Hello there,

My GP has just diagnosed me with having cts. I am 29 years old and it is in my left hand/wrist, a hand I do not use too often as I am write-handed. I cannot remember having injured it either. The symptoms started about 3 months ago when I would wake up in the morning with really stiff and slightly painful joints in my fingers. It would go away during the course of the day. This lasted a week or so, some days worse than others and then stopped. About three weeks ago it started up again, this time at night as well and much more swollen, stiff, painful etc and in my knuckles as well. I found that I had to continuously massage my knuckles for any kind of relief. Since being diagnosed and put on antinflammatries to see if it would go away the pain has moved down to the wrist and really aches at the base of the thumb and palm. It hurts doing anything using the hand and the pain continues through the day although its not bad enough to take pain killers, just a dull pain to remind me that it's there.
I would like to see someone who can help me more, but some people tend to see neurologists while others see orthopedic surgeons. Which one should I see and where should I go from here? I do not want to have surgery. HELP. Any comments will be gladly appreciated!!!!

Thanks in advance!!!

Please be careful "just diagnosed,"
I am not a Doctor.
This inforation is for "your entertainment only."
the reason for carpal tunnel problems is that the muscles in yur forearm that control yur finger are tense. It is that simple!!!!!
When you get the flexors and the extensor muscles (these are attatched to your Humerus -upper arm bone)relaxed the inflamation in the carpal tunnel will eventually subside. It could provide relief in minutes!!!
See when muscles get tight they get short and fat- too fat to fit in the carpal tunnel without irritation.
The flexors are on the palm side of the hand.
They attach on the medial side (side next to the body when the thumb is pointed away from the body) at the inside of the elbow joint just above the crease in the skin where the elbow folds.
This spot called the medial epycondile of the humerus will be very tight-press it and move your fist around.
On the back of the forearm trace the extensor muscles to the elbow from the wrist as you wiggle your fingers to fing the 'common extensor attachment. I Press mine and wiggle my fingers and fist until it does not hurt any more. I do it 10-15 minutes twice a day. While I an waiting around at a stoplight or something.
You can do it yourself or work with a massage therapist that know the Stuart Taws Method (worked with Carl Lewis when he broke World Records) also called British Sport Therapy or the Mattes Method based on the work of Arron Mattes- who has helped both US Pres. George Bush and Bill Clinton.
Most Physical Therapist have not a clue how to help!!
ditto for M.D.s.
However you can prove it to your self!!!!
The 'Secret' is that the theory of the 99% PTs & MDs & MTs think that a stretch must be held for at least three seconds. When this is done it aggrevates the problem!!!!
The stretch of each finger is between one and one and one half seconds. Find the very tight areas in your forearem between the elbow and wrist both on the front and back. Compress the tight areas and them stretch the fingers and wrist in the direction that pulls at the place you are pushing on -- get a friend to press the tightness as you move the fingers/wrist back and forth.
Any bodyworker eperienced in this technique can provide relief -- relief in minutes. Bad body mechanics and poor breating habits and stress can cause this problem.
It might take several sessions to make you forget your problem with CTS.
AND it will upset a few people that think they are being deprived of thousands of dollars that they planned to make off you especially since when you learn the TRUTH you are going to teach people and their racket is going to be less profitable.
Any Questions,
lamarbush@yahoo.com
lamarsky

I have made a few other posts on this topic.
These Concern the work of Doctor John E. Sarno, M.D.
and his books.
THE MINDBODY PRESCRIPTION is one.
They usually carry it at the Barnes & Noble.
By the way long hands free walks help a lot.
Swing the arm opposite the leg you are bringing forward. This is no joke... It really helps.
It has to do with programming the body and resetting the brain with a 'cross-crawl' pattern.
'Feldenkrais Practicioners' get paid thousands of dollars to help people do just this --And Long walks-even if it is so hot that you must go to the Midland Mall- are free. UTMidland and the colleges campuses are nice, too. Earily morning and dust should not be so hot. Have you checked out the Meteor Crater yet. Take a picture of some one you LOVE and some one who LOVES you and look at it off and on as you walk and during the day. Perhaps, you are a blocked Artist- have you read the 'Artist Way' by Julia Cameron?
I have heard it said that we being into our lives what we fear and what we LOVE. So, according to this, we have a choice as to what we think about. And what comes into your lives.
LAMARSKY

[This message has been edited by lamarsky (edited 08-14-2001).]

dear lamarsky,

thank you so very much for your advise and wise words. I am more than happy to read what you wrote as for sometime now have been aware thar there might be other problems at hand which are responsible for the cts. I firmly believe that we can change mostly anything with thought pattern and right living. I have been under a lot of stress lately, break-up, change of home as well work problems, family....almost everything that causes stress but all at the same time. Of course it has effected my life and have noticed that everything seems to be going downhill. As in the past I have received physical symtoms from stress and knew that this has to be somehow linked. Perhaps its even the heart meridian causing this pain. (fig or lit heart) It is painful though and I think as humans we do feel such pain we expect the very worse. I have been putting off going to an orthopedic surgeon for some time now. Its almost that I might know instinctively that it is curable and that I myself can heal it. I will try the excercises you say and of course will try to eliminate the problem of stress. It is funny though because I am an artist (illustartor/graphic designer) but have quite a block at the moment. Seem to be able to work only at the last moment...(or under pressure) perhaps because I am not enjoying what I am doing or what the client wants me to do. Although it is not my right hand that is being affected, which I assumed it would be. Thank you once again!!!!!

I will probably e-mail my response to you as well!!!

Thank you,

Lee-Ann

Lee Ann I have had bilateral CTS surgery and right trigger thumb release surgery. I was sent to a specailist that deals with hands only. He gave me antiinflamatories, vitamin B-6 and splints to wear on both hands that prevented me from moving my wrist. He ordered a NCV/EMG study to see if the carpal tunnel was pinching the nerves. After they did this test I was diagnosised with severe carpal tunnel in both hands. The nerve was completely pinched off in both hands and the only solution was to relieve the neve by surgery. I have what is called a repetitive motion injury. The Dr. told me the hurting under my thumb was a part of Carpal tunnel symdrome. anytime you do something that causing the carpal tunnel to get inflamed and swell causing pressure on the nerve and if it is not treated then it will get worse. I had surgery on 3-13-00 and 6-15-00 and wound up with 42% damage in upper extremities. This was determined after occupational therapy and through a Functional Capibility Evaluation and an Imperiment Rating. My work has given me a hard time but did change my job and have been keying most of the time now. I have redeveloped CTS This time it is moderate. A Neurologist can do the NCV/EMG but he has to have a referal from a Doctor to see you most of the time and then he can recommend someone you can see. I hope that I have helped. You can read my previous post or email me if you want to. Bamabrneyes2@Hotmail.com. Good luck and please take care of your hands you really don't realize how important they are until you loose use or have permanent damage to them. God Bless

Dear Lee-Ann,
The left hand often is a metaphor for the sheild arm.
It is a symbol of the nuturing influences.
This is usually associated the feminine aspects of life.
The weakness there might indicate the you dson't feel supported.
Or, inside, perhaps at a subconscious level, you feel powerless and betrayed.
all the Best,
Lamarsky