Carpal Tunnel Symposium
We invite you to take part in an exciting process that addresses cause and effect and will move you closer to wellness. Remember, health is much more than the mere absence of symptoms. Health is a choice!
Schedule
- October 25, 2008
Location
- Optimal Health Group
- 99 Frenchtown Road
- East Greenwich, RI 02818
- Click here for directions
Cost
- FREE
What is Carpal Tunnel?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of your hand. It contains the median nerve and 9 tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the nerve to be compressed. Symptoms usually start gradually. As they worsen, grasping objects can become difficult. Carpal Tunnel is misdiagnosed 7-8 times out of 10. Most often, poor posture, weakness and repetitive strain cause a compression of the brachial plexus located in our chest and neck, the largest bundle of nerves, arteries and veins in your body. The actual term for the referred symptoms into our forearm, wrist and hand is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, the more common and easily treatable condition. The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel (and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) begin with general numbness and tingling sensations in the had and fingers, sometimes to specific fingers, depending on which nerve is entrapped. The usually worsen gradually, often leading to atrophy/weakness and difficulty picking up even light objects.
How did I get Carpal Tunnel?
The most common causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are:
- overuse of the arm and hand
- poor posture over time
- repetitive strain use as in typing, knitting, working with small instruments, and any activity that stresses and contracts the muscles in the forearm and hand.
How can I fix it?
Soft tissue work, including but not limited to: neuromuscular therapy, deep tissue massage, active isolated stretching, myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization. And strengthening exercises are the best and most effective treatments for Carpal Tunnel.
Surgery and medications should always be a last resort. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most preventable conditions afflicting our culture today. Surgery has often been shown to not only be ineffective at least 60% of the time but has also been demonstrated to worsen the symptoms with the additional scar tissue created.
Please call us for more information before choosing surgery for this condition.