Have you experienced chronic pain, numbness, and tingling in your arm? If so, it's possible that carpal tunnel syndrome is to blame. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in your wrist becomes pinched or compressed due to repeated stress/force to the wrists, which leads to severe discomfort and complications. In most cases, symptoms worsen over time. Therefore, you must receive a correct diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible to stop this dreadful affliction, which can plague sufferers for years!
The carpal tunnel is at the base of your palm near your wrist, which helps protect a certain nerve and is covered by a ligament. You cannot stretch or expand it, though, which can lead to compression of this nerve.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the space within the wrist becomes too narrow and compresses the median nerve. As a result, one may experience a range of symptoms, including pain, tingling, weakness in the hand, and decreased grip strength.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel?
Health Conditions
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a frequently encountered medical condition attributed to various factors. Among the most prevalent risk factors are rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diabetes, hyperactive pituitary gland, and hypoactive thyroid gland.
Hand or Wrist Injury
When you suffer an injury to your wrist or hand, the chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) significantly increase. Swelling that occurs as part of recovering from an injury can cause the carpal tunnel space to constrict, which in turn may place pressure on the median nerve, which runs up and down the arm.
Heredity
Genetic predisposition is often used as a reason why people develop certain illnesses and neurological problems, including carpal tunnel syndrome. While a combination of genetic factors causes many conditions, it is believed that those with a family history are more likely to tend toward the condition than those without.
Because of this belief, it may be beneficial to examine your family tree and speak with your own physician if such a problem ever arises in your own activity.
Repetitive Hand Movements
While working on repetitive tasks and always using the same movements, the body gets stressed over time. This can affect some more than others. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common ailment in workers who often perform jobs requiring them to use their hands, such as assembly line workers, machine operators, and typists.
Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
When the carpal tunnel is already damaged, the pain will last longer, and it might become more frequent during nighttime hours. During these instances, sufferers may notice that symptoms become more pronounced when their wrists are flexed – for example, when holding a phone or driving. Check out the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome below.
- A decreased grip strength
- Shock-like feelings that affect your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in your hand and fingers
- Unable to feel the difference between hot and cold
- Carpal Tunnel Diagnosis
No one should suffer at the hands of a pain in the wrist. A visit to your doctor should clear up if that's what they have ;) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is so named because damage begins at the wrists and can move into the hands and up one's arm.
The common symptom of CTS is numbness of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger, which can also be accompanied by pain. If you are experiencing these symptoms and think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, schedule an appointment with your physician, as it could take months or even years for permanent nerve damage to heal properly. They will likely first do a series of tests.
Carpal Tunnel Treatment
Anyone suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome knows how debilitating it can be, as numb and tingling fingers can make things a real trial. However, there are options available for surgical and medical treatments, which you may want to consider since some people prefer one over the other by personal preference or various factors.
Cold Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cold therapy uses cold packs or cold water baths. The perceived sensation of cold causes vasoconstriction (tightening of the blood vessels). This, in turn, leads to numbing of the pain. It also leads to vasoconstriction, which reduces swelling. This is a more desirable option than ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can cause bleeding and ulcers in some individuals. At the same time, ice therapy can be safely kept on an injury for fifteen minutes.
Sacksy Thyme Cold Therapy pad for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
Hot therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Hot therapy can be done using a herbal heating pad, a warm soak, or specialized fingerless gloves. The heat produced in these different products helps improve blood flow through the body, which in turn increases circulation, allowing your skin and muscles to heal naturally.
A great way to provide the best care for injured fingers or wrists is by using a small heating pad on top of them after performing intense activities like weight-lifting or even just typing on a keyboard all day. This will help keep them warm and prevent you from needing surgical procedures when small injuries arise.
SACKSY THYME'S Hot therapy relief heating pad for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Exercises
Strengthening exercises can greatly decrease your chances of needing surgery and strengthen your forearms, wrists, and grip strength. These exercises are easy to do anywhere you are, with little or no specialized equipment. Compared to gym strength training, working the muscles in the wrists can be problematic if done too often.
And therefore, it is important for carpal tunnel stretches and exercises to be practiced regularly with caution, as some people have experienced pain from swelling or tension, which could lead to feeling irritated by the exercise, which can easily be avoided!
By simply adhering to this rule, you can avoid any discomfort altogether! So before attempting any exercise for wrist pain or carpal tunnel syndrome, ensure you know what your body will handle first - so as not to cause more harm than good!
Massage
Not many people know about medical massage, but it's worth a shot as a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. There are many benefits of this type of therapy - trained massage therapists can reach areas that other hands cannot, loosen muscles, relax joints and even heal trigger points, which may leave you feeling less pain and having more mobility in your wrists and surrounding areas. This combination with some exercises or yoga will ensure you get better results!
How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
There are several measures that you can take to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Firstly, it is essential to maintain proper posture and positioning of your hands and wrists while performing any hand-related activity. Make sure that your wrists are straight and your hands are level with your forearms. Avoid excessive bending or twisting of your wrists, as it can cause pressure on the median nerve, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Secondly, take frequent breaks to stretch and move your hands and wrists. It is advisable to take a break every 30 minutes or so and perform some hand and wrist exercises to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Simple exercises such as wrist rotations, finger stretches, and hand massages can help increase blood flow and reduce the risk of developing this condition.
Precautions
The best place to start when it comes to relieving the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is by consulting a professional, your doctor. They can help you formulate your unique case's most effective treatment plan. Surgery or medication may be recommended for cases that are more severe or chronic and require pain management beyond regular means.
The important thing is being aware of what self-care measures may work for you and keeping yourself educated on the latest health trends so that you can further support healthier living!