Wrist & Hand

Maudsley’s test uses resisted middle finger extension during assessment of lateral elbow or proximal forearm pain. It appears in discussions of both tennis elbow and radial tunnel syndrome. That overlap is precisely why massage therapists should interpret the response carefully rather than treating it as a test for one specific condition.

The carpal compression test, also called Durkan’s test, uses sustained pressure over the carpal tunnel to assess whether median nerve symptoms are reproduced. It is one piece of an assessment, with important limitations that should shape how therapists interpret a response.

Phalen’s test is a wrist-flexion test used when assessing possible carpal tunnel syndrome. Its value lies in relating the symptoms it reproduces to the client’s history. A positive result adds information, but it cannot establish the diagnosis on its own.

Tinel’s sign at the wrist describes tingling or an electric sensation into the hand when the median nerve is tapped near the carpal tunnel. It can contribute to assessment, but the location and familiarity of the response matter more than a simple positive or negative label.