Chiropractor in Laurel

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Facts

Introduction

A common medical complaint is pain and tingling at the wrist and hand. The bones of the wrist are called the carpal bones. Across the inside of your wrist is a ligament, which forms a supportive, protective shield for the nerves, tendons, and vessels supplying the hand. This tight space is called the carpal tunnel. If the size of this area is reduced (for instance by inflammation), and the median nerve, which goes from the neck to the index, middle finger and the thumb, is compressed, carpal tunnel syndrome may result.

People with carpal tunnel syndrome frequently complain of pain, numbness, or tingling, from the fingers to the forearm, elbow, and shoulder. They may feel clumsy, and find they are dropping things more often than usual. Sometimes it becomes difficult grasping objects or opening jars. Some people experience pain turning their hand up and down, while others find that the pad between their thumb and wrist has gotten thinner. It is common to feel worse during the night.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve. This may be from direct trauma to the area such as a fracture or sprain, or due to upper extremity repetitive strain from working long hours at a computer, or on an assembly line. It is also believed that obesity, arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy, and hypothyroidism, may all contribute to this syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition related to inflammation around, and compression of the median nerve. It is made worse by poor posture.

When should I see a doctor?

Even though carpal tunnel syndrome may be caused by a wide variety of conditions, usually it can be treated without drugs or surgical intervention. If your pain so severe that you have difficulty with your normal activities, you should see a doctor. The healthcare provider you select will help you with ways to better control your pain and to improve your ability to perform desired activities.

What can I do for myself?

Even though you are in pain, it is important for you to stay active.

• Find exercises, which don’t require repetitive movements of the arm and hand.

• Examine which activities make your arm, wrist, and fingers feel better or worse. Try to limit those activities, which make you feel worse.

• Vary your activities frequently.

• Take “mini breaks” to rest arm, wrist, and hand, and to correct your posture.


Ways to increase your activity.

Evaluate what you can do, how long you can do it without increasing your pain, and what is too painful to do. Record how long you can participate in the activity without increasing the pain in your arm, wrist, or hand. Continue those activities you can do without pain. Temporarily avoid those activities, which are too painful to do at all. For those activities which cause “flare-ups” after prolonged use, try the following guidelines:

• Look at how long you can comfortably perform the activity, and reduce the time you do it by 20%. (In this way you should avoid the “flare-up”.)

• Over several sessions, gradually increase the time spent doing the activity.

• If another “flare-up” occurs, don’t panic! You may have tried to do too much too soon. Once again reduce your activity level by 20 %, and keep active.


Ways to modify your activities

· Simple changes to your workstation, such as the placement of your computer keyboard and mouse, the height of your desk or chair, or the direction you stand when doing repetitive movements, can significantly reduce your pain (see figure).


Ergonomic Work Station Checklist

Are you experiencing back pain? Complete the following checklist to find out whether you're doing all you can to help prevent and alleviate back pain.


Ergonomic Chair Yes No
1. Is your chair's height adjustable (i.e., higher for writing, lower for reclining)?

2. Does your chair have a tiltable seat pan that can be inclined forward for desk work, backward for reclining, and remain horizontal for erect sitting?

3. Does your chair have arm rests?

4. Do you have a lumbar support in the back rest?

Sitting
1. Do you sit with your buttocks back as far as possible on the seat?

2. Is the back rest firmly against your back?

3. Do you change positions in the chair frequently?

Computer Work Stations
1. Is the computer monitor at chin level?

2. Have you positioned the monitor so that glare is reduced?

3. Is the keyboard just above elbow level? (Your wrists should be relaxed.)

4. Do you have a document holder just below eye level?

Telephone
1. Do you use a head set if frequently on the phone?

2. If a head set is not used, do you alternate sides?


Rehabilitation

A rehabilitation specialist will perform a functional examination to rule out serious conditions, discover functional weaknesses, and help you identify specific goals of treatment.

Once your pain is under control, and your doctor has ruled out serious conditions, there are simple exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome, which may help you balance the muscles, correct your posture, and free the entrapped nerves. By increasing your function, these exercises become the key to your healing.

While carpal tunnel syndrome is often described as an isolated injury at the wrist, there may be a problem any where along the path of the median nerve. Because of this, it is important to rehab the entire affected upper extremity, neck, and shoulder, wherever the entrapment is found. Your rehab specialist may perform gentle mobilizations to the restricted joints and muscles, recommend exercises like the ones listed above, and recommend simple changes to your workstation. In order to lessen your discomfort at night, your healthcare provider may recommend using a night brace to support your wrist, and give suggestions on sleeping positions, which may decrease your pain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome may take several weeks to months to resolve. It is important to be patient and to continue the rehabilitation program. Try not to focus on pain. Throughout the treatment remember to focus on your functional improvements. It is these improvements, which allow you to increase your activity level, and return to your normal life.

Source from "clinicalrehabspecialists.com"