Upper Extremity NErve Entrapment Syndromes

Course overview

Assessing and treating nerve entrapment conditions can be intimidating for massage therapists. This intensive seminar provides training in understanding and assessing possible nerve entrapment conditions and having the confidence to safely decide when massage interventions are appropriate, and when the client needs to be referred to another practitioner. This course extensively reviews the major nerve pathways of the upper extremity, including the most common nerve entrapment sites for the brachial plexus, and the median, ulnar and radial nerve, reviews basic neural assessment tests, including Adsons test for scalene and first rib involvement, Edens test for costoclavicular syndrome, Wrights test for pectoralis minor syndrome, ulnar tunnel tests, and median nerve tests for pronator teres syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Nerve glides are incorporated to enhance assessment of the median, ulnar, and radial nerve. This seminar includes demonstration and extensive supervised practice in the application of effective soft-tissue interventions, including pin and stretch, transverse friction, and facilitated stretching, to help alleviate these conditions. At the end of this seminar, therapists will have the knowledge and practical experience necessary to identify, assess, and treat the most common entrapment syndromes of the upper extremity, leading to better treatment outcomes, happier clients, and a more profitable practice.