If a nerve is desensitized, does that mean it is damaged?
 

Hey everyone.

So as part of a stress relief therapy for myself( as well as helping with headaches), I do a daily scalp/neck massage that usually lasts around 20-30 minutes. I put a fair amount of pressure (not too much) on my fingertips while doing a circular motion massage. Sometimes I push up areas of skin in between both hands (like a pinch with 2 hands) which really helps with trigger point release.

Anyways, I've noticed that the very very tips of my middle fingers are a little less sensitive then my other fingers, not with stimulation to something pointy like a pen, but a more flat surface like a finger nail.

I was thinking this is what happens to like guitar players? Although I'm
Not sure it's a callous or anything.

Is this something to be concerned about? Is very small scale desensitization from repeated massage the same as nerve damage to the peripheral nerves in my fingertips, or is it something different? Confused on how to interpret it..

Thanks in advance!

Anyone have insight into this?

Much thanks in advance!

I can tell you, yes it does mean damaged. if its desensitized or numb for a long period of time(weeks to months,years), its damaged. something like your leg falling asleep, is temporary, as the act of compression and lack of blood flow precents nerve signals, until there is no pressure.
After my idiopathic pn started, i started reduced or loss of sensations, in my right side of body, and the inside. Also if you have a condition, like dermatitis and you scratch and cause inflammatation that can also desensitize the skin.

Something like having shingles, which can initially present as pain, and after the infection, the area around the lesion were permanently numb(nerve damage).


Do you have PN, or injury to the head or spine?

Thanks for the reply.

No I don't have any head or spine injuries.

I honestly thought this was something benign, similar to what happens with a guitar player. I didn't think 20-30 minute massage could damage nerves, I thought the fingers were more resilient than that. The interesting thing is, When I slide a pointy tipped item over the surface of my
Fingertips, it feels the same as my other fingers, but when I slide a flat surface like my finger nail over them, it feels somewhat less sensitive. What could that mean?

Also I mentioned this problem to a hand specialist and he mentioned "there could be some slight desensitization going on, but I don't think you are doing any damage" He said he hadn't heard of something like that before and because of the layout/anatomy of that part of the finger he couldn't see a compressive neuropathy happening from a massage like that.. He said maybe over the bulk of the nerve at the wrist, but he hadn't heard of it at such an isolated place like the fingertip.

But yeah, im not sure what he meant by there could be some slight desensitization but no damage going on. That's why I asked here..

Just Guessing
 

I'll bet that anybody that has worked as a massage therapist could give meaningfull feedback. My Chiro's wife does deep tissue massage and can make me scream like a schoolgirl anytime she wishes. I know she always uses a lubricating gel, maybe that is the difference. Ken in Texas.

I think you could Google this and find an answer.