about foot pain that is diagnosed as plantar fasciitis.

Wishing you well,

Julie Donnelly

www.FlexibleAthlete.com

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Health Tips From The Professor