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Hi All:What I REALLY like about this board is the range of topics. It's not often I get to answer paramedic type questions anymore (I'm still a certified EMT-P), but I'll give it a shot. REMEMBER, I'm no Doctor (this advice is purely for entertainment purposes only), but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night (REALLY, I did!). The following is only OPINION :The "Carpal Tunnel" is a bony, narrow passage where the hand and wrist meet on the same side of the palm. The median nerve and tendons pass through this tunnel to the thumb, index, and middle fingers. "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" (CTS) is caused by repetitive and stressful hand motions without variation or relief. This stresses the tendons, causing them to swell, pressing the nerve against the bone. In other words, PAIN!CTS, in early stages, is really no different then common tendonitis. Stop re-injuring the site and the symptoms will go away. If re-injury is common, scar tissue develops causing permanent pressure on the nerve. This condition usually requires surgery.Now, what about a hot tub? Well, as Chas indicated, hot water can be good. It loosens connective tissue (muscle and tendons) by easing contractility. If the water is hot enough, it also opens blood and lymph vessels meaning the vascular fluid (clear stuff) gets "third spaced" (flows into the area between the cells and "hangs out") meaning concentrated swelling in tendons (caused by the same fluid) will be reduced. Wrist pressure massage jets can assist with this because the hundreds or thousands of "water hammers" that hit the affected area reduce muscle contractility by relaxation and concentrating heat against tissue.Now, here's the catch. If this is done in more advance stages of CTS, or when the symptoms are very fresh, the opposite effect can occur. To an extent, heat causes an initial increase in swelling (especially if the water is not "hot" enough to cause "third spacing") meaning that increased pain could occur. COLD, in the form of ice in a towel, is probably the BEST initial treatment. Motrin, for pain and anti-inflammatory use, will also help. Follow up with the hot tub after several hours for longer term relief. Advanced CTS patients will probably feel no better from hot tub wrist jets, especially after recent stressing of the CTS wrist. Borderline CTS cases WILL benefit from continued use, BUT the BEST treatment is preventing the pattern of injury.Again, I'd suggest talking to an Orthopedist for the best advice, but you got my 2 cents...Drewski
Thanks, nice response all!A doctor told him he was a little too young for surgery, he is not old but he is 40 so I am not sure sure that's too young. He also told him to wear a wrist brace at night. I told him, forget at night, wear it while your working doing all the damage, maybe prevent it. I'd like the tub to benefit him in some way since he has been doing it all just for me, (or to shut me up Hee hee, I'd just like to see him get something from it too.
I'm thinking the only real solution is to win the lotto and hang in the hot tub