Having trouble typing on the computer or texting? Do you have a tingly feeling or numbness in your thumb and fingers? If so, you may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. If you are experiencing these symptoms you may be looking for answers on how to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS) is a condition caused by a pinched nerve in your wrist. Typical symptoms include numbness in your thumb, index and middle fingers. You may also experience pain and weakness in your hand and arm and have the tendency to drop things.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you spend a lot of time doing repetitive activities you may be at an increased risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. We are not just talking about working on an assembly line, but also activities, such as playing the piano, tennis or golf, knitting or gardening. You are also at greater risk if you are overweight, have diabetes, are small framed or smoke.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may develop gradually. Your symptoms could improve if you stop or change the activity that is causing it. Mild cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome typically get better with treatment, as generally there is no permanent damage to the nerve.
If your nerve has been compressed, long term, permanent nerve damage can occur. This may sound bleak, but the good news is that if it is detected early enough it often responds to non-surgical treatment.
What Can I Do About My Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Here are some simple suggestions that you can do to help prevent or correct your symptoms:
- If you do repetitive tasks at work, take short breaks every hour to relax the muscles and reduce stress to your arm
- Sit up straight; keep your neck neutral, shoulders back and wrists straight when working at a keyboard. This will help keep the nerve aligned.
- Exercise or take stretch breaks before during and after doing repetitive work/activities. Exercise can be as simple as opening and closing your hand gently.
- Wearing a wrist brace during the day may be needed if you have trouble remembering to keep your wrist straight and at night it’s helpful when you can’t avoid curling your wrist in. During the day the Fix Comfort Wrist Brace or the WS6 Wrist Compression Sleeve successfully relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms without restricting your finger and thumb motion
- The 3pp Choice Wrist Brace can be worn day or night and allows your wrist to rest without the tingling or numbness caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Massaging your wrist/hand is often helpful – especially when it is done by somebody else – to allow your hands to rest and recover.
- Ice can be used if you have pain and inflammation.
- Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day
It is important to understand Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in order to prevent it. Don’t wait until you notice symptoms to see your health care provider. Early and proper diagnosis and treatment are critical. Waiting until you have constant pain and numbness will result in less than favorable results. Also, remember the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can mimic many other conditions, so again, consulting with your healthcare provider is important.
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Our blogs are educational in nature and are not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Because your condition is unique to you, it is recommended that you consult with your health care provider before attempting any medical or therapeutic treatments. We are always happy to answer questions about products mentioned in our blogs, however, we cannot provide a diagnosis or medical advice
Thanks for the post! I learned a lot about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! I really liked how you explained that,”Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition caused by a pinched nerve in your wrist. Typical symptoms include numbness in your thumb, index and middle fingers. You may also experience pain and weakness in your hand and arm and have the tendency to drop things.”. My grandpa has been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome so knowing what the symptoms are really helps me know what he is going through.
My family seems to be prone to getting carpal tunnel syndrome. My dad and older sister both had to have it fixed with surgery. So, I am a little worried that I may have to do the same one day especially since I type a lot during the normal business day. How often should I give my wrists and hands a break in the normal day?
Hi James,
Early and proper diagnosis and treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is critical. It’s important not to wait until you notice symptoms to see your health care provider. Waiting until you have pain and numbness can result in less than favorable results. With that said, if you do repetitive tasks at work, take short breaks every hour to relax the muscles and reduce stress to your arm. Sitting up straight, keeping your neck neutral, shoulders back and wrists straight when working at a keyboard can help keep the nerve aligned. Exercising your wrist and arm periodically can be helpful too. The exercise can be as simple as gently opening and closing your hand. I hope this helps answer your questions.