Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries: A Self-Care Program

by Sharon J. Butler

Book Overview

This book offers a complete self-care program for those at risk and those already suffering from one of the most common and most debilitating occupational injuries. Guided by symptom charts, you select the best exercises for the movement patterns required by your work and learn how to restore the range of motion to overworked hands and arms.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572240393
• ISBN13: 9781572240391
• Release Date: April 1996
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Gentle Stretches But Not Enough For The Very Injured

First I would like to say that Sharon Butler's description of how to stretch gently and effectively is fabulous - her book is probably the best resource for stretching available and I actually think everyone who uses a computer should have this book. It is incredible for prevention I think, healing up to a point, and for body awareness in general. However... I want to warn that if you are injured so severely to where you actually can't function (like I was) these stretches are probably not going to be what you need at first & you might be misled into thinking they will cure you. I think that to truly heal yourself from this kind of malady there are two other books that I would say are REQUIRED reading along with this one (ideally, I would recommend reading all 3 at the same time): IT'S NOT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME! by Suparna Damany and Jack Bellis - to understand the problem from many different angles and THE TRIGGER POINT THERAPY WORKBOOK by Clair Davies. This book is amazing! Absolutely amazing because it shows you exactly how to get rid of these things called trigger points (yourself) which are usually at the root of MUCH of the pain and dysfunction of RSI's and Carpal Tunnel. He even says that if you have active trigger points, stretching of any kind can actually do more harm than good. I found this to be true, and it looks like some other readers have as well. Once you have those other two books, Sharon Butler's would be the 3rd I'd recommend (and I think it is essential). I also at a certain point got her online book for healing the thumb injury called DeQuervain's (she has a 6-week stretching program aimed at different injuries) and I thought it was even better for me than CCTS because it was geared towards my particular unremitting problem. Oh, be warned that if you do get one of her online book one of your first assignments in the program is to order a particular CD. Some might find this irksome, having just purchased a book - but mostly I was just glad to be given such a good program for stretching. I do recommend both this book as well as her online programs. Well, good luck. Take this SERIOUSLY and save your hands. Go to Barnes and Noble and look through these books there if you're not ready to buy them - but INFORM yourself from all angles because otherwise this can become an incredibly serious problem.

Pretty great relief for me

After 3 years of suffering RSI from working at a PC, I was desperate, and had tried regular medicine, and even acupuncture (this last, I'm still on, and it works) but the best relief I have found was from the series of exercises found on this book. From upper-body to hand-fingers, this book (Comprised of mostly full-page illustrations) helps you relieve the symptons of your RSI. I can't say I don't have any pain anymore, but I can say it has greatly reduced, and improving.There is little text in this book, dealing mostly with how you should do the repetitions and how to avoid further injury, then it is right ot the action with the diagrams and instructions for every exercise.If you have an RSI try this book, and also check for your posture while working, seating, and standing. I have a great non-commercial link about this for you, write me if you want it.Health and peace to you.

80% Improved in Three Days

I am a technical writer and have been working at a computer daily for almost twenty years. I developed carpel tunnel syndrone in 1996. My right hand would get numb and prevent me from sleeping at night. I also experienced some pain and discomfort during the day. I wore a brace on my right hand with minimal results. After buying this book, I started taking it with me to work. I merely did some of the stretches for three days in a row and suddenly, I was 80% improved. No longer does my hand get numb at night. From time to time, I do some of the neck stretches and they seem to keep the problem under control. My dramatic improvement seemed to me to be a miracle.

Excellent - Highly Recommended treat yourself programme

I found this book a great help with a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and a variety of other hand/arm aches and pains. My CTS is virtually gone and my other problems are significantly better - and still improving. I loaned the book to a friend who has had similar results.I particulary appreciated the non-technical approach (shame about the title which does not make it obvious that you don't need to be a health professional to understand and use the info in the book).I got best results combining the techniques in this book with the ones in Bonnie Prudens, Myotherapy and a little bit of gentle muscle building (especially of the muscles that open the hands).I heartily recommend this book.

Book replaced anti-inflammatories and gave me my life back.

Carpal Tunnel and related stress injuries struck me in mid-August and left me practically helpless for nearly 3 months. After 3 days of doing the stretching exercises in Butler's book, I was back to doing simple activities and completely off the high dosages of anti-inflammatories recommended by my doctor. I cannot recommend this book too highly. The exercises are super simple and can be done throughout the day whenever you have a moment - in front of the TV, while laying in bed, in the car at a stoplight. The exercises deal with the entire upper body, including arms and wrists. You can choose those appropriate to you and your activities. If you are not sure, Butler has a list of which exercises apply to certain lines of work. An excellent - and inexpensive - book.