By Monique Lonner, Director of Soul Yoga Therapy
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the top occupational hazard and the more we text and type the more prevalent it gets. CTS Surgery is the second most common type of surgical intervention – second only to that for back pain.
The Carpal Tunnel is located on the palm side of your wrist. As the name suggests it is an anatomical tunnel made up of 4 wrist bones and a band of fascia (the flexor retinaculum) that connects the base of the thumb and the pinky finger.
The tendons of 9 finger muscles and the median nerve pass through the carpal tunnel. The tunnel is about the size of an olive, and tailored perfectly to house its many contents, not leaving much room for error.
When the tunnel gets compressed by repetitive use or swelling it can be pretty darn painful and debilitating. It can keep us from doing the things we love, including asana practice; downward dog is no fun with carpal tunnel syndrome.
While going to a regular yoga class may not be good for CTS sufferers, yoga therapy practices can be very healing. In fact, 52% of all patients are dissatisfied with CT surgery, whereas 91% of patients are satisfied with non-surgical interventions – like Yoga Therapy!
If you’re a yoga teacher, carpal tunnel sufferer, or know someone that is, this little video can give you some really simple and effective Mudras for healing CTS.
Mudras to Ease and Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
To watch Monique Lonner’s 4 hour workshop on Yoga Therapy for the Hand and Wrist click here!