Massage Tutorial: Carpal tunnel syndrome (myofascial release)

Got clients with tingling/numbness in the first few digits? We're probably dealing with compression of the median nerve. Even if they've had a formal diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, this broad myofascial work should be gentle enough to apply to most clients.

My main piece of advice is to avoid focusing too much on the wrist. If there is nerve impingement and inflammation there, it's not going to be too happy about deep friction. Instead, see about calming down the wrist and finger flexors. If you can defuse that bomb, sometimes the wrist will follow.

While you're at it, work with the neck, shoulder, and hand. Follow the median nerve all the way up and down, warming and soothing the tissue.

As with all neurological problems, keep track of your client's symptoms, and back off if any particular strategies seem to be aggravating the tingling/numbness. Remember that it took your client many years to get into this situation, so it may take a number of sessions!

Let me know what you think!

[Anddrew]

It's 3:40 am and my pregnant wife can't sleep because carpal tunnel is making her hands hurt. I was able to look up this video and provide a bit of comfort and relief to her until we can get to a proper therapist. Thank you!

[shawningram]

Your videos are making me a better therapist! Thanks Ian! I owe you!

[singram]

Ian, please, please, please write a book. You're always so helpful, enthusiastic and inspiring! Thanks for helping shape and inform my massage practice!

[restorod]

I was considering carpal tunnel surgery and was very close to getting it scheduled UNTIL I learned about the success of myofascial
Therapy and saw this video. I get a tingling feeling in my hands towards the end of my half mile swim so I’ve always thought that it originated in my shoulder, I think you just confirm that that is a strong possibility. Thank you.

[humaneleaguelancPA]

Excellent Ian, I have a client coming in today with carpal tunnel, I've learned so much, thank you!!

[tiffanyhill]

I need a massage from you! Anytime I’m feeling like I need some inspiration to get out of a “burn out” stage I come to your channel! Thank you so much for your dedication to helping other Massage therapist like myself!

[레이첼김-ll]

One of my coworkers last week if I knew how to massage anyone with carpal tunnel. I was about to start my next session but I told her I saw this video and recommended she watch it too before her client came in later that day. I asked afterwards if she watched it and if it helped...needless to say it was yes on both.
So as always thank you Ian Harvey 😊

[taymac]

Seeing that hand massage effected me more than anything i ever watched, i need this My own whole body reflexes when you hit some points

[ThomasBricker]

Well done Ian! Very well explained and demonstrated. I will try some of these massages. Thanks for presenting this to us folks with painful fingers! We appreciate you.

[tearsofjoyforallthispain]

Thank you so much for this. My husband was diagnosed as having "carpal tunnel", so we found your video. Turns out he actually has TOS, the subclavian artery has some compression when he lifts his arms, but they think it's neurogenic TOS . We shall see, because they've just been ignoring him as he's loosing the muscle in his hands. Your video helped so much and pointed us in the right direction. The massage techniques help a bit.

[branandubh]

Very good video. I really appreciate the more global and holistic approach that considers the state of the nervous system, which is always implicated in pain conditions.

[eme]

Thank you Ian! Everytime I watch your videos I'm motivated to be a better therapist

[AW-itpf]

Love it that you name the muscle during the massage. Helps me with my study. Thank you for this🎉

[TigerAceSullivan]

thank you for making this video, and going over more aspects to the median nerve than just that carpal tunnel section of the wrist. ive been having issues with compression of that nerve further up towards my shoulder (combination of side sleeping and a new job that puts strain on that area), and it was difficult to find any info about it that wasnt focused specifically on the carpal tunnel.

[Carol-wojo]

I just did it on myself the best I could. I thought the video was very complete.

[vgpriceless]

Thks again for your quality sharing.  I will be incorporating all these techniques into my Sloth Bag!!!  I'm thinking that when doing CTS TX only,  I think I'll have the client(s) more over slightly on the table to the none TX side, giving me more space on the TX side to lay forearm down to work comfortably on those flexors.

[danadepreter]

I really appreciated this video. I watched a couple others before I hand but none of them really describe what they were doing with their hand you were very descriptive in the video and it actually was very helpful and teaching me what it is that I need to do to fix the problems in my sweethearts are at least help thank you.

[johnshake]

That "Hi" in the beginning is so wholesome.

[johnbaxter]

Thanks very much! I am trying to assist a very dear friend. Your help is so very valuable to us.

[larisanichitus]

Ian, please how many sessios must be done ? Thank you so much, you did a great job.