Are you having trouble with typing or texting, accompanied by 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, pain and weakness in your hand and arm and the tendency to drop things.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It’s not just limited to assembly line work – repetitive activities like playing the piano, tennis, or golf, knitting, gardening and even being overweight, having diabetes, being small-framed, or smoking can all increase your risk.
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 can often be improved with treatment. 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
- Maintain good posture: sit up straight, keep your neck neutral, shoulders back and wrists straight when working at a keyboard. This alignment helps keep the nerves in check.
- Incorporate exercise or stretch breaks before, during, and after repetitive work activities. Something as simple as gently opening and closing your hand can help.
- Consider wearing a wrist brace during the day to remind yourself to keep your wrist straight. At night, it’s especially helpful if you tend to curl your wrist. During the day the Fix Comfort Wrist Brace or the WS6 Wrist Compression Sleeve successfully relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms without sacrificing 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 associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Treat yourself to a soothing wrist and hand massage. If someone else can do it for you, even better! Give your hands the rest and recovery they deserve.
- If you experience pain and inflammation, ice can provide relief.
- Don’t forget to stay hydrated! Aim for 8-10 glasses of water per day.
Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is crucial for prevention. Don’t wait until you experience symptoms to consult your healthcare provider. Timely diagnosis and treatment are vital. Delaying until you have constant pain and numbness can lead to unfavorable outcomes. Additionally, keep in mind that the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can resemble other conditions. So, reaching out to your healthcare provider for guidance is of utmost importance. Stay informed and take care of your well-being!
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How To Wear the Orthosleeve WS6 Compression Wrist Sleeve for Carpal Tunnel
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.