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Beginner Aches & Pains
I'm about two months into my first-time working as a massage therapist out of massage school. I am having pain in my right ulnar forearm, at the carpals, and have started seeing a chiropractor. She did the Phalen's test on me, and I have pain when I fold the backs of my hands together. She said that is a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.
This is discouraging and scary to me, and I'd love some guidance on how to change my body mechanics to save my wrist. I've talked to a number of people who said they wrecked their body starting out, also, and had to totally change how they gave massages. They stopped using their hands as much and started using their forearms and elbows more.
Does anyone have any suggestions on some good resources I can use to learn how to change my massage style to be predominantly elbow and forearm use? Good body mechanics resources?
Thanks a bunch, and any encouragement is also appreciated. This is a tough time for me right now, because it's causing me to wonder if I'll really be able to continue massaging.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jed Heneberry on
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Anne,
You can check out Barb Frye's Body Awareness column in Massage & Bodywork www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com. She has great tips in every issue.
Also, as for forearm work, I'd suggest Shari Auth's article in our May/June 2012 issue: http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72093/68.
Good luck!
Jed
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Permalink Reply by Anne Vander Naald on
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Thank you, Jed!
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Permalink Reply by Chris on
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Anne, I think the profession treats everyone differently. But I've been doing this for a long time and I attribute my longevity to proper body mechanics, self care, stretching, good diet, juicing, and more self care. I generally do anywhere from 16 to 20 deep tissue treatments per week and have had no major problems. I also recently been getting Bowen Work for a torn meniscus in my knee. Bowen is an astonishing form of bodywork. I really cannot tell you how it works, but it works. My pain level went from a 9 on a scale of 10 to about a 2 and it holds. I got 5 treatments. Now I am learning it. If this is something that interests you, google Bowtech and you can find a practitioner in your area. Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Maryshka on
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We used this DVD as part of our massage training. We were required to do these exercises in class. I still use the information today. I believe all carpal tunnel diagnoses are not carpal tunnel per se. Hope this helps you.
http://carpaltunnelinstitute.org/what-everyone-should-know-about-ca...
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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on
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You're right of course. Very few cases of real carpal tunnel. But even when properly diagnosed, carpal tunnel syndrome is a symptom NOT a cause. After all, the carpal tunnel is not a muscle that can become hypertonic; it is a band of connective tissue; it's purpose is to restrain 9 tendons and the median nerve from jumping all over the place. The flexor retinaculum which forms the roof of the carpal tunnel usually is wrongly blamed for CTS. Hypertonia of the scalenes, pec minor, coracobrachialis, triceps, forearm flexors or even forearm extensors compress nerves and exert a constant pull on the tendons...forcing them against the restraining retinaculum of the carpal tunnel. The inflammation usually occurs, not in the retinaculum itself, but in one or more of the tendons that seesaw back and forth against one another with every movement of the fingers-- normally not a problem, but a serious problem when the tendons are taut for long periods due to overuse. Think of guitar strings lying relaxed against the neck of the instrument; each occupying its own space. When the strings are picked/strummed, they will vibrate, creating sound; press the vibrating strings too closely together, the friction will be destructive of the integrity of the strings themselves and to the fingers holding them in place.
Treat carpal tunnel with trigger point therapy and massage, not with the surgical destruction of the protective carpal tunnel
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You provided a valuable reply/explanation and even I appreciate the analogy to guitar strings. Thanks!
Gary W Addis said:You're right of course. Very few cases of real carpal tunnel. But even when properly diagnosed, carpal tunnel syndrome is a symptom NOT a cause. After all, the carpal tunnel is not a muscle that can become hypertonic; it is a band of connective tissue; it's purpose is to restrain 9 tendons and the median nerve from jumping all over the place. The flexor retinaculum which forms the roof of the carpal tunnel usually is wrongly blamed for CTS. Hypertonia of the scalenes, pec minor, coracobrachialis, triceps, forearm flexors or even forearm extensors compress nerves and exert a constant pull on the tendons...forcing them against the restraining retinaculum of the carpal tunnel. The inflammation usually occurs, not in the retinaculum itself, but in one or more of the tendons that seesaw back and forth against one another with every movement of the fingers-- normally not a problem, but a serious problem when the tendons are taut for long periods due to overuse. Think of guitar strings lying relaxed against the neck of the instrument; each occupying its own space. When the strings are picked/strummed, they will vibrate, creating sound; press the vibrating strings too closely together, the friction will be destructive of the integrity of the strings themselves and to the fingers holding them in place.
Treat carpal tunnel with trigger point therapy and massage, not with the surgical destruction of the protective carpal tunnel
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I have felt your pain. An invaluable resource I learned of, from Massage & Bodywork of course, is the Auth Method:a guide for using the forearms in Therapeutic Massage. You have to check it out, authmethod.com
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Permalink Reply by Teresa Wiles-Vance on
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I agree that The Forearm Dance video and learning Bamboo Fusion are excellent videos. Those have been life savers for me. I just started doing Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and that is a fantastic way of doing deep work and really saves my hands & arms. I can do back to back sessions all day and not get tired when I'm doing ashi. Check out: http://www.deepfeet.com/
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Permalink Reply by willows_of_saturn on
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I'd recommend getting into gymnastics. I also have carpal tunnel syndrome (according to an EMG) and am midway through school for massage therapy. It's very possible that you have muscles further up, in the arms, neck, chest, and shoulders (both in back and front) that could be staying contracted, pressing on nerves or influencing the position of other muscles that in turn remain contracted, either creating pain that is being referred to those areas, or actually creating too much tension and pressure in the areas where the pain is actually felt.
It's important to have the right body mechanics while performing massage, but it's also very important to have your body as a whole developed properly and in balance. So not only is gymnastics great for making sure you're well-disposed for practicing massage in the first place, but it's also great for being able to counter-balance the movements and actions you perform during massage with others that work the body differently.
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Jennifer Haldas, I got the Auth Method dvd and it has already started saving me! Willows of Saturn, I actually am a formere gymnast, so I know exactly what you're saying. As a general update, my wrist pain is gone. All I had to do was receive on DT session on my right hand, forearm, shoulder girdle, and the next day the pain was gone and it hasn't returned. I think I was just riddled with trigger points that were referring to my wrist and needed released. Thanks for your help, everyone! I got so much valuable feedback, and very much appreciate all your insights and advice.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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Yea no need to run to the doctors for something massage excels at. Pain removal. You will be able to help your clients that come in with arm and wrist pain now. Most of the aches pains that people suffer from can be easily taken care of by an experienced massage therapist. The diagnosis of carpal tunnel is more often then naught, misdiagnosed. How was the chiropractors therapy compared to the massage therapists therapy? I'm guessing there was a Big difference in effectiveness.
Anne Vander Naald said:Jennifer Haldas, I got the Auth Method dvd and it has already started saving me! Willows of Saturn, I actually am a formere gymnast, so I know exactly what you're saying. As a general update, my wrist pain is gone. All I had to do was receive on DT session on my right hand, forearm, shoulder girdle, and the next day the pain was gone and it hasn't returned. I think I was just riddled with trigger points that were referring to my wrist and needed released. Thanks for your help, everyone! I got so much valuable feedback, and very much appreciate all your insights and advice.
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The miracle ball method is a wonderful form of self care. Helps alleviate some rib restrictions, elbow issues, not to mention C-spine muscle relaxation which helps to realign spine without high-velocity movements.
Just another idea...
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