| Massage therapy eases the symptoms of
| |
| | elicits pain or tingling, was also used
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| carpal tunnel syndrome and increases grip
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| | at the start and finish of the study.
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| strength, according to a recent study.
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| | Physicians used the Phalen Test at the
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| "Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are
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| | beginning and end of the study as well.
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| lessened following massage therapy" was
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| | The Phalen Test involves flexing of the
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| conducted by staff at the Touch Research
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| | wrists to see if numbness or tingling
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| Institutes at the University of Miami
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| | occurs.
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| School of Medicine in Miami, Florida.
| |
| | A nerve conduction test was also
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| Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
| |
| | performed at the start and finish of the
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| include pain, tingling, burning and
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| | study. This involved stimulation of the
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| numbness of the hand. Sixteen people
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| | median sensory nerves through electrodes
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| diagnosed with this syndrome participated
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| | placed on each subject's index finger and
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| in the study. All of them held jobs
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| | wrist. Peak sensory latencies were
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| involving heavy word processing or
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| | recorded to test for nerve compression at
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| computer work.
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| | the carpal tunnel. Median peak latency
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| Subjects were randomly assigned to either
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| | was the primary outcome measure.
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| the standard-treatment control group or
| |
| | Assessments were also made before and
|
| the massage-therapy group. Those in the
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| | after the massage sessions on the first
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| massage group received one massage per
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| | and last days of the study, including the
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| week on the affected arm for four weeks.
| |
| | Perceived Grip Strength Scale; VITAS, a
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| They were also instructed in
| |
| | pain assessment using a visual analogue
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| self-massage, which they were to perform
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| | scale; the state anxiety inventory; and
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| each night before bed.
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| | the Profile of Mood States.
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| The massage routine consisted of stroking
| |
| | Results of the study showed that the
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| of moderate pressure from the fingertips
| |
| | subjects in the massage group had
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| to the elbow. A massage and pain log was
| |
| | significantly less pain and reduced
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| kept by subjects in the massage group. In
| |
| | carpal tunnel symptoms, as well as
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| the log, participants recorded the times
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| | shorter median peak latencies and
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| at which they began and ended
| |
| | increased grip strength.
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| self-massage, as well as their levels of
| |
| | "Functional activity also improved as
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| pain on a scale from zero to 10.
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| | noted in reduced pain and increased grip
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| Subjects in the control group received no
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| | strength in the massage therapy group,
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| intervention, but were taught the massage
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| | both immediately after the first and last
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| routine after the study ended.
| |
| | massage therapy sessions and by the end
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| Physicians evaluated participants' carpal
| |
| | of the study," state the study's authors.
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| tunnel symptoms, such as tingling,
| |
| | "Finally, the massage therapy group
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| numbness, pain and strength, at the
| |
| | reported lower anxiety and depressed mood
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| beginning and end of the four-week study.
| |
| | levels both immediately after the first
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| The Tinel sign, which tests to see if
| |
| | and last sessions and by the end of the
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| light tapping of the affected area
| |
| | study.
|