How to Use Shiatsu for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain and burning sensations in the palm, numbness and tingling in the first three fingers, and pain that extends into the forearm, elbow and shoulder. Symptoms occur when the median nerve is compressed by inflammation and swelling at the wrist. Shiatsu uses a variety of pressure techniques to release tension, alleviate nerve compression and enhance the flow of energy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Release muscle tension from your forearm as you apply pressure to the point found two and one-half fingers above of the wrist between the two bones.
2. Palpate the pressure point located in the middle of the soft aspect of the forearm, two and one-half fingers above the wrist and apply pressure with the pad of your thumb to stimulate the point.
3. Relieve tingling and numbness in your fingers by pressing the point located in a hollow at the center of the crease on the back of the wrist.
4. Feel the calming effects of this point as you apply gentle pressure to an area in the middle of the crease on the palm side of the wrist.
5. Apply simultaneous pressure with the pad of your middle finger on step 1 and the pad of your thumb on step 2 to alleviate the tension from your hand and strengthen the wrist.
6. Hold step 4 with the pad of your thumb and step 3 with the pad of your middle finger for at least a minute or until pain subsides.
7. Ease local wrist pain and weakness by applying pressure with the pad of your thumb to the point just outside of the radial pulse on the thumb side of the wrist.
8. Reduce swelling and decrease pressure on the median nerve to ease elbow and arm pain by applying pressure to the point found at the outer crease of your bent elbow.
9. Apply pressure to the point located at the middle of your upper arm just in front of the insertion point of the shoulder muscle to relax the tendons of the shoulder and arm.

Tips & Warnings

• Working with one or all of these points will be effective.
• Take slow deep breaths when holding pressure to enhance the movement of energy and to reduce any pain or discomfort. When the pain subsides, lighten your pressure and wait to feel a pulsation.
• Daily flexion, extension and rotation exercises that provide a complete movement to your wrist will help to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Elevate your hand to help decrease inflammation and swelling at the wrist.
• Use Tiger Balm on your shoulder and arm to release muscle tension that may exacerbate symptoms.
• Repetitive stress injury is due to repeated incomplete movements. The repetitive motion does not allow the muscle to contract fully and, therefore, it remains in a tonic or semicontracted state unable to relax. To prevent repetitive stress injuries, you must provide a complete movement to fully contract the muscle and then let go!
• Our intention is to provide accurate information on alternative treatments to empower health care consumers. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.