Post by Baking_Bud on Feb 22, 2003 16:02:28 GMT -6
So many of my girlfriends have ended up being in splints or actually having to go through surgery to find relief from their unrelenting pain, when dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome. Here is what it is, how it develops, and some practical tips to prevent it. I personally after seeing what they've gone through, circle and stretch my wrists and fingers when I am reading notes.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive-behavior pain in the wrist or hand. People with classic carpal tunnel syndrome complain of numbness, an inability to pick things up, and waking up at night. It can be caused by any series of sources, the most well known of which is typing on a keyboard for long periods of time. Others include playing the piano and working on an assembly. It's really from any activity in which you have to alter the normal way you wrist and hands are positioned. Women suffer from CTS at a rate three times their male counterparts.
If not treated, CTS can lead to permanent nerve damage. But don't panic if your wrist has been acting up lately. Not every wrist pain is an indication of CTS. The first test many doctors use to diagnose CTS is a simple one you can do yourself. Place the tip of your thumb and small finger together while another person pushes on your thumb. Weakness is considered a positive sign for CTS. If your thumb is weak and cannot sustain contact with your pinky, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out.
Activities that require continuous physical motion and awkward hand positions put stress on muscles and tendons. Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are becoming more widespread as more people spend more time working on their computers. You are more likely to cause injury when you're doing things where your hands and wrists are constantly moving in one direction. When symptoms occur, I recommend rest, applying a cold compress to the affected areas, and following up with massage and stretching. Here are some things to do to prevent further injury while you are typing:
Improve your circulation by frequently shaking or rubbing your hands, wrists, and forearms.
Take frequent breaks and do a few open-handed/ closed-fist exercises.
Get in the habit of gently tapping the keys, since your fingers and hands absorb the shock of typing.
While you type, keep your wrists in a neutral position, not angled up or down. Wrist position is very important in preventing injury.
Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle.
Get an ergonomic keyboard or a wrist pad.
If these techniques don't relieve your symptoms, get a health care specialist to evaluate your wrists and your workstation.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive-behavior pain in the wrist or hand. People with classic carpal tunnel syndrome complain of numbness, an inability to pick things up, and waking up at night. It can be caused by any series of sources, the most well known of which is typing on a keyboard for long periods of time. Others include playing the piano and working on an assembly. It's really from any activity in which you have to alter the normal way you wrist and hands are positioned. Women suffer from CTS at a rate three times their male counterparts.
If not treated, CTS can lead to permanent nerve damage. But don't panic if your wrist has been acting up lately. Not every wrist pain is an indication of CTS. The first test many doctors use to diagnose CTS is a simple one you can do yourself. Place the tip of your thumb and small finger together while another person pushes on your thumb. Weakness is considered a positive sign for CTS. If your thumb is weak and cannot sustain contact with your pinky, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out.
Activities that require continuous physical motion and awkward hand positions put stress on muscles and tendons. Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are becoming more widespread as more people spend more time working on their computers. You are more likely to cause injury when you're doing things where your hands and wrists are constantly moving in one direction. When symptoms occur, I recommend rest, applying a cold compress to the affected areas, and following up with massage and stretching. Here are some things to do to prevent further injury while you are typing:
Improve your circulation by frequently shaking or rubbing your hands, wrists, and forearms.
Take frequent breaks and do a few open-handed/ closed-fist exercises.
Get in the habit of gently tapping the keys, since your fingers and hands absorb the shock of typing.
While you type, keep your wrists in a neutral position, not angled up or down. Wrist position is very important in preventing injury.
Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle.
Get an ergonomic keyboard or a wrist pad.
If these techniques don't relieve your symptoms, get a health care specialist to evaluate your wrists and your workstation.