Customer Reviews

End Your Carpal Tunnel Pain Without Surgery (3rd Edition)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Beginning in 1994, I became affiliated with the Montgomery Method. I have utilized the techniques in hundreds of ergonomic and work injury cases. I have found that the Montgomery Method is effective in not only improving the outcome of repetitive strain disorders, it is a viable, preventable injury program I highly support and recommend.

In her new book, Kate has added a number of self assessment checklists (very helpful), new resources, and more testimonials.

I usually order 25 books or so at a time - so that I can provide a copy to my clients (companies), and to individuals sufferring from work-related carpal tunnel syndrome and/or upper extremity injury.

I have seen wonderful successes in people using the Montgomery Method.


--Steve Thompson
Founder, Workers' Compensation Training Consortium
Principal & Managing Consultant, Thompson Currier

Kate Montgomery has written an exceptional book on the understanding and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and similar repetitive strain injuries.
This second edition of the Montgomery Method presents an orderly, science-based program of self care which will surely empower the ones struggling with these disorders, and just as surely compliment the work of healthcare professionals confronted with these problems.
This book will be a blessing to all those who, in using this method, discover that chronic pain and disability is not a fate to live with, but to overcome.

In my job of illustrating children's books I have suffered crippling carpal tunnel syndrome pain, burning, and weakness in both hands and wrists to the point of not being about to do my work or even pour milk into my tea. For a self-employed artist and writer this is a very frightening occurrence. When I did the exercises described in this book my pain went away the same day! I think Kate Montgomery's method is nothing short of miraculous. I particularly like the accupressure point exercises.

Cynthia Nugent, author of Francesca And The Magic Bike, and Illustrator of Mister Got to Go and Arnie

I've suffered with carpal tunnel syndrome for 18 years.
This book sits on my coffee table like a reference book. I find the procedures difficult to do on my own (symptoms affect both hands - when I massage one hand with the other my massaging hand goes numb!) so my husband is trying to do the massages on my shoulders, arms and hands when he can.
It DOES help my carpal tunnel symptoms, although I'm not totally relieved yet. I believe if we were more diligent with the procedures recommended in the book, I would be healed.
It's definitely worth the $$ to learn about ways to help yourself - it sure beats surgery!

This book means well but is not based on sound medical principles. It freely criticizes other methods ("the failure rate for steroid injection is...about [sic] 75.6% of all patients"; "for surgery...the average failure rate, which is very conservative, is 57%...after 6 years the onset of these symptoms can [sic] reach higher than 90%". No references are given for these "precise" numbers, which are higher than typically quoted values.

In marked contrast, Ms. Montgomery cites no data whatsoever on the success rate of her own trademarked therapy. Instead, the book is well endowed with glowing anecdotal testimonials. Be aware of her methods: she is described as a naturopathic doctor, and holistic health practitioner. She uses hair tissue analysis to evaluate nutrition. She is not a medically trained person.

From the very beginning, this book (like some others) conflates carpal tunnel syndrome with repetitive stress injury. In fact, the cause of carpal tunnel problems is varied, and not always from RSI. For example, the National Institute of Health's Carpal Tunnel Factsheet on its website states: " Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others. Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture; overactivity of the pituitary gland; hypothyroidism; rheumatoid arthritis; mechanical problems in the wrist joint; work stress; repeated use of vibrating hand tools; fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause; or the development of a cyst or tumor in the canal. In some cases no cause can be identified. There is little clinical data to prove whether repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist during work or leisure activities can cause carpal tunnel syndrome."

Check high-quality sources on the Internet, and evaluate the likely benefit of various treatments before proceeding with recommendations from a source of this kind.

In 2001, After visiting chat lines and seeing many people who had poor long time success rates with surgery, I tried Kate Montgomery's method. At that time, I had suffered excruciating wrist pain for 4 months. I couldn't rotate my wrist, pick up an item that weighed just a few ounces without severe pain. I was wearing a wrist brace all day long, just to get through the day.

