Does the thumb side of your hand fall asleep at night?  Do you have trouble holding onto things
You may have carpal tunnel
Carpal Tunnel syndrome is caused by the compression of the median nerve that runs on the inside of your wrist. When you bend your wrist in a flexed position for a long period of time like when sleeping, holding your phone, or at a repetitive job, the space for the nerve to glide narrows which puts pressure on the nerve.
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RELIEVE
How can myofascial release help?
MFR can release the tension of the fascia (connective tissue)that is compressing the median nerve.  When the connective tissue in the wrist, forearm, neck, and shoulder are released the median nerve is able to glide freely.  The pain and numbness then subsides and you can return to normal function.Â
Studies have shown that this treatment can help you to avoid the need to surgically release the tension.
RESTORE
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After myofascial treatment to release tight tissues maintain with....
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Stretches
1. Bring your wrist back and open up your hand. Hold and stretch for 3-5 minutes
2. Gently push wrist and fingers back further with your other hand and stretch for 3-5 minutes
3. Extend your elbow out to the side with wrist up and fingers separated and opposite ear to shoulder and stretch. You can also use wall for even more stretch. Hold for 3-5 minutes
4. Put hands in prayer position and push together and down
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Exercises
Nerve gliding exercises
1. Begin with wrist and fingers straight.
2. Roll fingers from tip to palm of hand and then roll back up.
3. Separate fingers with wrist straight.
4. With fingers separated extend wrist back
5. Pull thumb down with opposite hand
ALWAYS use proper posture!
Keep wrist in middle position when working and sleeping. Do NOT leave wrist flexed or extended for long periods of time.
It may be beneficial to sleep with a wrist brace especially if you tend to sleep with wrists flexed.
Sit/stand tall with shoulders back and down and keep curve in low back. Tight muscles and pressure on the median nerve can start at the shoulder.
RENEW
Stress is a major factor affecting chronic pain. According to Web MD stress is a reaction to perceived or real threat that causes our bodies to go into "fight or flight" so we are ready to take on the threat.Â
Some physical symptoms of stress are low energy; headaches;Â aches, pains, and tense muscles; chest pain and rapid heartbeat;Â insomnia;Â frequent colds and infection; clenched jaw and grinding teeth (TMJ)
Some consequences of long term stress include cardiovacular disease; high blood pressure;Â gastrointestinal problems (GERD, IBS, ulcers); and mental health problems.
For these reasons it is important to manage stress as well as to relieve pain and restore function.