In this blog we will go though some of the basics of what this condition really is and how to address it. I hope you find it helpful. If you have any questions, you can always reach out here.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
There is an actual opening in our wrist through which a specific nerve (the “median nerve”) runs en route to the hand, known as the carpal tunnel. We all have this tunnel. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that occurs when this nerve becomes irritated or compressed, resulting in symptoms of pain, numbness/tingling, and weakness in the hand and arm.
Here is a simple Google link to show you some basic anatomy.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
If you have tingling, weakness, or numbness in the first three fingers of your hand you just may have CTS. Often it will occur during periods of repetitive stress or prolonged positions. It may also occur with sleep.
Why Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Develop?
Most often, this issue develops in people who have jobs that require a lot of computer work, but it can occur in many populations. CTS occurs when a person spends a lot of time in positions where their wrists are bent. This places excessive compression on the structures running through the tunnel, leading to irritation.
Do I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
You might! Or, you might not…
Although symptoms may present in the hand just distal to the carpal tunnel, there are many places a nerve can become entrapped. Most commonly is in the neck.
Here is another link demonstrating what we call “dermatomes.” Notice that the areas labeled “C6” and “C7” are shown in the same area of the hand to which the median nerve goes. This means that numbness, tingling and pain in that region can come also from irritation in the lower portions of the neck. Furthermore, there may be irritation in both places, leading to compounding symptoms.
The unfortunate truth is that a vast number of people are misdiagnosed with CTS when in fact they are having symptoms of an irritated nerve root in their neck. The majority of people in my practice who have the symptoms we discussed in this article are successfully treated by using techniques to alleviate cervical irritation, without ever even touching the wrist. This is why it is so important to have an examination. There are however people who do truly struggle with CTS, which the next paragraph will address.
What Do I Do for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
If you have a true CTS, you will do well with the following basic strategies. The goal of treatment is to keep your wrist in a relatively neutral position throughout your day and night. The closer your wrist is to neutral, the more open the space there is within the carpal tunnel.
- Splinting: Buy a cheap splint that places your hand in a neutral position. Wear this splint during the activities that typically aggravate it, as well as when you sleep at night. Early on in the process, this is the easiest way to apply a more “wrist-neutral” life style without having to break any habits. The splint will do the work for you! You don’t want to use this as a life-long solution, however, so bear mind that the ultimate goal will be to ween off of it.
- Correct your ergonomics: Make sure that you are not repetitively putting your wrist into a bent position. For example, many people have their keyboards set up so that they have to either bend their wrists forward or backwards in order to type. They may have the same situation with their mouse. Lastly, don’t use a thick keyboard pad to rest your wrist on. This pad may actually push against your carpal tunnel, narrowing the space.
- Surgery: This is obviously last case scenario. When all other treatments are unsuccessful, however, there are surgeries designed to simply open up more space within the tunnel, which allows for less compression on the nerve.
If you try the first two bullets above and they work, great! Keep using the ergonomics advice indefinitely. For the splinting, continue to use it for around a month, then slowly use less of it and see if your symptoms stay away. If you try these and they don’t work, don’t give up! Your symptoms are likely still treatable, they just will require a little bit more attention from a professional. Keep seeking help to get the results you want!
If you have something like this going on and would like help, or you simply have questions please contact us Trem Therapy Solutions and we would absolutely love to help you! A brighter future is always just around the corner. I hope this blog has been helpful.
Be well, everyone. You’ve got this!!!