Category: Certified Massage Therapists Santa Barbara

Carpal Tunnel

Carpal Tunnel

Simply put, carpal tunnel syndrome is the inflammation or entrapment of nerves within the carpal tunnel of the anterior wrist, which can cause pain and numbness symptoms to include numbness and tingling in the hand, difficulty grasping or carrying objects, and, sometimes, hand pain. Some, report the pain is worse in the evening, and sleep can be interrupted.
The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are often associated with repetitive motion, such as working at a computer all day, for example, though other factors can come into play, as well. “Carpal tunnel is most often considered a repetitive strain or overuse injury, but genetics and disease processes can contribute to the symptoms, too. “Excessive flexion and extension of the wrist seem to be the most popular theory as to cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, heredity, those with smaller carpal tunnels, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few, can all play a part.”

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Neck and Arm Pain

Neck and Arm Pain

Massage can relieve neck pain if it’s done often by a professional therapist and for the correct length of time, according to new research.

One-hour sessions two or three times a week appear to be best, said study researcher Karen Sherman, a senior scientific investigator at Group Health Research Institute in Seattle.

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Active or Direct Myofascial Release Massage

Active or Direct Myofascial Release Massage

Myofascial release (MFR), which was first described by Andrew Taylor Still and his early students, is a system of techniques that is directed at myofascial structures. Techniques can be described as either direct or indirect. Direct MFR techniques engage the restrictive barrier, and the tissue is then loaded with a constant force until tissue release/relaxation occurs.1 An example of this would be the very common practice of stretching myofascial tissues during warm-up or rehabilitation. Indirect MFR involves gliding the dysfunctional tissues along the path of least resistance (away from the barrier) until free movement is achieved.1

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