Carpal Tunnel Accupuncture Treatment

Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the only treatment that reduces Carpal Tunnel syndrome effectively within minimum time. Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is a natural injury caused by a sudden pinched nerve in the wrist. This often results into growing pain and numbness in the index fingers, middle fingers and weakness of the thumb. The very disease "carpal tunnel syndrome" derives its name from organs called "carpals" in the hand that forms a tunnel in the body through which the nerve leads on to the extended hands.

Carpal tunnel syndrome explanations suggest that numbness in the thumbs and the first two fingers results from a disorder caused in the median nerve. Sometimes due to some natural obstacles, the median nerve gets acutely trapped in a channel near the wrist called "carpal tunnel". The disease is also characterized by pain extending up to the forearm, coldness in the fingers and a paralyzing sensation in the hands and arms.

This syndrome is more common amongst physicians as "pins and needles paresthesias" also sometimes called as "dysesthesia" which means an unpleasant sensation.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include frequent irritation in the hands. However, following are the other symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms:

1. Feeling of paralysis in the hands and fingers

2. Both daytime and nighttime painful tingling of hands followed by decreased ability to squeeze almost anything

3. Fingers get swollen suddenly

4. Loss of strength in the muscle at the base of the thumb near palm

5. Pain shooting rapidly from your hand up to the arms and even to the shoulder

Carpal tunnel syndrome treatments

Acupuncture detox carpal tunnel syndrome so it is very essential for treating CTS. It restores normal nerve functions and provides long-term relief from pain and irritation associated with CTS. The acupuncturist practitioners insert needles on those points along the meridians where "qi" or energy gets blocked. For treating CTS, the insertions are mainly done in the meridians situated along the liver, kidney and gall bladder. These points are stimulated by traditional needle insertions, and heat/ pressure applications. Once the stored energy starts getting distributed, CTS gets cured faster.

To reduce carpal tunnel syndrome you can also use various medicinal herbs in between the acupuncture sessions. You can use herbs like cramp bark [Viburnum opulus], St. John’s wort [Hypericum perforatum] and wild yam [Dioscorea villosa]. These herbs are available as dried extracts [pills, tablets and capsules], tinctures [alcohol extraction] and teas. Mix them in a cup of tea and have it three times a day to experience faster cures.

Find all about Acupuncture detox carpal Tunnel syndrome and Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms on LeanderNet

By Oliver Turner
Published: 10/11/2006

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel in Wrist

Carpal Tunnel Treatment

Carpal Tunnel Treatment involves measures taken after preliminary tests, via physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery to reduce the pressure, pain and swelling in and around the carpal tunnel.

CTS or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is now addressed by the medical fraternity in a number of ways. The Carpal Tunnel Treatment options include special carpal tunnel exercises, carpal tunnel surgery and the use of splints, recommended by specialists with extensive experience in the caring of patients diagnosed with the condition. The CTS or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be well addressed by teams of clinical specialists like orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Once the condition is carefully diagnosed, the practitioner determines and defines the proper treatment. The Carpal Tunnel Treatment is according to the stage of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is usually after a physical examination by the doctor to identify the condition.
new carpal tunnel treatments
There are a number of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome nerve tests that are designed around the confirmation of the diagnosis and to rule out other causes. The course of action adopted by most practitioners begins with the physical examination and the location of the source of the symptoms. One indication is the numbness in the fingers, usually excluding the little finger. This is due to the fact that the median nerve that is affected in the condition not providing sensation to this finger. The initial Carpal Tunnel Treatment involves the physician test to check the feeling in the fingers and the strength of the hand muscles.

The physician applies pressure on the median nerve, at the wrist by bending, tapping or simply pressing on the nerve. The reaction is what determines and confirms the condition. In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, the physician would also recommend a nerve test to study nerve conduction. This is done to find out whether the electrical impulses traveling along the median nerve are in any way slowed down within the carpal tunnel. An electromyogram is also recommended to check for loss of ‘nerve supply’. The Carpal Tunnel Treatment begins as soon as the condition is defined and the condition of ‘mimic carpal tunnel syndrome’ is eradicated.

