Yonemoto Physical Therapy

Movements done repeatedly over a long time, such as working on an assembly line or using a computer, can cause a condition known as repetitive motion injury.  Repeated motions strain smaller muscles and joints causing pain, swelling and limited use of the body part.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS is one type of repetitive motion injury.
 
The word "carpal" comes from the Latin word "carpus," meaning “wrist,” and  “tunnel” refers to the shape formed by the wrist bones and a tough membrane binding the bones together.  If the soft tissues within this tunnel swell, they press on and pinch the Median Nerve, causing pain.  "Syndrome" indicates several symptoms together characterizing a specific disease.

Symptoms of CTS include tingling and intermittent numbness of the hand, often accompanied by pains shooting up the arm from the wrist, generally worsening at night disrupting sleep.  Hanging your hand over the side of the bed and rubbing or shaking it may lessen the pain.  A severe condition may lead to weakness of the thumb and one or more fingers, or unpleasant stiffness or clumsiness in the fingers, especially in the morning.

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
• Vigorous use of the hand producing blood vessel swelling.
• Inflammation of tendons in the fingers, possibly due to overuse with repetitive motions or unusual strain on the wrist. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis causing increased swelling in the wrist. 
• Fluid retention from PMS or the last trimester of pregnancy, putting pressure on the nerve. 
• Various metabolic diseases, including gout, hypothyroidism, acromegaly or amyloidosis.

Some very mild cases may clear up by themselves.  Classic treatment immobilizes the wrist with a splint for two or three weeks.  In many cases, physical therapy helps using electrical stimulation, manual therapy and exercise.  Taking B vitamins helps in mild cases.  Making modifications in using your wrist and hands can make a tremendous difference, as this addresses the reason the problem occurred in the first place.  In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to create more space and to alleviate the pressure off of the nerve.

FOR PREVENTION of CTS:
• Use your wrists and hands appropriately.  
• Do not overwork, tire or strain them. 
• Listen to your body for signals of overuse and try to make the movement more efficient.
• Take movement breaks so muscles and joints have a chance to “recharge.”
• Vary your activities so you are not using the same muscles continuously.
• In your leisure time, do activities using other parts of your body. 
• Include a regular stretching program for the whole body.
• Do a regular program of aerobic exercise to be sure you are getting oxygen to your entire body, since disease forms in the absence of oxygen.
 
Prevention is everyone’s responsibility. See what you can do to improve the conditions in you and around you.
 
If you have any questions, please submit them to:
Sheila Yonemoto, P.T.
Yonemoto Physical Therapy
55 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 100
Alhambra, CA 91801
PHONE:  626 576 0591
FAX: 626 576 5890

Links:
http://www.yonemoto.com/ - Yonemoto Physical Therapy home page
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/IMT.htm - Integrative Manual Therapy, a Hands-On Approach
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/qigong.htm - Qigong to boost the immune system

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