Ever get a ‘snakebite’ on the playground in elementary school? If you don’t remember getting them, perhaps your siblings do? That twisting of the forearm skin that causes a burning sensation, commonly referred to as a ‘snakebite’, now proves useful in treating common ailments!
According to OSHA, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), wrist tendonitis, and Blackberry Thumb are the most rapidly growing category of reported cumulative injuries. This makes sense, seeing as a majority of the population now spends more than four hours a day in front of a computer, not to mention the hours spent texting or using social media. The movements associated with such activities cause strain on the forearm muscles, which causes the connective tissue (or fascia) to compress the blood vessels and nerves leading to tingling in the fingers, loss of grip strength, and/or pain.
Good news, according to a WELCOA article, the ‘Snakebite Technique’ can be used to reduce or eliminate said tingling and pain, and improve grip strength! So here it is, straight from the source:
“Snakebite Self-Care Technique” process of care:
- Have the person with the symptoms hold their forearm with palm up. Start by gripping both of your hands (right next to each other) around their wrist at the end of their forearm.
- Squeeze to compress the persons forearm with both hands, and slowly twist your hands away from each other, going in opposite directions, for 4 to 8 seconds. Repeat for 1 to 2 repetitions at the same location.
- The subject should slowly open and close their hand while you are doing this to create a muscle pumping action. This helps the forearm muscles to relax, improving blood flow and taking any pressure and stress off of the nerves in the forearm.
- Moving both your hands up the forearm, repeat again for 1 to 2 repetitions for 4 to 8 seconds with each “snakebite,” and keep repeating until you get to the elbow.
- For more restricted or tight areas of the forearm, you may want to complete 1 to 2 extra repetitions before moving up the forearm. Typically, you will complete 6 to 10 repetitions.
- You may also try this from the opposite side of the patient’s forearm.
- If it is elbow tendonitis (Tennis elbow), then repeat the same process starting with their palm down, so their elbow extensor muscles are facing up.
- Perform this technique 2-3 times per week, or as needed based on muscle tightness.
This is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Make sure to contact your physical therapist or primary care physician if you have any questions regarding this self-care technique, or if it doesn’t get rid of your Carpal Tunnel or tendonitis symptoms.
Who knew something so easy, that you’ve probably not done in years, could be so beneficial! If you have Carpal Tunnel, how do you deal with it? Have you tried this before? I’m dying to have someone try it on me! I’ll just have to make sure it isn’t my sister looking for revenge…
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