The
Most Common Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
is a "MUSCLE IMBALANCE" in the hand and
forearm.
Repetitive
and/or static (non moving) wrist and finger flexion
causes the flexor muscles which 'close' the hand
to develop more strength than the wrist and finger
extensor muscles that 'open' the hand. This quickly
leads to a "muscle imbalance" of
the wrist and hand due to the lack of activities
that require direct stimulation of the extensor
muscles. (i.e. People do not open
doors or hold onto the steering wheel of
a car with the backs of the hands.)
Performing repetitive wrist
and finger flexion causes inflammation of the
flexor tendons due to friction within the severely
compressed carpal tunnel; ultimately aggravating
the existing symptoms, and leading to possible
irreversible damage of the underlying tendons,
blood vessels and median nerve.
*NOTE: The
above explanation refers to carpal tunnel syndrome,
but muscle imbalances cause a variety of other
Repetitive Strain Injuries in the upper extremity,
including Trigger finger, Tennis Elbow and more,
refer to the Injury Chart and Product Use Chart
on the Home
Page.
Can The Symptoms Of Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome Be Reversed?
In Most Cases.
Performing
active stretches and exercises with FLEXTEND
can help correct the strength and
length differences between muscle groups.
Equalizing the flexor to extensor strength
and length ratio will often create balance
on both sides of the finger, wrist and
elbow joints, which can help reduce the
impingement/compression within and around
the wrist joints.
NOTE: For
the treatment of other Repetitive Strain
Injuries affecting the upper extremity,
refer to the Injury Chart on the Home
Page.
What
Does an Abnormal Carpal Tunnel Look Like?
Overuse
causes a muscle imbalance which leads to a
joint imbalance, causing unequal pressure on
the joint, causing one side of the joint to
be loose and the opposing side to be compressed.
What Does A Normal
Carpal Tunnel Look Like?
With
the regular use of FLEXTEND®,
the Carpal Tunnel may return
to its normal size and
shape, reducing the compression
of the median nerve and
allowing normal function
to return.
DISEASE:Diabetes,
thyroid and renal disorders
can cause carpal tunnel syndrome,
usually due to issues involving
increased weight gain and/or
fluid retention which in
turn may cause the median
nerve to swell or cause swollen
tendons and other soft tissues
to compressing the nerve.
PREGNANCY: A
reasonable number of women
are afflicted with carpal
tunnel syndrome during pregnancy.
The reasons for this usually
short term condition is caused
by increased weight gain,
fluid retention and hormonal
changes. The symptoms usually
subside once the pregnancy
is completed.
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