These carpal tunnel exercises and carpal tunnel surgery options are given by the doctor after all the tests are conducted and a comprehensive report of the same is available for scrutiny. There are rheumatologists and hand surgeons also involved in the treatment of CTS or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The treatment options are recommended primarily to reduce the resultant swelling and pressure on the median nerve. In most cases, carpal tunnel syndrome physiotherapy treatment immediately relieves the pain and numbness. The carpal tunnel treatment exercises include wrist and hand movements that are designed to restore the normal function of the wrist and hand, without pain or swelling.

The carpal tunnel treatment could include the use of splints or braces and anti-inflammatory drugs. In extreme cases of CTS or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, cortisone injections or carpal tunnel surgery is advised. In the beginning, the pain or numbness is effectively treated with simple exercises like shaking the hand. This reduces the pressure on the median nerve. However, if the symptoms get any worse, then the use of drugs and surgery is advised according to the stage diagnosed. It is important to first define the symptoms of CTS or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and not mix them up with that of the numbness or tingling that is common to sleep positions that often hyperextend or hyper flex the wrist. This also results in the pinching of the median nerve.

Special carpal tunnel exercises include therapy heat treatments and massages to alleviate the discomfort and effectively avoid the strain on the wrist. The use of a splint in carpal tunnel treatment keeps the wrist in a neutral position. The drugs used in the treatment include non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain caused by swelling of the carpal tendons. Injecting cortisone also provides relief. Carpal Tunnel Surgery involves cutting the roof ligament of the carpal tunnel, either by endoscopic or open procedure. Endoscopic surgery implies the use of a tiny television camera to observe the carpal tunnel and perform the surgery through small incisions.

By Gaynor Borade
Published: 1/21/2008

Repetitive Stress Injuries and Dentistry

One profession with a large occurrence of repetitive stress injuries (RSI) is dentistry. This is due to the fine motor skills required to perform the tasks necessary for the job. This situation can occur for dentists and dental hygienists as they are constantly performing repetitive tasks on their patients.

pain in top of wrist

Not only the repetitive wrist and hand movements, but the awkward body positioning required to perform the tasks can also exacerbate this problem. However, there are some preventative measures that dental career professional can take to alleviate these issues.

Many experts agree that the key to reducing stress in the work environment includes

· avoiding as much as possible the repetitive tasks, award body positioning, and hand movements

· performing stretching exercises at regular times

· taking frequent breaks

There are also certain equipment and procedure issues that also need to be addressed. Studies have found that the prolonged use of ambidextrous latex examination gloves, which were originally developed for brief examinations, can exert extra pressure against the thumb when the hand is in a working position. This fatigues the thumb muscles and constricts the blood supply. Therefore, it is more appropriate for dental personnel who wear latex gloves for long periods to use right and left-handed gloves.

Dental tool design can also play a factor in the avoidance of repetitive injuries and other cumulative trauma disorders in dental care. Of the three general types of handpieces, a straight-nose cone handpiece produces the most strain on the wrist and produces the greatest vibration to the joints while Autoclavable contra-angle handpieces and prophy-angle handpieces are more ergonomically designed and therefore results in less pressure on the wrist and fingers.

Dental hygiene procedures can also result in carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. Scientific research has found that dental hygienists who spend a large percentage of their time doing scaling and root planning are more likely to develop these types of injuries.

Dental assistants can also exhibit repetitive stress symptoms as they are also required many times to assume awkward body positions and are frequently moving system cords and hoses which exert continuous pressure on the shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers. In order to reduce the likelihood of this occurring, good body mechanics, correct seating and ergonomic design of the office equipment can reduce this problem.

Article written by George WIlliams for Repetitve Injuries.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Do You Have It?

Carpal tunnel syndrome reached epidemic proportions in the 90’s and has now achieved a status equaling pandemic proportions in the 21st century. With carpal tunnel syndrome having such devastating effects on millions of people each year, how do you know if you or someone you know has it?

With so much attention and hype the past 10-years concerning carpal tunnel syndrome in the workplace, you would think that a clear-cut picture would exist regarding the ‘how’s’ ‘why’s’ and ‘what is it’s’ of carpal tunnel. Although carpal tunnel syndrome should be easily recognizable with such extensive media exposure, you would be amazed at how many people, including a lot of doctors, who do not recognize the symptoms or misdiagnose it as something other than carpal tunnel syndrome.

