Carpal tunnels syndrome is a syndrome that can be very painful indeed and can interfere with life and functioning. It has a broad range of effects, from mild tingling in the wrists, fingers and hands to severe pain that interferes with functioning or even completely disables the sufferer. In the vast majority of cases, carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated, but in some cases, those treatments may be invasive and painful.
There are many different ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. The way you treat your carpal tunnel syndrome will depend on how severe your condition is and on what will work best for your situation. In most cases, your doctor will probably recommend you wear a wrist brace to immobilize your wrist so that your wrist ligaments are not irritated with repeated movements. Unfortunately, though, the brace itself is not perfect because it's usually only worn at night when you sleep. That means that the hand itself is left free during the day, which can further irritate ligaments. It is absolutely recommended that you minimize or even eliminate if at all possible using the affected hand for at least two weeks' time so that irritated ligaments can heal. This can mean, for example, that you don't even use your dominant hand (assuming that that is the one that's affected) for normal tasks like opening a door, brushing your teeth, all of those little routine things you always do without giving them a second thought. This can certainly mean some inconvenience and some clumsiness, but it does often help symptoms diminish and can even heal the problem altogether.
In most cases, the brace is worn for about two weeks, and the treatment can be combined with use of anti-inflammatories like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium. One company has also developed a device that is purportedly similar to the standard brace but is more flexible and fits better. It also gently pulls on the swollen inflamed areas so that the pressure on the median nerve is reduced and therefore symptoms are also reduced.
If you use keyboards a lot at work it's recommended that you get an ergonomic keyboard. Also get a wrist pad. Your hands, wrists, and elbows should always be aligned and parallel to the floor when you're typing. You should take 10-minute breaks about every hour and during that time for a walk and massage your hands. Massage your hands a few times while at home, too.
If pain and symptoms are still a problem, see your doctor; he or she may be able to prescribe you corticosteroid medications, which cannot be bought over the counter. These contain steroidal medication, so they do also have some risks. If you've come to this point, other treatment options for CTS may also be beneficial to you. One of these, chiropractic medicine, has been shown to be of benefit to CTS, and may utilize techniques like joint or spinal manipulation and ultrasound. Acupuncture, too, may be of help with CTS, and usually include dietary practices and herbal treatment in addition to the acupuncture. The acupuncture itself may be either traditionally based with needle usage or may be done through the use of lasers.
If you've tried all of these methods and nothing has seemed to work for long, your doctor may recommend surgery. If this is shown to be the best method for you, your doctor may recommend endoscopic surgery or traditional surgery. Endoscopic surgery has the advantage of being less invasive than traditional surgery, with a shorter recovery. With either type of surgery, the transverse carpal nerve is cut in order to relieve symptoms. This certainly should not affect the use of your hands either in terms of mobility or strength, but you can and probably will have at least minimal scarring. You'll also have some temporary swelling and pain immediately after the surgery that will diminish quite quickly. And of course, as with any surgery, there are risks, including nerve damage that may result from the surgery itself.
But what might be the best way for every individual to prevent CTS is to do special exercises designed to treat it and prevent it. These involve no drugs, they are always non-invasive, and they are inexpensive and convenient. They should probably be into before anything else.
There are many different ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. The way you treat your carpal tunnel syndrome will depend on how severe your condition is and on what will work best for your situation. In most cases, your doctor will probably recommend you wear a wrist brace to immobilize your wrist so that your wrist ligaments are not irritated with repeated movements. Unfortunately, though, the brace itself is not perfect because it's usually only worn at night when you sleep. That means that the hand itself is left free during the day, which can further irritate ligaments. It is absolutely recommended that you minimize or even eliminate if at all possible using the affected hand for at least two weeks' time so that irritated ligaments can heal. This can mean, for example, that you don't even use your dominant hand (assuming that that is the one that's affected) for normal tasks like opening a door, brushing your teeth, all of those little routine things you always do without giving them a second thought. This can certainly mean some inconvenience and some clumsiness, but it does often help symptoms diminish and can even heal the problem altogether.
In most cases, the brace is worn for about two weeks, and the treatment can be combined with use of anti-inflammatories like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium. One company has also developed a device that is purportedly similar to the standard brace but is more flexible and fits better. It also gently pulls on the swollen inflamed areas so that the pressure on the median nerve is reduced and therefore symptoms are also reduced.
If you use keyboards a lot at work it's recommended that you get an ergonomic keyboard. Also get a wrist pad. Your hands, wrists, and elbows should always be aligned and parallel to the floor when you're typing. You should take 10-minute breaks about every hour and during that time for a walk and massage your hands. Massage your hands a few times while at home, too.
If pain and symptoms are still a problem, see your doctor; he or she may be able to prescribe you corticosteroid medications, which cannot be bought over the counter. These contain steroidal medication, so they do also have some risks. If you've come to this point, other treatment options for CTS may also be beneficial to you. One of these, chiropractic medicine, has been shown to be of benefit to CTS, and may utilize techniques like joint or spinal manipulation and ultrasound. Acupuncture, too, may be of help with CTS, and usually include dietary practices and herbal treatment in addition to the acupuncture. The acupuncture itself may be either traditionally based with needle usage or may be done through the use of lasers.
If you've tried all of these methods and nothing has seemed to work for long, your doctor may recommend surgery. If this is shown to be the best method for you, your doctor may recommend endoscopic surgery or traditional surgery. Endoscopic surgery has the advantage of being less invasive than traditional surgery, with a shorter recovery. With either type of surgery, the transverse carpal nerve is cut in order to relieve symptoms. This certainly should not affect the use of your hands either in terms of mobility or strength, but you can and probably will have at least minimal scarring. You'll also have some temporary swelling and pain immediately after the surgery that will diminish quite quickly. And of course, as with any surgery, there are risks, including nerve damage that may result from the surgery itself.
But what might be the best way for every individual to prevent CTS is to do special exercises designed to treat it and prevent it. These involve no drugs, they are always non-invasive, and they are inexpensive and convenient. They should probably be into before anything else.
About the Author:
Trying these simple carpal tunnel exercises, as shown by Thom Nicholson (noted CTS Guru), can help you holistically treat your symptoms and reduce the pain caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome without invasive surgery. Help your body heal itself!
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