Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
One of the most common afflictions of the modern era is carpal tunnel syndrome, a sometimes extremely painful condition when nerve damage causes chronic pain in a person’s hands and fingers.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A special bundle of nerve fibers, known collectively as the median nerve, passes between the wrist and connects to the hands and fingers via the carpal bones. Although sometimes occasionally damaged by a sudden, swift injury, most cases are caused by long-term repetitive motions, particularly typing on computer keyboards, that inflame and irritate the median nerve, leading to numbness, pain, and swelling of the affected hand and/or fingers.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
Most people notice the first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome when they experience a tingling or numbness in one or more of their fingers, particularly the thumb. While this can sometimes be relieved by taking a quick break and “shaking out” your hand, if this feeling of numbness, “pins and needles,” or pain continues, it may be a warning sign that you are developing this condition.
Another warning sign is when you feel weakness in your hand, or may even begin to accidentally drop things. Carpal tunnel strongly affects the thumb’s ability to flex properly, which is an essential part of how we use our marvelous fingers to hold and grasp objects.
Carpal Tunnel Treatments:
While some cases of are severe enough to warrant surgical invention, or the use of powerful medications, the good news is that many people can begin to heal the damage to their medial nerve with a series of structured exercises.
Here is one stretching routine that can help reduce the chronic pain and inflammation:
- Prayer – Clasp both palms together, with the fingers pointed up towards the sky. Start by touching the tips of your fingers to your chin, and then slowly lower your hands towards your stomach. Keep your palms pressed together until you feel a bit of stretching burn in your forearms. Hold the position for 15 seconds, and repeat the exercise three times.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery and Medication:
In some severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Thankfully, modern techniques are often successful, and CTS sufferers are able to quickly return back to work. In consultation with your doctor, a series of anti-inflammatory or painkilling medications may be prescribed to help reduce swelling and the suffering caused by damage to the medial nerve.
Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
If you are an office worker and spend a lot of time flexing and extending your wrist, there are some simple but effective ways to protect yourself against developing this condition.
- Follow ergonomic guidelines while typing or doing office work, such as using a chair that provides proper support, a keyboard with a cushioned wrist rest, and sitting with your spine straight
- Be sure to take plenty of breaks and stretch, relax, and flex your hands and wrist
- Go slowly – rushing and hyper-extending the delicate tendons in your hands and wrists can quickly lead to carpal tunnel.
If you, or someone you know, suspects they may be suffering from this, it is important to consult a doctor right away. The earlier the treatment begins, the easier it will be to reduce, or even completely eliminate, the problem.