Massage Therapy – Merritt Island: Glossary
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome results from the compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel (a gap between the carpal bones through which the median nerve passes). In many cases this condition is caused not by the collapse of the carpal tunnel but rather tendonitis within the wrist. The inflammation of the tendons creating pressure on the nerve.
Symptoms: It is characterized by pain and/or numbness and tingling in the hand focused primarily in the area of the thumb as well as the index and middle fingers.
Cause: This condition is most often brought about as a result of long term exposure to repetitive, tension causing activities within the hand and forearms associated with fine motor skills such as typing and keyboard use, handheld tools, excessive tablet or cell phone use, sewing, quilting, and other precision related activities.
Prevention: Onset can often be prevented by exercising common sense measures such as taking frequent breaks, shaking out hands regularly to relax the muscles and tendons, and icing hands, wrists, and forearms to reduce inflammation.
Treatment: Some of the above preventative measures can be somewhat effective in the early stages once one has begun having symptoms, but other, more aggressive treatments may become necessary if the condition is allowed to progress before treatment is sought. In most cases the symptoms can be mitigated and even reversed by quality care by a licensed massage therapist who has been appropriately and adequately trained in helping with this particular issue. In severe cases a doctor may recommend surgery, but it would be wise to attempt and exhaust any and all less invasive measures and procedures prior to pursuing surgery as a last resort.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) is a condition often resulting from a misalignment of the joint hinges typically due to muscular imbalance creating a pull to one side or the other.
Symptoms: Pain in the jaw, mouth, skull, and sometimes the ears, clicking, and difficulty chewing, and opening and closing the mouth.
Cause: Often this condition is caused by stress which can manifest in chronic teeth grinding, usually during sleep, but also during waking hours, it can also be congenital meaning that a persons skull and jaw are simply constructed in such a way that the individual is born with a natural misalignment of the jaws and teeth.
Prevention: Jaw stretching and relaxation exercises can be helpful in mitigating early onset symptoms and can be preventative, but one must first acknowledge he or she is under stress and may have an issue before preventative measures can be employed.
Treatment: Some of the above preventative measures can be somewhat effective in the early stages once one has begun having symptoms, but other, more aggressive treatments may become necessary if the condition is allowed to progress before treatment is sought. In most cases the symptoms can be mitigated and even reversed by quality care by a licensed massage therapist who has been appropriately and adequately trained in helping with this particular issue. In severe cases a doctor may recommend surgery, but it would be wise to attempt and exhaust any and all less invasive measures and procedures prior to pursuing surgery as a last resort.
Dupuytren's Contracture is a is condition affecting the tissues on the hand. It is believed to be a thickening of the fascial tissue of the hand, particularly in the area of the metacarpals farthest from the thumb, but may also be tied to tendon fibers within the same area.
Symptoms: Initial symptoms may be mild including a small lump in or around the metacarpal region below the proximal (first) joint of the digits (fingers). As the condition progresses the lump will become larger and more restrictive until the the condition progresses to the point wherein the digit(s) (finger(s)) begins to bend involuntarily and eventually permanently.
Cause: The condition is thought to be congenital in nature, but based upon the growing number of diagnosis this may or may not be conclusive.
Prevention: If the condition is, in fact, congenital there is no true method of prevention, but managing the onset of symptoms may be possible including regular myofascial release treatment to manage and perhaps reduce the thickening of the fascial material in the hand.
Treatment: Some of the above preventative measures can be somewhat effective in the early stages once one has begun having symptoms, but other, more aggressive treatments may become necessary if the condition is allowed to progress before treatment is sought. In most cases the symptoms can be mitigated and even reversed by quality care by a licensed massage therapist who has been appropriately and adequately trained in helping with this particular issue. In severe cases a doctor may recommend surgery, but it would be wise to attempt and exhaust any and all less invasive measures and procedures prior to pursuing surgery as a last resort.