From Symptoms to Solutions: Your Complete Guide to Carpal Tunnel
February 16, 2023
6 min read
Are you experiencing persistent hand pain that feels tingling and numb? If so, it is possible that what you're feeling is carpal tunnel syndrome. This painful affliction often affects people who suffer from repetitive motions at work or as part of a regular activity.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects the hand and wrist, caused by compression of the median nerve.
The median nerve is essential for fine motor control and sensation, allowing us to use our thumbs and several fingers on one hand. When this nerve is compressed, it can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
What Are the Common Causes?
Everyone knows the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome, whether it's personal experience or simply knowing someone who is suffering from this hand or wrist condition.
Understanding what puts you at risk for developing this condition can help identify steps to take to prevent it before symptoms become serious.
Repetitive Motions
Repetitive wrist and hand motions, such as typing or using a mouse for an extended period, can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This occurs when inflammation causes tendons and ligaments to press on the median nerve in your wrists, leading to uncomfortable CTS symptoms.
Age
With age comes an increased risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, especially for individuals over 40. This may be attributed to a unique brew of physical changes, such as natural degradation in tendons and ligaments within the carpel tunnel and decreased blood flow around this area.
Genetics
Genetic predisposition can make some individuals more vulnerable to developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Those born with a smaller carpal tunnel are at greater risk of nerve compression as even minor amounts of inflammation or swelling in the area can cause complications.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause fluid buildup in the wrist, resulting in increased pressure on the median nerve. This potential increase in CTS symptoms should be monitored closely to ensure proper management through gestation and beyond.
Medical conditions
People with medical conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are more prone to CTS than others, as inflammation associated with these ailments can compress the median nerve in their hands and wrists. This could lead to painful symptoms that require specialized care.
Early Warning Signs
Understanding the symptoms of CTS can help identify the condition early and seek appropriate treatment. Symptoms of CTS include:
- Pain, tingling sensation, and numbness in the fingers and hand
- Pain that may radiate up the arm
- Loss of grip strength
- Difficulty performing fine motor tasks
- Awaken from sleep due to hand numbness
How Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed?
If you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above—numbness, tingling, or pain in your hand and wrist—it's important to see a doctor immediately for a diagnosis.
Your physician will likely perform physical exams of your hands and wrists as well as tests like an X-ray or MRI scan to determine if you have CTS. They may also ask you questions about your medical history and lifestyle habits in order to rule out other probable causes of your symptoms.
Treatment Options
Managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome requires a tailored approach. Your healthcare provider may suggest making a few lifestyle changes to help ease the symptoms and avoid further progression. Treatment for CTS usually begins with conservative measures. These measures include:
Resting the affected hand and wrist: Avoid activities that aggravate the symptoms, such as prolonged repetitive motions.
Wearing a splint: Wearing a splint to keep the wrist in a neutral position can help to alleviate symptoms and reduce the pressure on the median nerve.
Taking over-the-counter pain medication: Taking the right medications can effectively manage Carpal Tunnel Syndrome's discomfort and swelling. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help provide relief from CTS pain, resulting in greater hand mobility.
Modifying workstation or activity: Ergonomic equipment, such as an ergonomic keyboard or mouse, can reduce stress on the hand and wrist.
Stretching or strengthening exercises: Physical therapy can help to improve the flexibility and strength of the hand and wrist, which can help to alleviate symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.
If these conservative measures do not provide relief, your doctor may recommend more invasive options such as corticosteroid injections or surgery.
Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, while surgery can relieve the pressure on the median nerve by releasing the transverse carpal ligament. Surgery is considered a last resort.
Preventative Measures You Can Take
Despite the pain and discomfort caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, there is still hope! Preventive measures to reduce risk factors can help your hands stay healthy.
Reduce Repetitive Movements
The most common cause of CTS is prolonged exposure to repetitively performing movements with the hands and wrists, particularly those involving strong, forceful motion such as typing or using a mouse.
To reduce this risk, you should limit your exposure to such activities whenever possible, taking frequent breaks throughout the day for stretching and rest.
Maintain Proper Posture
Having poor posture when sitting down at a desk can put additional pressure on your wrists, leading to CTS over time.
It’s essential to maintain good posture when sitting at their desk by having both feet flat on the ground and elbows bent at 90 degrees with wrists straight, and shoulder blades close together as much as possible while you type/use your mouse, etc.
Exercise Regularly & Strengthen Muscles Around the Wrist
Exercises targeted towards strengthening muscles around the wrist area are particularly helpful in preventing CTS from occurring or recurring since they provide additional support and flexibility to this sensitive area when engaging in activities involving repetitive motions with hands & wrists.
Strengthen your wrists and fingers with a variety of resistance exercises! Get started by flexing and extending with lightweight bands or dumbbells for each hand. Try the dynamic wrist stretch - move your hands from side to side ten times per set - as an effective way to increase strength in both areas quickly!
Follow Healthy Diet & Lifestyle Habits
Following a healthy diet and lifestyle habits can also help reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome from recurring or developing other conditions that might increase an individual's chance of suffering from CTS over time, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
These changes include maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise; avoiding cold temperatures, particularly during sports activities like skiing/snowboarding, etc.; keeping fingers warm during winter months; quitting smoking if applicable; limiting alcohol intake whenever possible.
Don't Let Carpal Tunnel Slow You Down
Don't let carpal tunnel syndrome take away the things you love—with preventive measures like proper ergonomics and treatments such as physical therapy or steroid injections, it's possible to manage this condition so that you can get back on track. With some proactive steps forward, there is hope for a life free of pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome!
