Chair Massage for Nerve Entrapment Syndrome

Chair massage is helpful for a variety of conditions, including those caused by poor posture and repeated stress and strain.  These injuries are found within all facets of the working population, affecting office workers and physical laborers alike.  Painful ailments such as Nerve Entrapment Syndrome can interfere with normal work function. Treatments vary by severity, and include prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, steroids and surgery.  Offering a workplace massage can treat these issues without requiring recovery time or causing a rise in sick days.

Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (NES) is commonly referred to as a pinched nerve and can cause moderate to severe pain.  It is a condition caused by undue pressure on nerves and nerve roots by muscles, tendons, soft tissue, fascia or ligaments.  Pain can be localized to the affected area or outwardly radiating.  The area served by the impinged nerve can feel weakened, numb, and can experience a tingling or twitching sensation.  

The causes of NES include a primary injury to muscles and tendons such as whiplash and similar trauma caused by overstretching, with muscles becoming tightened and swollen, putting excess pressure on the nerves around them.  Another contributing factor is the over development of a certain muscle group working in conjunction with a weakened or underdeveloped muscle group.  This can lead to a postural disruption pattern, an example being the forward slumping of the shoulders, neck and head resulting from underdeveloped muscle groups in the front of the body working less efficiently than properly developed muscles of the back.  Over time, the stronger muscle groups become strained from overuse, causing tearing, which subsequently leads to the development of scar tissue and adhesions.  Scar tissue is denser and weaker than normal tissue, restricting muscle function and causing tension that “traps” nerves. 

Workplace chair massage techniques are helpful in releasing tension and breaking up scar tissue and adhesions that contribute to NES.  Myofascial Release and Deep Tissue Massage can be performed in tandem with Muscle Energy techniques to delicately lengthen muscle tissues while releasing tension and adhesions in the affected area.  Neuromuscular and Trigger Point Therapy remove myofascial trigger points, helping to release the trapped nerve.  Improved circulation and lymph drainage are benefits of chair massage therapy and are important in the reduction and healing of scar tissue.  Improved blood flow brings much-needed nutrients to the area, which supports the renewal of cells and tissue, while lymph drainage removes toxins.  A short workplace massage can have immediate and lasting results without causing a disruption in workflow.