September/October 2003 Alternative Health
Wrist and Arm Problems

by Todd Pennington, LMT Oregon Lic #3833

  • Do your wrists give out before the work does?
  • 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)?

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 may be accompanied by pain. In 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.

Many people think they may have carpal tunnel syndrome. Check with your doctor to see if you do. Even if you are told that you do not have the syndrome, you still may have wrist pain. It is possible to reduce the pain and reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. One of the ways is to relax all the muscles in the wrist, hand, forearm, elbow, upper arm and shoulder.

When a muscle tightens it shortens, gets a bit wider (putting pressure on whatever is next to it) and pulls on the bones that it attaches to at each end of the muscle. Sometimes, the muscle may press on a nerve, the vast majority of the time this is fine with the body. If it presses hard enough, signals go to the brain to indicate problems. The difficulty is that the brain thinks the problem is at the normal end point for that particular sensor. The brain can interpret this as "STOP - Don’t do... (whatever action you were doing)". Massage is one way to help relieve the problem.

Wrist pain has many possible causes. There is a connective tissue structure that surrounds the wrist called a reticular band, this keeps the muscles in place and allows them to work. 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 which can press on the medial nerve (the most common nerve problem in carpal tunnel syndrome). When all of the possible causes are addressed, it increases the chance of long term pain relief from wrist and arm 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, controlling the wrist bones can release a lot of the tension. Also, if the muscles for the thumb tighten they can restrict wrist movement. 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 muscles are tight they can prevent the wrist from being able to move through its 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. Since the neck can force the entire arm and chest, relaxing neck muscles can be the most important factor in releasing wrist pain in some people.

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.

Control Muscle Release Therapy looks at the muscles that control bone and muscles at a distance. The goal is to release the muscles easily and gently, this frequently allows the structure to move with greater ease. The easiest way to release the whole body is to relax the key regions of the body. In many cases long term (chronic) conditions can be improved.

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