The effectiveness of therapeutic massage in carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Background: The carpal tunnel syndrome is a neuralgia of the median nerve of the hand caused by permanent pressure which results in sensation and motion disturbances in the area. Principal symptoms include pain in the hand and wrist, numbness and tingling of the fingers, sensation dysfunctions, and finally, the limitation of mobility and manual flexibility of the hand. The discomfort leads to a significant decrease in the patient’s quality of life. In case of carpal tunnel syndrome surgical and non-surgical treatments with selected elements of physiotherapy are applied. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to present and evaluate possible methods of treatment such as massage therapy and lymphatic drainage as the form of post-surgery treat-ment in carpal tunnel syndrome.Material and methods: The young woman with the carpal tunnel syndrome after the surgical treatment received 50-minute lymphatic drainage (three sessions) and 30-minute therapeutic massage (four sessions). The procedures were performed every two days.Results: After the application of both kinds of massage in appropriate sequence, the following changes have been notified. The swelling in the area of the hand was reduced and the patient reported definite decrease of pain.Conclusions: The massage might be one of the forms of therapy used after surgical treatment in carpal tunnel syndrome, especially when the symptoms occur. It is also often effective with other components of physiotherapy as non-surgical treatment.