January/February 2002 Alternative Health
Wrist and Arm Problems
by Todd Pennington
Do your arms and hands ache? Do you have a strong grip? Do you
drop things? Do you want to wear a wrist brace? Can you bring your
hand back almost 90 degrees (right angle)? Can you bend it forward
90 degrees (right angle)? Can you extend your arm straight out (no
bend at the elbow)? These are some of the questions in determining
wrist and arm problems. The most common remedy is to live with it.
The result is that in time movement is restricted and is normally
accompanied by pain. In seeking help for it, doctors will push surgery.
Surgery has its own pain and frequently does not take care of the
entire problem. In a great many cases the arm and wrist pain can
be released quickly by a massage therapist who knows how to relax
the muscles that control the arm.
"Even if you have been told that nothing can be done about
your pain, there can be hope of change."
Many people are told they have carpal tunnel syndrome, but sometimes
it is the neck that is the real problem. Check your neck; feel if
it is tight or sore. Put your hand to the back of your neck. The
neck is supposed to have a gentle curve front to back as you move
your hand up and down the neck. If the shape of your neck moves
forward abruptly then it can pinch nerves. If you have a flat area
(almost no front to back curve) in the neck, it can pinch nerves
in a different way. This can cause pain in the shoulder, arm and
wrist. In either case, relax the muscles and the vertebra can move
into more comfortable positions.
The Problem is that nerves are being pinched. This is caused by
muscles being so tight that the nerve is pinched or that special
cells in the wrist signal danger. In either case, the brain interprets
it as "STOP - Don't do... (whatever action you were doing)".
Keeping the problem or correcting it with surgery are options, not
requirements. There is another way.
Each muscle that moves the arm, wrist and hand, including all
of the shoulder and neck muscles is capable of restricting the motion
of the arm and wrist. Thus, each of these muscles needs to be considered
in releasing the wrist pain. As the muscles release, the wrist can
move more and is less likely to be painful. The key is to know the
muscles and how each can impact wrist pain. It is also critical
to know several ways to relax each muscle. One of the most important
things to know is how relaxing muscles at another location can relax
the entire region. The problem is frequently not at the location
of the pain.
Both in evaluation and in therapy look at many different causes
for the problem. Each muscle in the hand needs to be checked to
find any problem in the hand itself. In many cases a gentle release
of the muscles, controlling the wrist bones can release a lot of
the tension. Also, the if the muscles for the thumb tighten they
can become restrictive to moving the wrist. The area around the
thumb can be worked. This means the entire area and not just the
center of the webbing. (Releasing the wrist can help to loosen muscles
all the way to the head and has been known to help headaches.) There
are many muscles in the forearm that pull the thumb toward the elbow.
Others control additional motions of the wrist and hand. When these
are tight the muscles can prevent the wrist from being able to move
the normal full range of motion.
Muscles at greater distance also need to be considered. It is
possible that a pull from a great distance can control the wrist
pain. Muscles of the upper arm control the position of the elbow
and the flexibility of the whole arm. Most of this area is controlled
by the shoulder, upper pectoral area and below the arm pit. The
shoulder region controls much of what happens for the entire arm
and wrist. Some of the easiest ways of releasing the wrist start
here. The neck can force the entire arm and chest. Relaxing muscles
that control the motion of the neck can be the most important work
to release wrist pain in some people.
Control Muscle Release Therapy looks at the muscles that control
bone and muscles at a distance. The goal is to release the structure
easily and gently. The easiest way to release the whole body is
to relax the key regions of the body. I work on all the issues that
I have talked about and many others.
For more information or an appointment call Todd Pennington,
LMT, 10175 SW Barbur, Suite 306, Portland, OR 97219. (503) 244-4427.
For more articles see www.penningtonmassage.com.