May/June 2003 Alternative Health
Computers Wrist and Arm Problems

by Todd Pennington, LMT Oregon Lic #3833

Do you use a computer? If so, typing places the hands into positions that frequently contribute to wrist pain. The angle of your arms to the key board, the position of the monitor, the way you sit in your chair and many other factors all contribute to predisposing people to tight wrist and arm muscles.

If you have any of these warning signs (there are others), you might benefit from some help with your arms:

Do your arms give out before the work is done?

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 (rightangle)?

Can you bend it forward 90 degrees (right angle)?

The most common response is to live with it (frequently with the help of pain killers). The danger is that in time movement may become restricted and may be accompanied by pain. In a great many cases the arm and wrist pain can be released by a massage therapist who knows how to relax the muscles that control the arm.

When a muscle tightens, it pulls on the bones that it attaches to. Sometimes, the muscle may press on or "pinch" a nerve. If it presses hard enough, signals go to the brain to indicate problems. The brain can interpret this as "STOP! Don’t do... whatever action you were doing." The difficulty is that the brain thinks the problem is at the normal end point for that sensor. Massage at the actual point of pressure is one way to help relieve the problem.

Wrist pain has many possible causes. The muscles that pull the hand back (extensors), may be tight enough to force the muscles that pull the hand forward (flexors) to tighten. Extensors and flexors may both be so tight that they press on the connective tissue (reticular band) which can press on the medial nerve (the most common nerve problem in carpal tunnel syndrome). Both of these may be caused by the head being pulled forward, due to tight muscles in the front of the neck. This can rotate the shoulders forward, tightening chest muscles and causing a rotation in the forearm bones. Another cause is nerve entrapment by muscles from the middle of the neck. When all of these possible causes and others are addressed, it increases the chance of long term pain relief from wrist and arm pain.

The key is in knowing each muscle and how it can impact wrist pain. It is also critical to know several ways of relaxing each muscle. One of the most important things to know is how relaxing muscles at another location can relax the entire region. The problem frequently is not at the location of the pain.

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 and connective tissue controlling the wrist bones can release a lot of the tension. Also, if the muscles for the thumb tighten they can become restrictive in moving the wrist. The area around the thumb can be worked. This means the entire area and not just the center of the webbing. There are others controlling 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.

It is also possible that a pull from muscles at greater distance can affect 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 muscles of the shoulder, upper pectoral area and chest below the arm pit. The muscles of 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 put tension on the entire arm and chest, and for some people relaxing these muscles can be the most important factor in relieving wrist pain.

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.

NeuroMuscular Therapy is a comprehensive program of soft tissue manipulation techniques that balance the central nervous system with the structure and form of the musculoskeletal system. NeuroMuscular Therapy is based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system maintains homeostatic balance. NeuroMuscular Therapy looks at the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. It is a gentle method of relaxing the muscles, one layer at a time.

For more information or an appointment call Todd Pennington, LMT, OR Lic #3833 or Pam Pennington, LMT, OR Lic #8027 at (503) 244-4427. 10175 SW Barbur, Suite 306, Portland OR 97219, www.penningtonmassage.com

©Todd Pennington, 2003