In order to provide a more clear picture of what carpal tunnel is, why and how it develops and what can be done to eliminate it, I have provided information below to explain the process so that you can better identify and therefore prevent carpal tunnel syndrome from taking over your life.

What is the Carpal Tunnel?

The carpal tunnel is a passageway in which the nine flexor tendons, median nerve, arteries, blood and lymphatic vessels pass through in order to supply function and movement to the fingers and wrist.

The carpal bones line the carpal tunnel on the posterior surface (backside) of the wrist with the transverse carpal ligament positioned on the anterior (front side) of the wrist. The size of the carpal tunnel is about the size of the index finger in diameter, and the flexor tendons, arteries and nerves glide past one another with ease in a carpal tunnel that has not decreased in size.

How Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Develop?

Because the finger and wrist muscles are constantly overused in one-way movement patterns, (Gripping, squeezing, typing, etc.) a "muscle imbalance" develops, causing the carpal bones to shift, in turn, making the carpal tunnel smaller and impinging the structures within, resulting in painful and debilitating symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Tingling

Numbness

Paresthesia (Pins & needles)

Loss of grip-strength / coordination

Sensations involving tightness, discomfort, stiffness and pain on the front side of the hand and wrist may be present in carpal tunnel, but may also be symptoms of a general repetitive strain injury.

The only true telltale signs of carpal tunnel syndrome that you need to be aware of affect the thumb, index, middle and sometimes one-half of the ring finger. (All of the fingers and symptoms listed do not have to be experienced simultaneously for you to have carpal tunnel syndrome.)

If you have symptoms in your entire ring and/or little finger and your doctor tells you that you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you don’t! The ULNAR nerve supplies function to the ring and little finger and has nothing to so with carpal tunnel syndrome. (If the ring and/or little fingers are affected, it may either be Cubital Tunnel Syndrome or Guyon’s Syndrome)

How Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Eliminated?

Carpal tunnel syndrome can quickly and easily be eliminated by performing a good stretch and exercise program that addresses the existing muscle imbalance that is the cause of carpal tunnel in most cases.

Staying Symptom-Free:

Knowing why carpal tunnel syndrome develops and what to look for is the key to keeping your hands healthy. With the information provided above you should now be able to recognize the disabling symptoms and take the steps necessary in order to stop it before it stops you!

By: Jeff P. Anliker, LMT –

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, is a Therapist and Inventor of Therapeutic Exercise Products that are utilized by Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world. Balance Systems, Inc.

Repetitive Stress Injury

All About Repetitive Strain Injury

Repetitive strain injury is an all too common problem that many people are actually quite unfamiliar with.

Also referred to as repetitive stress injury, this type of affliction is a result of the overuse of certain body parts while undergoing some type of constant much activity. As an example, someone who plays a musical instrument may begin to develop RSI.

With repetitive strain injuries, the muscles and the tendons that are located in the arms and the back are aggravated due to prolonged overuse. This particular disorder is associated with many different names, but the bottom line is that the pain can become chronic and if not treated and corrected can be difficult to cure.

Another common type of activity or occupational related activity where repetitive stress injury if frequently found is with assembly line workers. Because of the nature of the repetitiveness of their job, these people tend to be affected the most by this disorder.

Companies can adjust work environments and take measures to eliminate repetitive strain injuries with their employees by encouraging and educating their workforce on the use of proper posture, along with ensuring that stressful movements only occur for short times with regular breaks.

For those who are already afflicted with a case of RSI, stretching and strengthening the area of the body affected can go a long way toward the elimination of the pain.

There are many different types of repetitive stress injuries. Probably the most familiar being that of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Repetitive stress injury is a grouping type of condition that also includes Tendonitis, DeQuervain’s syndrome, as well as many other different individualized afflictions.

If you think that you may be experiencing some form of repetitive stress injury, it’s important for you to speak with your doctor.

Symptoms include recurring pain in a localized area of your body that you commonly use. Tingling or numbness in an area of your body that you regularly use may also be a warning sign that you should sooner rather than later.

Also, the muscles of the affected area may feel fatigued, and you may also find that you have a lack of strength present. It’s also important to note that these types symptoms in and of themselves don’t necessarily mean that the problem lies in the area where you are experiencing pain or numbness. As a case in point, a numbness of the hand may be the result of pinched nerves in your shoulder.

