[UofMfan]

I am not a Doctor, so my post is solely based on personal experience. Please seek professional advice.

I was diagnosed with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome on both wrists a little over 20 years ago. At that time I had lost the feeling on one of my arms completely.

I went to a specialist who, after some very uncomfortable tests, prescribed muscle relaxants and a brace for each wrist. I was also informed that surgery was an option, but besides leaving an ugly scar, it is also only a temporary and barbaric solution. I was totally shocked by this and being one who dislikes taking such drugs, I decided that there had to be an alternative, and there was.

This is when I consulted with someone who was a close friend of mine at the time and who also happened to be a Certified Massage Therapist. She also explained exactly why we get Carpel Tunnel and her treatment made better sense than drugs and restriction. I started treatment with her, 3x a week. She worked on my muscles and taught me some pretty nifty stretching exercises that I still use to this day.

After a month of intense therapy, no drugs and no braces (those things are awful) I was pain free, and numbness free, and have been ever since. I no longer get the massages (sadly), although I kept getting them less regularly simply because they felt good. I haven't gotten massages in many years, but I do stretch my arms and hands on a regular basis.

My advice? Seek alternative solutions. Do what feels good to you and your body.