Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes numbness and a tingling sensation in your hand, arm, and sometimes the entire side of your body. This condition arises when the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, becomes compressed or irritated.
In addition to numbness and tingling, carpal tunnel syndrome can also lead to weakness in the affected area, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent permanent nerve damage.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for permanent pain, but there are several ways to relieve the agony associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome temporarily. If you are experiencing chronic or lasting pain, it is advisable to consult your doctor to determine the best methods for relief from this common workplace injury.
You can continue reading to learn more about how to start relieving and preventing pain today.
Want Some Background on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Before we discuss carpal tunnel natural remedies, it is crucial to acknowledge that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is not an uncommon condition. The estimated probability of developing the disease is approximately 10%. Typically, it manifests between the ages of 30 and 60 and is more prevalent in women than men (a ratio of 3 to 1). It is also progressive, implying that it deteriorates if not treated.
The initial symptom of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is commonly characterized by painful nighttime tingling in one hand, eventually progressing to daytime tingling accompanied by reduced grip strength. The affected fingers may feel swollen despite the absence of visible puffiness. Over time, there may be a noticeable decline in strength and a shooting pain at the base of the thumb, extending towards the shoulder.
Who is at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome?
One of the primary risk factors for CTS is repetitive hand and wrist movements. Any activity that requires repetitive motions of the hands and wrists, such as typing, using a computer mouse, or playing a musical instrument, can increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. This is because these activities put constant pressure on the median nerve, leading to inflammation and swelling of the surrounding tissues.
Another significant risk factor for CTS is certain medical conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disease. These conditions can cause inflammation and swelling in the wrist and hand, which can compress the median nerve and lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Women are also more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men, and the risk increases with age.
At-Home Carpal Tunnel Treatment
Home remedies for carpal tunnel syndrome focus on reducing swelling around the nerve and offering pain relief. You can do some of these simple remedies at home, but if your pain isn't going away or getting worse, we always recommend seeing a doctor from time to time, no matter what ailment you have, to ensure it's being treated properly.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Recently, there has been a trend toward simpler cold therapy and heating methods that people can do at home. Whether you realize it, using cold therapy on your injury will reduce the swelling and level of pain.
On the other hand, applying heat can bring in more blood and fresh resources to aid your healing process. Many of these processes utilize common household items, such as cold therapy pads, towels, or microwavable heating pads in your microwave oven, both specific to areas of inflammation where you might sense the injury with an elevated heart rate.
Cold therapy
Cold therapy for an injury is designed to reduce swelling and pain caused by injured muscles. It works because when you put an injured area under a cold pack, it causes blood vessels to tighten, which in turn reduces swelling.
This will help relieve the pain associated with injuries. Cold therapy can also be done with a cold therapy pack or frozen vegetables. They are both inexpensive options that are easy to bring anywhere you go.
Sacksy Thyme Cold therapy pad for Carpal Tunnel Relief:
The Sacksy Thyme Cold therapy pad is an innovative solution for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It provides convenient, drug-free cooling relief to the wrist and hand, fitting perfectly on the affected area. Easy to use, it helps relieve pain and discomfort for as long as needed.
Hot therapy
Hot therapy is any form of herbal heating pads, warm soaks, or specialized fingerless gloves used to improve the healing of your sore hands. Heat stimulates the blood flow within its targets and brings nutrients and oxygen to make the process faster and more efficient.
SACKSY THYME hot therapy relief Microwavable heating pad for Carpal Tunnel relief:
Using both heat and cold therapy
Using a combination of heat and cold therapy can be an effective way to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The heat can help to relax the muscles and improve blood flow to the affected area, while the cold can help to reduce inflammation and numbness.
Sacksy Thyme Hot & Cold Therapy for Carpal Tunnel relief:
Essential Oils for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you're dealing with carpal tunnel, I have some good news. You can use essential oils to help relieve some of the pain and inflammation. Essential oils have many therapeutic benefits and can make treating carpal tunnel at home easy. They're great for reducing all sorts of symptoms, like aches, numbness, pain, and itching.
Below is a list of a few essential oils that you can use for carpal tunnel:
- Lavender essential oil – relaxes muscles while calming the mind and helps with sleep.
- Eucalyptus essential oil – beneficial in aches and pain.
- Peppermint essential oil – reduces inflammation and aids in bringing instant cooling relief.
Hand and Wrist Exercises
Another one of our essential household remedies is hand and wrist exercises to help reduce your chance of surgery. Because they are accompanied by strengthening forearms, wrists, and grip strength, these exercises are simple to do anywhere and can be done in any position.
Unlike gym weight-training regiments, carpal tunnel stretches should only be stopped if you find them uncomfortable or have pain during the process. (Always listen to what your body tells you.) They should be advanced slowly because it will help reduce the chance of too much pressure on your wrist, which ultimately causes pain.
Massage
Massage may not be as widely known as other treatments available to carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers, but one should try it! A trained massage therapist can help treat your wrist and surrounding area by easing tension, relaxing joints, and helping trigger points. All these combined treatments may give favorable results that you will want to take advantage of!
