Why is Carpal Tunnel syndrome so painful?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist that’s around an inch wide. It is formed by the carpal bones or wrist bones on the floor and sides and the transverse carpal ligament on the roof. This tunnel is very hard so it has very limited capacity to stretch.

From the neck, down to the arms and into the hand runs the median nerve. This nerve passes through the carpal tunnel and is responsible for the feelings in the fingers and hand. The carpal tunnel is also the passageway for the flexor tendons, which move the fingers of the hand.

Pain occurs when the median nerve gets compressed or pinched. This also results in numbness and a tingling sensation in the hands and arm. This is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Massage helps in softening and lengthening the muscles and fascia and thus help relieve the symptoms of CTS.

How myofascial release massage works

For years, therapists had been using myofascial release massage to successfully treat their patients' carpal tunnel syndrome. Myofascial release massage is a special type of manipulation where the therapist "kneads" the tissues over the skin. 

This massage for carpal tunnel syndrome is effective because of the way massaging fingers move over the wrist joint. A therapist starts by pushing their thumbs into your wrist and forearm. Then the thumbs are rotated in "opposing" directions. This rotation is reversed and repeated, over and over again, producing the required "kneading" motion.

The mechanical forces transmit to the underlying tendons. They push and pull in every direction, breaking apart the majority of tendon adhesions. Consequently, the tendons are free to glide again. This release of restrictions is what makes myofascial massage such a powerful therapy.

Below is a magnification of actual collagen adhesions (notice the lumps of collagen). Myofascial massage stretches and releases the collagen.

Using a Massage Gun for Carpal Tunnel

Setup:

1. Choose the ball head attachment*

2. Turn the BANG Massage Gun on and choose the desired speed setting.

3. Apply BANG to the forearm, and begin massaging downwards towards the wrist, and back up.

* We recommend using the ball head attachment. The hand is very bony and using one of the harder attachments may be painful. However, you are also free to use whatever attachment head you feel most comfortable with.

For carpal tunnel syndrome relief:

1. You can do the massage standing up or you can sit down and place your forearm on a flat surface like a table.

2. Gently float the massage gun across the top of the forearm for 10-15 seconds.

3. Turn your forearm over and run the massage gun across the bottom of the forearm for another 10-15 seconds.

4. Move to the palm and massage it for 15 seconds.

After the massage, stretch the forearms for 10-15 seconds. Do this twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.