This is Part One of the Common Injuries Suffered by Massage Therapists!
Massage Therapy unquestionably incorporates whole-body strength and movement, but the hands and wrists are perhaps the stars of the show. So preventing injury is crucial to career longevity—your ability to do your job effectively for as long as you choose.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
CTS has become a catch-all term that is too often applied to any pain syndrome anywhere in the wrist area. Many other injuries can cause symptoms at the wrist.
CTS, however, has quite a specific definition: it is impingement of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel.
When there is ongoing pressure on the median nerve within the rigid, fixed space of the carpal tunnel, located between the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament of the wrist. This pressure, which can have several causes, cuts down on the volume of nerve impulses traveling through the nerve to and from the hand. Mechanical stress on the nerve can damage the nerve tissue and can be a result of keeping the wrist in flexion for a sustained time or placing the wrist against an object like a desk for sustained periods.
Symptoms of CTS: Pain felt in the palmar aspect of the wrist radiating into the hand, particularly the palm, the thumb, index finger, third finger, and adjoining half of the ring finger paresthesias can be experienced along the same nerve path.
CTS tends to come on slowly and can be triggered by a sudden increase in workload or decrease in the time allowed between massages.
Treatment: physiotherapy splints anti-inflammatory medication surgery
Saddle Joint Injury
The thumb’s basal, or CMC, the joint is saddle-shaped, formed by the trapezium in the wrist and the metacarpal in the thumb.
This distinctive shape enables the thumb to rotate up, down and across the palm, and to pinch.
Saddle joint injury can present with throbbing pain or a dull ache.
Treatment: Rest. Anti-inflammatory medications, both topically and orally. Splinting may also be recommended.
These injuries are most often caused by overuse. Thus, prevention is a crucial factor in career longevity.
Prevention Proper alignment of the wrists (120 degrees) Hands and thumbs. When possible, use forearms, and elbows Table Height (this is why I LOVE my Hydraulic/ Electric Table)! Engage core Warm-up before sessions Rest between sessions Stretch and strengthen throughout the day Self-care (get a Massage, see a Chiropractor, Physiotherapy, Yoga).
What are your best recovery, or prevention, strategies? Let us know in the comment section below!
Have an Awesome Day! Shaunna
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Welcome to Part Two of Common Injuries suffered by Massage Therapists.
Bicipital Tendonitis
Biceps tendonitis is inflammation of the long head of the biceps tendon. In its early stages, the tendon becomes red and swollen. As tendonitis develops, the tendon sheath (covering) can thicken. The cord itself often thickens or grows larger.
In these late stages, the Biceps Tendon is often dark red in color due to the inflammation. Occasionally, the damage to the tendon can result in a tendon tear, and then deformity of the arm (a “Popeye” bulge in the upper arm).
Cause
In most cases, damage to the biceps tendon is due to a lifetime of normal activities. As we age, our tendons slowly weaken with everyday wear and tear. This degeneration can be worsened by overuse — repeating the same shoulder motions again and again.
Many jobs and routine chores can cause overuse damage. Sports activities — particularly those that require repetitive overhead motion, such as swimming, tennis, and baseball — can also put people at risk for biceps tendinitis.
A repetitive overhead motion may play a part in other shoulder problems that occur with biceps tendinitis. Rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis, and chronic shoulder instability are often caused by overuse, repetitive motion.
Symptoms
· Pain or tenderness in the front of the shoulder, which worsens with overhead lifting or activity · Pain or achiness that moves down the upper arm bone · An occasional snapping sound or sensation in the shoulder
Rotator Cuff Injury
When the rotator cuff is damaged, a variety of issues arise: Pain and spasm limit the range of motion of the shoulder.
The muscles do not make the small adjustments within the joint to allow the humeral head to move smoothly.
Fluid accumulation within the joint due to inflammation limits movement.
There can be an impingement on the rotator cuff muscles or the tendons that attach them to the bones. The tendons run through narrow bony spaces, and if there is a change in how the humerus and scapula move, these spaces can become even narrower.
Arthritis and calcium deposits that form over time limit range of motion. These calcifications may occur along the bony edges of the joint or within the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles.
Chronic rotator cuff tears are typically found among people in occupations or sports requiring excessive overhead activity (examples, painters, baseball pitchers, tennis players).
The constant injuries may be a result of a previous acute injury that has caused a structural problem within the shoulder and affected the rotator cuff anatomy or function (for example, bone spurs that impinge upon a muscle or tendon, inducing inflammation).
Repetitive trauma to the muscle by everyday movement of the shoulder.
A chronic tear may lead to degenerative changes to the tendon, leading to worsening pain, decreased range of motion, and reduced function.
Treatments:
Rest. The first step toward recovery is to avoid activities that cause pain. The use of a sling may be appropriate.
Ice. Apply cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day, to keep swelling down. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. Ibuprofen and Naproxen reduces pain and swelling.
Physical therapy. Specific stretching and strengthening exercises can help restore range of motion and strengthen your shoulder.
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