Chronic Wrist Pain & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
In our modern device driven world, wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome have gone from rare to ubiquitous. Between typing, holding up our phones all day, carrying bags everywhere, etc. our high paced way of life takes a toll on our vulnerable wrists. Luckily, wrist pain and/or a carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis does not mean you'll wind up in surgery. With a few lifestyle adjustments, more breaks in your routine, and a series of advanced massage therapy sessions, wrist pain can be a thing of the past for anyone.
Elizabeth Dashiell interviews Senior Massage Therapist Evana Class on Wrist Pain & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Elizabeth: What kind of pain do you address in your clientele at Bodyworks DW that you're very successful at treating? Evana: I have been really successful at working with clients that have chronic wrist pain and/or a diagnosis for carpal tunnel syndrome. Elizabeth: How do you tend to address this kind of wrist pain?
Evana: I begin with a range of motion assessment. Is the client able of open and close the hand? Can they move each finger independently, flex and extend at the wrist? Doing this will tell me which muscles in the forearm and hand are “tight” or restricted. The massage will start at the palm of the hand and moves through towards the elbow on both sides of the arm.
What's different about how Bodyworks DW works on wrist pain? Elizabeth: Aside from local work, what do you work on when a client lets you know they have this issue? Does that nonlocal work seem to be effective? Evana: Yes, definitely! I will address the upper arm, shoulders and neck. In some instances there is usually an unresolved issue in the listed areas that feels better when work is done to alleviate it the original issue. Elizabeth: Generally, how many sessions would someone need to fully address the chronic wrist pain? Evana: Each client is different. It depends on how early or late they choose to address the issue. Sessions can rage from 3-5 or 6-8 sessions. Elizabeth: Why is this your favorite kind of thing to work through with a client? Evana: Along with teaching the client self-care tips; this work will help clients have much improved use of hands. Also not being in pain is a plus... Life is stressful enough, if I can help manage or take away some of a client's physical pain it will allow them to be able to focus on other areas of their life that may need attention.