Re: FLEXTEND FLEXTEND FLEXTEND FLEXTEND $$$$$$$$$$$

In Reply to: Re: FLEXTEND FLEXTEND FLEXTEND FLEXTEND $$$$$$$$$$$ posted by Mandi on December 04, 2003 at 23:24:44:

Mandi,
Very interesting. Sometimes CTS will take a while to improve after pregnancy. I would be interested to know what your motor and sensory latencies were on your Nerve conduction test. Although not perfect, NC test is the gold standard for measuring the severity of CTS. Yours would be a typical history with spontaneous resolution with time after pregnancy, simple therapy stretches, and perhaps some work/ergonomic changes (maternity leave would help too!)

As for "what I do not know" ... I know quite a bit. I have reviewed the Flextend web site in detail. I know that their explanation of why it works is not scientifically sound. CTS is not caused by muscle imbalance in the hand, arm or anywhere else. It is certainly not caused by any collapse or shift of the carpal bones as cleverly diagramed in their website. I could tell you what causes it really, but you could read that youself on reputable, non-commercial web sites like aaos.org and assh.org. They have excellent patient education sections that I would recommend to all, and are totally non commercial.

Simple dorsiflexion wrist stretching exercises have been shown to help control (or "cure" as some would call it) carpal tunnel symptoms. It is very likely the same mechanism by which some of the miracle devices work. No device is necessary simply to do stretches.

I may be wrong, but the "boss" of flextend is indeed not a doctor but a massage therapist. Many of the consultants are non MD types. Perhaps chiropractors, or other alternative practitioners.

Hard science shows CTS is potentially controllable conservatively and curable with surgery. Believe it OR NOT.... If you dont gots CTS surgery aint gonna help you!!!

I am interested about public opinion and thoughts on CTS, conceptions, misconceptions, street lore. Thanks to all for filling me in on their thoughts.

Roger

: Roger,

: Preganacy worsened slight sypmtoms of cts. Was told it would go away. Waited and waited after pregnancy until couldn't hold a cup or tooth brush. Went to WC doctor and had it covered through him. I was positive for CTS, yes. But the tests are not very reliable anyway, so it is not the best way to judge cts either.

: Hope you find the thing for you and your current situation. CTS IS NOT "curable". It is a muscle imbalance that can happen at any time depending on your work or activites.
:
: If you have further questions, feel free to contact one of the doctors at flextend...1-888-274-5444 Judge not what you do not know. :)

:
: Best Wishes,

: Mandi