Is it carpal tunnel or shoulder tension?

Here is a letter from a fellow massage therapist that ran in the American Massage Therapy Assn. newsletter.

Because the brachial plexus goes through the shoulder area, tension of the shoulder muscles can bring on what seems like classic carpal tunnel symptoms—numbness and tingling in the fingers.

As a massage therapist I find I have to be ultravigilant about keeping my shoulders down when performing massage or I start to get these symptoms. I’ve also found that many people experience these symptoms because of the tension they carry in their shoulders and neck.

Tensing of these muscles is usually totally unconscious, and it doesn't take much to cause the symptoms. Even very slight contractions, held all day, can easily cause symptoms that show up at night.

A simple way to help release this tension is to raise your shoulders and hold for a few seconds. Then pretend there is a heavy weight attached to your shoulders as you let them fall again.

This little exercise should be done often throughout the day.

Donna Lipson
Highland Heights, Ohio