subject: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - What You Should Know [print this page] Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - What You Should Know
Do you have carpal tunnel? To find out, let's explore some of the symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel will start out small at first with feelings of achiness, numbness and tingling in your arm which can extend up to the shoulder and neck. This is when most people will shrug off the problem thinking it is only temporary. But these are warning signs, and if left without attention the problem worsens, along with the pain.
At this point, you need to get some help to avoid a full-blown problem. Here's what you can do to avoid the pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, avoid costly surgery, and even cure this debilitating disease.
The first thing to do is reduce the amount of stress you put on your wrist. You should change your daily routines and work habits to avoid worsening the current condition. Also, you can use wrist splints which you've probably seen. These limit the motion you put your wrist through and stop further aggravation. It is a good idea to use a wrist splint at night so you can get a good night's rest. This helps prevents unwanted motion and allows you to heal and recuperate.
The other thing to remember with carpal tunnel syndrome is the cause -- repetition. Constantly repeating the same motions with your hands is the main culprit. With this in mind, it is beneficial to exercise your hand with stretches and exercises that don't follow a normal routine. A good idea would be to go through a series of isometric exercises during your breaks throughout the day. You should try and do anything to put your bones and muscles through a different set of motions.
In other words, it is highly beneficial to engage in stretches, exercises and relaxation periods for your wrist and fingers throughout the day. If you're in a job that is extremely repetative it would be smart to explain to your superiors of your condition and the exercises you tried to impliment to avoid the problem. In most cases, they will be glad to move you to a different situation.
Another good idea would be to change your diet and avoid acidic foods. These include red meat, saturated fats, oils, fried foods, dairy products and refined sugar products like sodas. Eat more raw food like fruits and vegetables and cut out the processed food in the frozen aisle at the grocery store.
Also, you should look into taking an Omega 3 fish oil supplement. Also consider a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement with MSM. All of these are proven to help lubricate and repair achy joints.
Lastly, if you are already experiencing pain and would like professional care a good choice is chiropractic. A good chiropractor can help relieve your pain quickly with a proper diagnosis targeting the exact problem areas. This can be done using massage therapy, motion and function restoration techniques, gentle alignments and nutrition therapy. Also, look for a chiropractor who specializes in the relief and treatment of Carpal Tunnel. They can get you feeling better fast.
