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Contact:
Active Therapeutics
Mark DeJohn - 541.948.0993
mark@activebend.com
www.activebend.com

Non-surgical Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Keeps Workers on the Job
by Mark DeJohn

Repetitive motion and/or over-exertion are responsible for nearly one-third of occupational injuries and illnesses, costing industry $15-20 billion annually in workers’ compensation. Total estimated costs to industry exceed $50 billion.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) takes workers off the job more days on average than any other work-related repetitive injury. Workers sidelined by CTS miss a median of 25 days of work, compared to 17 days for fractures and 20 days for amputations. After counting medical bills and lost work time, the lifetime cost of CTS is estimated at $30,000 per injured worker.

It is no wonder the phrase ‘Carpal Tunnel Syndrome’ strikes fear in the heart of many a small manufacturer. While Carpal Tunnel Release surgery takes only 10-15 minutes in an outpatient setting, recovery is painful and requires several weeks of hand rehabilitation. In severe cases, workers may be permanently disabled, preventing a return to work or requiring job reassignment.

Fortunately, a promising non-surgical treatment is available. Clinical results show that Active Release Techniques (ART) offer a 90% success rate. ART addresses the underlying etiology of CTS and other cumulative trauma disorders that cause numbness, tingling, burning and aching. The cost is comparable to therapeutic massage or physical therapy.

When properly performed by a certified practitioner, ART locates the injured tissue, working it back to its normal texture, tension, and length using various hand positions and soft tissue manipulation methods. The treatment itself can be uncomfortable, as it is important to reproduce the symptoms during treatment to ensure the correct soft tissue structures are being addressed. But patients typically see significant improvements after only a few sessions.

A full treatment regimen requires three to four weeks of treatment, starting three times a week and tapering to twice a week. Stretching and strengthening exercises are also prescribed, and most patients will need some maintenance two or three times a year. Altogether, the cost of treatment ranges from $500 to $1000, far less than the estimated $30,000 in medical bills and lost work time associated with surgery.

Some insurance carriers treat ART as physical therapy, while others treat it as massage. Because of the non-invasive nature of the treatment, ART can be performed at the job site, reducing down-time for both workers and employers. The treatment is most common in Colorado, where Dr. Michael Leahy began developing ART in 1985. ART providers undergo rigorous study and testing procedures to earn certification in Nerve Entrapment, Biomechanics, Spine, and Upper & Lower Extremities. Locally, ART is available at Active Therapeutics in Bend.