Arms

Nerve Entrapment – One nerve runs through a muscle on the outside of the elbow and forearm and becomes stuck to this muscle restricting the movement of the nerve sheath. The second nerve passes behind the funny bone on the inside of the elbow. Both nerves can become stretched resulting in the nerve signals travelling down the nerve being interrupted causing a sharp stabbing or shooting pain. The outside nerve causes pain down the outside of the forearm below the elbow which hurts when you turn your palm up. The second nerve causes pain on the inside of the forearm, the palm of the hand on the small finger side the small and ring finger. Treatment would involve Massage and Acupuncture to relieve the adhesions, reduce the pain and promote healing.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury – This involves injury to the ligament that runs down the inner side of the elbow joint connecting the humerus to the ulnar bone. Injury can occur either due to repetitive use of the elbow such as in throwing or due to an impact injury where the elbow is bent outwards. Thus pain can occur after throwing, gradually building in intensity or instantly on impact. Treatment would involve Acupuncture to promote healing and once the swelling and pain had reduced, Massage to ease the tension in the local muscles.

Students Elbow – Also known as Olecranon bursitis, the inflammation and swelling of the bursa (a small pillow of fluid) between the point of the elbow and the skin. Injury occurs after a direct blow to the elbow or, due to resting your elbows on a hard surface repeatedly (when studying). Pain can be felt when leaning on your elbows or when you bend or straighten the elbow. Treatment would involve Acupuncture and Herbal Remedies.

Wrist pain – There is a triangle of fibrous cartilage between the forearm bones and the wrist and can become torn when compressive force is placed on the wrist such as during gymnastics. The wrist can click & when supporting your weight the pain can be felt in the wrist joint. Pain can also be felt when two of the wrist bones rub on each other. This occurs following a fall on an outstretched hand tearing the ligaments that control the two wrist bones. Treatment for both these injuries would involve Acupuncture and Massage to relieve pain & tension within the forearm muscles.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Occurs due to the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel causing pain and loss of function in the hand. This occurs when any of the tendons that pass through the tunnel of bones in the wrist become inflamed and press on the nerve. Again treatment would involve Acupuncture and Massage.

Ligament Injuries to the Fingers or Thumb – This occurs when any one of the finger ligaments becomes overstretched or damaged usually when the finger is bent in the wrong direction. Pain is felt in the finger and is worse when its moved. There is also a specific injury involving the tendons that move the thumb, where they become inflamed due to over-use. Both injuries would be treated with Acupuncture to reduce the pain and increase the body’s own healing process and Massage where possible.