Wear a Wrist Support
Wearing a wrist splint will help with carpal tunnel syndrome by reducing the pressure on your median nerve. Due to reduced irritation and pressure, you'll experience less pain, decreased numbness in your hands due to decreased pressure on your median nerve, and greater functionality because the body won't have to adapt so much to cope without feeling sensations in your hands.
The splint can be worn at any time of day or night while participating in any activity and is comfortable since it's contoured to fit the palm of your hand. You'll notice an increase in functionality!
Elevate Hands
To keep from getting burned out, be sure you're always giving yourself a break. It's going to cause a lot of stress otherwise. As for the carpal tunnel issue many people suffer from, it's important to do something about it before it worsens! One of the most effective tactics is elevation, as long as you don't lift your hand above the level of your heart. Also, try elevation while at home on your breaks.
This will ensure that swelling doesn't happen in your wrists, which could lead to much more severe issues if not treated immediately. If intermittent periods of rest work best for you, keep this in mind so that you can stay feeling refreshed and relaxed all the time!
Use Pain Relief Cream
If you're looking for a no-fuss approach to dealing with your constant wrist and hand pains, then using a pain relief cream is one viable alternative. Such creams typically come in tubes containing small brushes or rollers, which apply specific amounts of the compound directly onto the affected area.
If you struggle to find an effective solution via more standard routes, such as cold therapy packs or massages, consider taking some time out and seeking help from these creams for carpal tunnel treatment.
We can only recommend doing this occasionally because they have short-term effects, but when used alongside other forms of carpal tunnel treatments, they might be what you're looking for! Make sure you find a cream that isn't greasy and won't stain your workwear so that your hands aren't stuck in one position all day!
Lifestyle Changes for Carpal Tunnel Relief
Many factors affect your health, including the health of your wrists. A lifestyle that includes healthy food, exercise, and avoiding smoke reduces the risk of developing chronic conditions.
Take Breaks from Repetitive Activities
Repetitive jobs can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Make sure you're taking plenty of breaks during your day to let your wrists rest. It would be best if you also habitually do simple carpal tunnel stretching exercises every so often because they help loosen the tendons and ligaments that can cause nerve irritation in your wrists. People with construction, assembly line, and keyboard-type jobs will likely suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Avoid Over Flexion of the Wrist
Your median nerve sits in a narrow, rigid cyst called the carpal tunnel. When that cyst becomes swollen and distended, it rubs against your median nerve, which causes inflammation and pain. You can avoid this unwanted friction by keeping your wrist straight and not bending it too far in either direction, as this could lead to an even smaller carpal tunnel space, which will worsen matters.
Relax Your Grip
Playing sports and using tools or construction equipment with too tight a grip can damage your wrist. It's best to relax your grip for a bit of relief. Try switching hands if the object is light enough, or use a better tool with a looser grip.
Maintain Healthy Weight
Your health reflects the well-being of your entire body, and just like with every other part of your body, from head to toe, your wrists also need to be cared for. Carrying around extra weight can be stressful to the wrists, especially considering that one uses his/her hands to push themself up from the ground during particularly demanding exercises, like walking hand-in-hand with someone or climbing a set of stairs.
The structure of the wrist needs adequate space to support the weight that it typically doesn't get when carrying around a few extra pounds. So try eating better and start exercising as often as possible - these two things will do wonders if you're looking after your health!
Don’t Smoke
When you smoke, you're likely to notice some unevenness in blood circulation - for instance, you may lose feeling or sensitivity in your fingers. This can be troubling and uncomfortable, so we ask that you not engage in this habit to stop smoking.
Suppose you need help with nicotine addiction and withdrawal symptoms (like physical discomfort or loss of energy). In that case, it may be necessary to contact a physician who can provide the help needed to get you on the right track toward thorough recovery.
Pain Relief at Night
The best nighttime carpal tunnel solution is to keep your wrist neutral. The posture you're trying to maintain is just one that reduces pressure on the nerve and allows swelling to start returning to normal. Some people like the option of wearing a wrist splint or an elevated wrist while they sleep.
Treatment Precautions
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that simple, inexpensive treatments can manage. However, we recommend talking with your doctor before any new regimens to find which ones work best for you because not all treatment options will work the same for everyone.
The condition is a repetitive strain injury that causes sensitivity in the hands, elbows, shoulders, and fingers due to the median nerve squeezing the carpal bones. For persistent or chronic pain, talk to your doctor about medication and surgery because this varies on an individual basis, and changing the way you go about your day can often help significantly cope with the symptoms while improving flexibility and grip strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get immediate relief from carpal tunnel?
If you're experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, don't worry, there are plenty of ways to get fast relief. Wear a wrist splint, take over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs, or ensure your hands and wrists stay warm with a Sacksythyme microwavable heating pad. These are all quick and effective ways to help alleviate any discomfort you may be feeling. Take care!