subject: Managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [print this page] Risk factors for developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include: small or square (vs rectangular) carpal tunnels, obesity, chronic illnesses including diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, menopause and pregnancy. Activities that cause repetitive stress on the wrist joint can also increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. These activities may range from computer work to manual labor -- even hobbies like game playing, needlework, gardening and card playing can cause stress that can lead to carpal tunnel.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is best managed in its early stages. Opportunities to minimize the damage include:
Adopting ergonomic practices at work. You can minimize the damage caused by heavy computer use and other similar activities by properly adjusting your chair height using wrist rests and ergonomic keyboards, etc.
Adequate and appropriate stretching. Take time to properly stretch your arms and wrist joints before, during and after repetitive activities. Spending the two to five minutes to stretch will improve circulation and free the nerves. This will reduce the risk of further damage and minimize minor pain.
If pain from carpal tunnel syndrome becomes chronic, particularly if it disturbs sleep, it may be time for additional measures. Physical therapy supplies like wrist splints to immobilize the wrist, and physical therapy treatment can be useful. Doctors may recommend use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs to manage pain. In some cases, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome may even require surgery.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common repetitive stress injury. Without careful prevention, it can cause severe pain, numbness and loss of grip. The good news is that with appropriate habits, stretching and in some cases medical interventions like physical therapy supplies and treatments there are options for reducing the risk and managing the damage.