Since there are many different types of RSI, there are many different treatments used to relieve the specific symptoms. Options include physical therapy that directed at helping you to strengthen the area that is afflicted.

Immediate and temporary relief from RSI can usually be accomplished with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is used to reduce swelling which can reduce pain.

Keeping your body strengthened and flexible is a big key in both prevention and treatment.
Ultimately avoiding prolonged activity of repetitive stressful movements is your best defense against RSI. At the very least you should be vigilant in taking shorter more frequent breaks if your occupation requires this type of activity.

Healing a case of RSI will take patience and persistence on your part in order to make a full recovery, so be sure to put forth your best efforts.

By: Jeff Foster –

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more important information on repetitive stress injury be sure to visit www.rsi-aid.com where you will find advice and tips on repetitive stress injury treatment and repetitive strain injury and more on staying pain free.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery and Other Treatments

Invasive Treatments – Do They Really Work For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

If you have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), you may be wondering – what next? Below you will find information regarding the most common (not the best) treatment options currently in use in the medical industry and their success and failure rates.

If you have received a positive carpal tunnel diagnosis, most doctors will push for cortisone injections and/or surgery, procedures that have poor success rates and ones that should only be performed as a last resort, after all other conservative treatment methods have been utilized.

The following information provides details about what each current procedure entails as well as statistics that reveal why conservative therapy should be implemented over the following invasive treatment methods.

CORTISONE INJECTIONS FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:

Cortisone is medication that treats inflammation only. Often the carpal tunnel pain will subside because the inflammation of the median nerve is reduced from the use of the cortisone, but this is only a temporary effect.

The one main problem with cortisone is that for 21 days following the injection, the tendons have the consistency of rubber and can be seriously overstretched and damaged. This is a common side effect that most doctors fail to tell their patients. If the patient continues overusing and/or stressing their hands and wrists, the tendons can overstretch and cause the structural integrity of the joint to diminish greatly, causing the joint to become loose and sloppy, resulting in an even greater possibility of further injury and damage.

Cortisone can be used wisely as a part of a carpal tunnel treatment program along with the implementation of proper stretches add exercises, the most important tool that can be used to recover from carpal tunnel. If cortisone is utilized, it is good for the patient to take this time, when the carpal tunnel is not inflamed, to be on a conservative therapy program to correct the existing muscle imbalance in the wrist joint and eliminate the carpal tunnel symptoms for good. The problem is that most doctors give the cortisone shot and the patient goes home and either does nothing, or does too much, causing greater trauma to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and exacerbating the symptoms.

Steroid (Cortisone) Injection Statistic:

*Failure rate (Including "partial success" as failure) is 72.6% after 1-year follow up. Source: Irwin, et al. J Hand Surgery.

SURGERY FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:

Carpal tunnel surgery consists of releasing (severing) the transverse carpal ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. Surgery is utilized to open and widen the carpal tunnel in order to allow more room for the median nerve, artery and nine flexor tendons to move around. There are several surgical procedures that are utilized to achieve this:

Open Release Surgery: A local anesthetic is injected into the wrist and/or hand and a 2-3-inch incision is made in the palm and cuts the carpal ligament free from the underlying median nerve. This operation takes about 20-25 minutes.

‘Mini’ Open Release Surgery: The mini-open release technique involves an incision that is about 1.5 inches long and can be performed in the doctor’s office with only a local anesthetic. The operation takes only about 12 minutes.

Endoscopic Release Surgery: The Endoscopic technique is less invasive and uses involves one or two .5′ inch long incisions in the wrist and or palm, and one or two endoscope (pencil-thin) tubes are inserted. A tiny camera and a knife are inserted through these lighted tubes. While observing the carpal ligament on a television monitor, the surgeon cuts the ligament to free the compressed median nerve.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery Statistics:

*’Only 23% of all Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients were able to return to their previous professions following surgery.’ Source: NIOSH

*’Carpal tunnel surgery has about a 57% failure rate following patients from 1-day to 6-years. At least one of the following symptoms re-occurred during this time: Pain, Numbness, Tingling sensations.’ Source: Nancollas, et al, 1995. J. Hand Surgery.

CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME:

Conservative therapy is really the only key to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome as well as for the successful recovery and long-term relief of existing carpal tunnel symptoms, even for post-surgery patients that have experienced little relief. Always try conservative therapy first and eliminate future injections and surgical procedures – Try the "Conservative Alternative".

By: Jeff P. Anliker, LMT –

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, is a Therapist and Inventor of Therapeutic Exercise Products that are utilized by Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities around the world. Balance Systems, Inc.

Tennis Elbow Remedys

Treating Tennis Elbow Condition
by: Sharon Hopkins 7eb

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Tennis elbow is also known as ‘lateral epicondylitis’. Contrary to popular belief, playing tennis is not the only cause for tennis elbow. In fact, people who suffer from this problem have hardly played the game. In this condition the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and tender. The pain causes the movements of the elbow to be constrained. Simple actions such as lifting, gripping and carrying become difficult. One of the strongest reasons for this condition is the overuse of muscles i.e. the muscles which pull the hand backwards (the wrist extensors). Over straining causes an inflammation that may be swollen, painful and tender. Injury to the arm can be another reason for inflammation. Tennis elbow is mainly caused when some activities like gripping, twisting, reaching and moving are done in an improper manner or an awkward position, repetitive stress, excess force and no time for recovery provided for the wear and tear.

Some of the movements which can be restricted or can avoid repetitiveness are continuous rotation of the forearm and bending of the wrist, gripping in a stressful position by combining inward and outward movement of the forearm, throwing motions and gestures that strike objects with hand.

Common symptoms to be aware when affected by tennis elbow

Your forearm suffers recurring pain on the outside of the upper forearm.
The pain is branched out from the arm towards the wrist.
Pain while lifting or bending the arm.
Pain while grasping small and light objects could be sign of concern.
Trouble or discomfort while extending the arm.
Pain which lasts for 6 to 12 weeks or even more.

Common tips to remember

-Resting is one of the best solutions to treat this problem
-You can use braces which are available in various sports shop. It is very helpful in relieving pain from tennis elbow problem.
-Try to lift objects with your palm facing your body.
– Being aware of the problem and treating it immediately
-Use machines instead of your hands to avoid any repetition
-Allow job rotations for everyone to get used to different muscles
-Use ergonomically designed tools that prevent strain on your hands.

Home remedies for Tennis Elbow

For the inflamed elbow you can use ice compress which helps in decreasing the pain. Ice helps in slowing down the local metabolism, thus helps in relieving pain and muscle spasm.

Use massage therapy.

Do your regular stretching exercises to prevent any kind of friction to your forearms. The stretching helps in strengthening the forearms.

Some exercises you can do to help strengthen your muscles. With the palm facing the ceiling, place your forearm on a desk with the wrist tucked over the edge. Grip any heavy object like a hammer or a two-pound juice can. Lift your hand up and down by moving your wrist, repeat this 20 times. Do this with the both the arms.

Warm and baked potato applied to the elbow can help relief the pain of tennis elbow.

Acupuncture can be used for treating tennis elbow problem. As it stimulates nervous system and also releases pain-relieving endorphins.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

About The Author

Sharon Hopkins, the webmaster of various sites such as http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com helps you in your daily life with its simple and easy home care remedies. Tennis Elbow problem occurs when by overstraining of your arms, by simple home remedies and exercises it can be treated.