Within a few days, of using Kate's methods, I found immediate relief. The book suggests good, common sense solutions that relieve the pressure on the nerve immediately. For example, I was sleeping with my hand bent at the wrist, sometimes pressed against my face and woke up during the night with a numb hand or with a sharp pain. The book suggests wearing the brace and night and allowing movement during the day.

The exercises she gives help give strength to the muscles that support the wrist and increase flexibility. --- Contrary to what another reader says, this is pretty good science. Almost ten years later, I am still pain free!

I am a dance teacher of adults and occasionally have a student with wrist pain. I always recommend Kate Montgomery's book and program. I have had at least a dozen students come back to me and tell me that this method works.

The price of the book is less than a doctors visit. It is definitely worth a try.

I had purchased this book several years back, and had to replace my old damaged copy. This book has some wonderful massages, movements, etc. that can improve one's circulation and mobility. I had C.P. in both hands and had been told by a neurologist that not only was mine "the worst case he had ever seen", but that without surgery I would lose the use of my hands. After working with the techniques described in the book, I was able to increase my typing speed from 35 wpm to 67 wpm (I'm a secretary). And as long as I have continued to use the method, it has continued to help. I have passed on the info to many co-workers & family members, who have also found the book exceptionally helpful. When you consider that surgery for this problem is often unsuccessful and painful, it is definitely worth giving the Montgomery method a try.

I live near where Doctor Montegomery practices medicine. My therapist suggested this book when I sought a second and third opinion about getting surgery for Carpal Tunnel pain. This book help me use a method for pain relief, discovered cause was not necessarily my wrist nor hand, and avoided surgery. If you are good at persistance,buy this book, read it, apply it and get relief. Understanding of why the pain and what to do about it is priceless.

I learned some things from this book. But her exercises surely didn't cause my carpal tunnel to go away as she seems to be claiming. Here is my cautionary note: Do NOT do those massages with your bare hands unless you have big, strong, very flexible hands. My hands are small and, like some others, I have found that using them for anything but the gentlest massage can actually harm them. There are all kinds of helpful massaging devices out there from large to small rolling squishy balls, to a hard roller ball strapped to the hand, and on and on. For trigger points, and I definitely have found that addressing them helps, those devices are also good, but especially it helps to have something like a Theracane which can put more pointed pressure on the "hot" spots.

One thing I wish had been mentioned...One needs to be sure one's thyroid is in top shape. You can't always go by the blood tests either. If the thyroid is out of wack, it affects so much else, commmonly the carpal tunnel. Then the adrenals may also be not functioning so well. Ditto the estrogen, if you are a gal. I found the website called Stop The Thyroid Madness to be a great help toward adressing the underlying condtion of the cts, personally.

9/28/11 Edit. And my prayers were answered! I found out about a machine called a Sota Magnetic Pulser. It is used to do things like help with muscle pain and cleanse out the lymphatic glands. It occured to me to try it on my wrist. I placed my wrist down on it, rather than vice versa because it is a bit heavy and those bones are small there, and I pulsed every night for 5 - 10 minutes. (It feels like virtually nothing is happening. In a couple of days I could draw for an hour w/o that tingly feeling. In a couple of weeks I could, and do, draw for hours (though I do take stretch breaks every hour or so) with no CTS at all!

I also used to have CTS problems with much use of the computer keyboard but not any more.

Now I also lie flat on my back when sleeping, what is called the corpse position in Yoga, which I don't like at all but I've gotten used to it. When I draw I use a little mini easel to keep my hand in a position pointed pretty much toward the cieling. No matter what else I do though, aspirin, ergonomics, whatever - if I stop using the Pulser the pain comes back. I have no financial connection to that company btw. Wish I did! :-D

I am a 46 year old classical guitarist that has suffered may years with carpal tunnel/Rsi. I tried everything short of surgury but nothing worked. I also type on a computer over 8hrs a day. I bought the book. I went to see Ms Montgomery. In one session my pain was gone! I really mean it, it was the best thing I ever have done for myself. You don't need surgury, you need this book. With daily exercises I am completely pain free, I cannot recommend this enough, it really does work. Give it a try, you wont be sorry.