This is a series on arm and hand pain causes. If you missed the beginning, go back to the Checklist. Many years ago now, I attended a talk by Dr. Emil Pascarelli to the RSI/Mass COSH group in Boston and was cheering to myself in the back of the hall when I heard him say that […]
This is the beginning of a series on arm and hand pain which will include thumb pain, hand pain, finger pain, wrist pain, forearm pain and elbow pain. General physiological considerations will be reviewed that affect all of these conditions and syndromes. As a Neuromuscular Therapist practicing in the Metro West Boston area, I have […]
Here are 6 tips for treating your painful thumb and wrist that I teach in my Neuromuscular Therapy center near Boston. There are two basic stretches, three tips for self-applied pressure and one strengthening exercise. Stretch for thumb tendonitis (deQuervains tenosynovitis): Enclose your thumb in your fist and cock your wrist till you feel a […]
At my Neuromuscular Therapy clinic near Boston, treatment in the case of Ruby Q. addressed her chronic upper body tension but focused part of each session on the recent acute thumb and wrist pain that was making it difficult for her to work. In the first treatment, all of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles were […]
As a Boston area Neuromuscular Therapist, how do I think about thumb and wrist pain? Thumb and wrist pain tends to come from an old injury or from overuse in an occupation, on a computer with a mouse, playing some musical instruments, or from writing, weeding, painting, crafting, or doing needlework that requires a pincer […]
Ruby Q. was a regular Neuromuscular Therapy patient in my metro-west Boston clinic for stress-related muscle pain in her neck and shoulders. Upper body tension is often the cause of pain in the forearm and hand when there is repetitive stress. (E.Pascarelli, MD) The connection between upper body tension and hand and arm pain is […]
Active Isolated Stretching lengthens and loosens overused muscles so the blood can bring in nutrients, oxygen and healing cells and take away the waste products and chemicals that cause pain. Think of yourself as an athlete with your arms and follow the practice of pre-event stretching. Your muscles need blood to work! Hold your arm […]
When you have pain in your arms and hands, it can be frightening. Knowledge is power. The more you know about your body the less anxious you will be. The more you understand where the pain is coming from, the more confident you will be talking to medical professionals. There are a lot of muscles in […]
Accompanying all poorly understood chronic pain conditions is a considerable amount of anxiety. Thinking catastrophically about what might happen to you is normal. Knowledge is power and action produces results. Learn all you can about your muscles and what you can do to help yourself. Then take action. Learn to treat your own muscles. It can […]
Computer users, chefs, musicians and people who work with their hands are often diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) when the injury is more likely Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Overuse without proper self-care makes them victims of a chronic debilitating injury that can be hard to treat if it isn’t caught and properly treated early. […]