This article was posted on August 27, 2006

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Causes

Carpal Tunnel Symptoms To Watch For

One things that you will need to watch for when looking into the many different forms of carpel tunnel are those that are known as repetitive stress injuries. Those injuries are caused when a person performs the same range of motions, in the same manner many times a day.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, a repetitive stress injury or RSI, is no longer limited to someone who works at a computer all day. Any activity, such as playing sports or musical instruments, or job that requires a regular repetitive motion or action could cause an RSI. Here you will learn how to watch for symptoms associated with carpal tunnel, and how to avoid them.
The initial symptom you will probably experience when afflicted with this condition is a tingling sensation in each of your hands. A lot of people say it feels as though ‘pins and needles’ are pricking them. Many people also report feeling this in their wrist and hand area, particularly in the digits. Some individuals also experience the sensation in their forearms, often on the inside of the arm on the same side as the thumb. It likely affects thumbs, index fingers and middle fingers. Though rare, in extreme cases, people may also feel it in their palms. This is because the wrist’s median nerve, located close to the ‘tunnel,’ is being compressed, which delays and interferes with the signals for that specific nerve.
The next symptom that you should watch for is weakness in the hand and the wrist. There are several muscles that run along the arm, in the wrist, and in the hand. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome due to repetitive stress injuries, it is quite likely that the inflammation as a result of these injuries affect the muscles and/or there is compression in the muscles as well. This may cause the muscles to become weak. In addition to this, if there is compression on the muscles it is likely that the muscle is not getting the necessary oxygen and circulation. This means that you may find that there is actual numbness in the wrist, as well as the hands in general.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a complicated condition that can result in a number of symptoms. The symptoms mentioned so far are among the most common symptoms that one may experience. There are other symptoms, such as:
1. You may be unable to grasp items as well as you used to.
2. You might discover that you experience the sensation that your hand is falling asleep.
3. You may experience pain or soreness in the forearm between hand and elbow.
There could be feeling of stiffness in the area of fingers and wrist.
The easiest motions like closing the zipper on your purse, or starting your car by turning the key can become impossible.
This guide will give you the signs to watch out for if you think that you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. If your symptoms fit the descriptions, then consider a consultation with a medical professional. They will make the official diagnosis and you can decide where to proceed from there.

By: Frank Barnett

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Of course, the easiest way to avoid most forms of carpal tunnel syndrome is often to simply upgrade your workstation. If you’re tired of the one-size-fits-all equipment that came with your computer, visit Ergonomic Resources today!

Excercise and prevention of repetitive stress injuries

How to Avoid Overuse of the Achilles Tendon in Sports and Ballet

One of the too-common dance injuries is that of the Achilles tendon. Runners and other athletes in sports training also suffer some overuse inflammation, and even rupture of the Achilles tendon.

This tendon depends on muscle strength in the calf and the foot, to retain proper use. Following are some self-care tips that will help you avoid overuse and injury of your Achilles tendons, and encourage courageous patience in better rehabilitation.

Tendonitis is all too-prevalent in dance injuries and sports injuries. In fact, when someone says "I have tendonitis" it usually refers to the Achilles tendon, without being explained, it is that common. Inflammation, or "itis" can occur in any area of the body. The Achilles tendon comes from the lower end of the calf muscles, and inserts, or is attached, to the heel bone. The calf muscles above, and the intrinsic foot muscles below, are supposed to do all the actual work in moving the foot flexed, or extended (pointed, in ballet).

If the foot can flex and stretch without changing its angle (curving outward, or sickling out in ballet, or curving inward, sickling in or ‘pigeon toes’), in most cases the tendon will not get irritated. This is presuming that when you are standing on an even surface, the foot is not sloping inward, what people think of as "fallen arches", or is not sloping outward toward the little toe edge of the foot.

Runners and other athletes often work on uneven surfaces and depend on both strength and supportive shoes to minimize the variation in foot angle as it strikes the ground or pushes off. Ballet dancers absolutely depend on foot strength to prevent misuse, as they do not generally wear supports in their ballet shoes and pointe shoes. If needed, however, orthotics, or foot levelers, can be worn in dance shoes.

If a dancer or athlete has bowed legs, or hyper-extended legs, there will be an angle created just to have the feet flat on the floor. If this situation is understood, the student can be taught how to avoid inflammation of the Achilles tendon through understanding, and correction of, or accurate compensation for, this particular anatomical detail.

Correcting the stance of hyper-extended legs by stacking the skeletal joints (ankles, knees, hips and on up) and holding turnout, will correct the natural pronation (fallen arches) of the feet on the floor. Sometimes this is not even visible to a glance in dancers, due to a strong built-up muscle structure that is deceptive. Even chiropractors and physiotherapists have to test dancers’ muscles extensively, in order not to miss this observation, until they gain experience with it.

As more and more athletes are studying ballet principles of turnout and footwork to gain an extra advantage in their performance, and prevent sports injuries, hopefully the area of hyper-extension will also be addressed.

