Pain in the Hand

[Acquiescent]

Hi all. I am just getting started in a deep tissue modality at school. Whenever I use my fingers to do deep work it causes some pain in my palms and fingers. I am not sure what I am doing wrong here. I don't have the same pain when I use my heel of hand or soft fist. Any ideas? I am starting to worry because I really like doing this work and I would hate to have to stop.

 

[hungry heart]

Deep work can be very hard on your fingers - I use the heel of my hand, fist, elbows...not my fingers. It isn't worth straining your own hand to relieve someone else's pain. Our instructors warned us about "blowing out the joints" and gave frequent reminders not to put so much pressure on our thumbs or fingers. Just experiment with other methods if your instructors are not showing you any.

 

[Pompal 09.]

the problem for me is that in some places you really must use the fingers to get to the tissue, the neck or supraspinatus. And i've received work from other therapists who use their fingers for QL and diaphagm. I don't see any way around it. Should I be trying to relax more or something?

 

[Brigitte]

I do use my fingers while doing neck work, but never put so much pressure as to hurt my fingers. What does that do to the neck? Ouch! Try slowing down and warming the tissue really good before going deeper. I go deep in layers. Superficial to deep is my rule, and I don't go in deeper until the layers I'm already working have softened and allow me to go deeper.

I use knuckles to work the diaphram, and sometimes my whole fist. QL...mostly I do a MFR style stretch and O&I work, but I have used my fingers to curl under it (standing on the opposite side of the table from the QL I'm working) after it is warmed and allowing the work. Supraspinatus, though..that is superficial. I don't need my fingers, and there isn't a need for much pressure.

 

[Carmen]

I guess I am just trying to go too deep too fast. I keep thinking it should be harder than it is. Silly when you think about it. The deepest wrok happens when the therapist uses less tension in their own body. I have to remember that.

Thanks everyone.

 

[smdiner]

Please try to remember that any new work is essentially a new set of strengths that you need to develop. Doing prolonged deep tissue work with the fingers is no different. Instructing therapists in new techniques, such as a sub-occipital release, even seasoned therapist have a great difficulty holding the proper position for any more than 60 seconds. After a few months of doing this technique regularly, one can easily hold the position for 5-6 minutes. You will strengthen slowly over time. Be easy on yourself in the meantime, rest frequently, traction out the fingers after each session. I would highly recommend doubling up your hands, one over the other with the fingers resting over one another, to add stability and strength. This is a very effective means of lessening the load.

 

[robind]

You will have to build up some muscles. My biggest concern is that you are here instead of utilizing your face to face teachers! You are paying them.... have them watch your body mechanics so you can fix that now, instead of later.

Qi gong is essential too.

 

[simple]

I think it would be good for you to find a therapist who really knows how to work your forearms.

 

[Geo]

hands

Oh the dreaded sub-occip release. Ow!!! I hear that. Here's a great way to ice your hands. Do it in ice WATER. Not just with ice.

I use a large cooler, if I want to ice my whole forearm, but I don't really get injured that much anymore, I do tons of deep work. The advice to alternate digits etc, is sound, but expect to get a bit tweaked in the beggining. Your body is adjusting. You will figure it all out eventually.

When I do the cooler thing, I plop a plastic milk jug filled with water, then frozen solid into the cooler. Let sit for 1/2 hour or more. Put your hand in, or better yet, the whole forearm. lay on the couch with the cooler next to you and watch TV or something, as you will get very bored.

Squeeze a tennis ball while in the water and do flexion, extension, twists, etc. You'll be amazed at the tendon releases you will feel. Pull it out, wrap in a towel, take two aspirin. Do this late at night before bed, not before a session!

I also highly reccommend getting a good steel palm- reinforced wrist brace to wear while sleeping, as people tend to curl their wrists in fetal position while asleep. This helped me greatly when I got injured while in school. I woke up the next morning pain free.

It was a weight lifting injury and it hurt like hell. Doing the above icing saved me to graduate. I figured this out on my own. They didn't teach us this.

(I completely blew out my brachioradialis and common extensor tendon It took 5 years to fully heal. It still teaks a bit now and then. )

Hang in there,

Rob