Freeport, Ill. - Chris Geiken of Freeport works in construction and has been getting tingling, stiffness and numbing in his hands. He has sought relief and was diagnosed with what may be symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. He has been looking for a solution to his pain saying wearing a brace or other device would make it impossible to continue to work.Geiken heard a radio advertisement for a solution – The Carpal Roller. It was to be shown at the Home Show in Freeport this past weekend. He wanted to see the device for himself. Geiken met with the inventor and designers of the product, Brad Wagner and Doug Allen, of Anpec Industries Inc. in Pecatonica.
Geiken walked up to the booth on Saturday and was met by both Wagner and Allen, but also Amy Krolow, an occupational therapist. After talking to Wagner and discussing his own issues with Krolow, Geiken sat down to try out the device.
“In a few short minutes of trying the roller, I felt things loosen and stretch, which I had never felt before,” Geiken said. “I cannot afford to let things get any worse for me.”
Geiken promptly open up his wallet – he was sold.
The Carpal Roller
Wagner is no stranger to the effects of carpal tunnel. As an engineer at Anpec Industries, he began to look at solutions to his own problems. His carpal tunnel problems began in 2008. He watched football players get massages for their own wrist issues, which prompted him to begin looking at solutions.Wagner is active in bicycling, snowmobiling and riding an ATV. All three sports involve wrist movements. He knew he didn’t want to wear an arm splint – massage seemed to be the way to go for him. Using his own resources at work, he began designing a device. He wanted it to be “one size fits all.”
Once he came up with his own prototype, he began using it and started to notice his own symptoms began to disappear.
“I knew I had something, but I was nervous,” Wagner said. “I have a friend who is an occupational therapist, whose husband is also a physical therapist.
“I wanted them to look at it and I knew they would be honest with me,” he said. “My friend told me I was onto something, and she also had a few changes for me.”
Wagner then approached several other medical people for clinical and case studies. After receiving favorable results, Wagner and Allen began looking for a distributor for their product. Based in Florida, Source 1 Medical is one of the leading distributors for selling physical therapy equipment. Once officials from the company tested The Carpal Roller, they picked it up for distribution.
“Everyone who has used this device so far has found some relief,” Allen said, What is Carpal Tunnel?
This is when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the hand, becomes pressed and squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers, as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel. The result may be pain, weakness or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm.
Only a doctor can diagnose maladies of the wrists, arms and feet, but Wagner said The Carpal Roller just may aid in relieving symptoms of carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and some foot pain.
“This device offers continuous exercise,” Wagner said. “I see it as a preventative device.”
Offering Solutions
Krolow said in her practice as an occupational therapist, she works with hand therapies. She said she sees potential for good with The Carpal Tunnel device. What the device offers is a massage of the soft tissue, which can decrease tension on the nerves and tendons. She also said the device can be effective in foot and heel pain.
“Obviously, if the person has severe issues with wrist, arm and foot pain, they should seek medical attention” Krolow said. “This may just prevent someone from actually having surgery.
“This type of massage is about reducing symptoms by releasing and lengthening the fascia (the fibrous tissue in the body), which allows muscles, tendons and ligaments to return to their correct position, length and function.”
The Carpal Roller is manufactured and produced at Anpec Industries in Pecatonica. Wagner and Allen said their are proud of the device and hope they can help make a difference in another person’s life.
“It’s inexpensive and I can honestly say it works,” Wagner said.
Carpal Tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries.
The Carpal Roller
Cost: $79.95
For more: www.carpalroller.com or call (815) 239-2303
By the numbers
1 percent of the general population and 5 percent of the working population must undergo repetitive use of their hands and wrists daily.
This article had originally appeared on JournalStandard.com