Bowed legs require an angle of the foot, for it to be flat on the floor. In ballet, correct use of turnout, developing the intrinsic foot muscles, and always having the body weight placed correctly on the feet (hyper-extension and bowed legs tend to throw the weight back) minimizes the overuse and irritation of the Achilles tendon.

Both ballet dancers and athletes need the understanding that poorly developed foot muscles lead to exhausting the calf muscles. This in turn creates tension, loss of muscle tone and strength, and the Achilles tendon develops tendonitis.

Once inflammation has set in, rest, and icing must be applied. A courageous patience is needed in recovery, as the pressure to stay in the daily competitive drive for a an upcoming exam, performance or team try-out, must be resisted. You long term persistence in your chosen field depends on avoiding a chronic situation.

Ballet, dance, and sports injuries can be prevented. If you are a pre-pro, a would-be ballerina, a dedicated recreational dancer or athlete, study all you can about how to avoid overuse and injury of your Achilles tendon.

Find out how a would-be ballerina and men in ballet get exactly the right fit in ballet shoes and pointe shoes, prevent dance injuries, get The Perfect Pointe Book, The Ballet Bible, and Deborah Vogel’s products on injury prevention and functional anatomy. Dianne M. Buxton trained at The National Ballet School of Canada, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and Toronto Dance Theater.

By Dianne Buxton
Published: 8/5/2008

Elbow Pain

Elbow pain can cause a lot of discomfort. Read on for more information on elbow pain.

The room was quiet and John lay on his side watching television. As he got up and began tidying the bed to go to sleep he felt an excruciating pain in his elbow. Taken by surprise, he sat down on the bed and touched the area and found that it was swollen. He sat in the same place for several minutes trying to recall where he could have hurt his elbow. Not able to recall a thing, he went into the kitchen and rubbed some ice over the spot, hoping that the pain and swelling would subside!

elbow pain and numb fingers

What the factors that cause elbow pain?

There are many factors that can cause pain in the elbow, with one of them being tendinitis, which is an injury and inflammation that is caused to the tendons. Most of the people who are at risk of developing elbow pain are those who play racquet sports. The term given to the injury caused because of the above is termed tennis elbow. Of course gardening, using a screwdriver, playing baseball and overusing your wrist may also be the cause of elbow tendinitis.

Apart from the causes mentioned above, a few other factors that contribute to the pain in the elbow are:

Strain in the elbow
Any type infection that occurs in the elbow
Arthritis – This term refers to the narrowing of the joint space as also the loss of the cartilage in the elbow.
Bursitis – In this case, there is an inflammation of a fluid-filled cushion that is located underneath the skin.

What are the symptoms associated with elbow pain?

Pain, numbness, swelling, tingling and weakness or changes in the color or temperature are some of the common symptoms of elbow pain.

Can I reduce the elbow pain at home?

Yes, you can reduce the pain in the elbow at home. Here are some steps to help you reduce the pain.

Apply ice by wrapping it in a cloth for about 15 minutes every hour on the first day you notice the pain. Continue applying ice for up to 3 days while increasing the number of hours for e.g. use the application every 3 to 4 hours after the first day.
Once that is done, wrap the elbow with a bandage. You can also use an air splint to prevent using the elbow.
If possible, keep your elbow elevated above you heart and give the elbow rest for at least 2 days. It is advisable that you do not return to the activity that resulted in the problem for about 3 weeks.
Once you find that the pain and swelling has subsided, gradually strengthen the muscles with the help of a physical therapist.

When is it advisable to contact a medical professional?

It is advisable to meet a medical professional if:

The pain does not improve with the above steps.
The elbow cannot be used effectively.
The pain in the elbow is caused because of a direct elbow injury.
The pain in the elbow is accompanied by fever, swelling and redness.
There is deformity.

Can elbow pain be prevented? How?

Yes, you can prevent elbow pain. Follow these steps to prevent elbow pain.

First of all reduce the amount of time you spend in the activity that is the reason for the pain.
Than warm up slowly, by stretching the forearm before as well as during and after the exercise.
While playing use an elbow sleeve and the correct grip size as also racquet strings that are not too tight. If you have already suffered an injury, you could use an elbow band too.
If you have been told to exercise, carry of the regime without fail!

By Rachna Gupta
Published: 1/7/2008