Carpal Tunnel

UofMfan · 04-29-2011, 07:21 AM

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.

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04-29-2011, 07:21 AM	#4
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,936 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	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.