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Clients often report that they experience burning
and swelling around the shoulders, elbows, hands, wrists,
and fingers. The swelling and burning are actually signs of
inflammation within the soft tissue which causes the pain
making the client aware that there is a problem that needs
to be addressed. Most carpal tunnel
and nerve entrapment syndromes have swelling and inflammation
in at least one of these joint areas.
The swelling associated with inflammation contributes
in numerous ways to nerve compression and nerve entrapment.
If the areas that swell are where the bony prominences of
the joints and nerves are close together, then pressure is
put on the nerves causing compression resulting in pain. The
swelling also causes a shortening of the whole muscle resulting
in pressure on both attachments which limits range of motion
and again causes compression of nerve tissue.
This compression causes increased irritation,
inflammation, and swelling which in turn causes increased
compression and further reduces range of motion. Obviously,
the result is a vicious cycle leading to disability. In addition,
the area is extremely sensitive which limits treatment because
of the pain. If the inflammation and
swelling are not addressed quickly and efficiently, the above
cycle progresses and the client’s pain continues to worsen.
One of the first concerns of the therapist is to reduce the
swelling by applying strokes with the venous flow.
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