Carpal tunnel symptoms include pain in the hands, and tingling, numbness or deadness or pain in the fingers or thumb. A weak grip, or a burning sensation in the wrist or in the hand are also symptoms. Pain can be intense, and can even extend to the elbow or even to the upper arm.

Symptoms are usually accompanied by prolonged, repetitive activities such as typing or keyboard operation, playing a guitar or a piano, hammering, even driving trucks or lorries or sustained stacking of supermarket shelves. Almost always it is associated with tight forearms. And this is because the muscles in the forearm control most of the movement in the fingers.

It is these forearm muscles that can become tight and thereby shorten the tendons running through the narrow carpal tunnel within the wrist. The tunnel protects the median nerve (which gives sensation and feeling to the thumb and fingers). But when the tendons swell or become inflamed they press against the median nerve resulting in pain.

Symptoms are usually minor in the beginning with frequent tingling or numbness in the fingers or hand but gradually become more intense and without our being able to attribute it to any particular cause. Even clasping a pen can become quite difficult.

Cause of Numbness in Fingers

The actual cause of finger numbness is the pinching of one or more of the three nerves that exist from the base of the neck around to the front and then from the upper chest down under the armpit and to the forearm. It is muscle imbalance that gives rise to pinching of these nerves.

Misdiagnosis

If the carpal tunnel syndrome is as a result of using one’s hands then one can expect that the muscles in the forearms to be tight. This is an indication that it is genuine. But when tight muscles pinch the nerves it is usually false carpal tunnel syndrome. And unfortunately many in the medical profession do not understand the part that tightness in muscles plays in many disorders.

A consequence of this is that clients can become impatient for relief and agree to surgery. But contrary to what they might expect surgery is not a permanent cure as some years later the pain can return with a vengeance.

Appropriate Treatment

What is the most appropriate carpal tunnel treatment?

For the vast majority of carpal tunnel syndrome conditions treatment is much simpler and more accessible than is commonly believed. Moreover natural techniques have been shown to be a more effective solution yielding quicker results as well as being safer and at only minimal cost.  

As a consequence of having treat her own overworked hands Hilma Volk, a licensed massage therapist with over 20 years experience, has developed simple, easy but effective exercise techniques which everyone can use, wherever and whenever they wish, to not only gain relief but also to prevent the return of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other advantages attained from implementing these techniques can include relief from tension headaches, tennis elbow and pain between the shoulder blades.

To learn more about Carpal Tunnel Symptoms  and how you can simply and effectively treat and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome Click Here.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a channel and it is situated on the palm side of the wrist. The wrist bones form the shape of a semicircle and the carpal ligament makes a roof over them. The passage beneath is called the ‘carpal tunnel'.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is found everywhere but it is usually considered to be a work-related condition. The solution is to minimize strenuous repetitive activities that put excessive pressure on one’s fingers, hands, or wrists.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is actually the result of repeated movements of the wrists. This puts pressure on the nerves situated at the carpal tunnel. Typewriting, working at workstations or teller machines, playing games such as squash or tennis, or guitar or piano, or even knitting can worsen the condition. Either one or both of the hands may be affected depending on the situation. Even a person stacking supermarket shelves continuously could be affected.

Common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be numbness, deadness, a weak grip, a tingling in the fingers, a burning sensation in the hand or wrist, and intense pain. In serious cases, these symptoms can even reach the elbow and / or the upper arm.

What is the treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome? What is the best carpal tunnel relief?

1.      Exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome syndrome which have been found to be the most effective for loosening up forearm muscles, the tendons, carpal tunnel, and the hands. These self-help techniques can loosen up the carpal tunnel ligament and they also work for tennis elbow and other tendonitis in the forearm.

2.      Stretching. Exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome are vital if we wish to eliminate it. Stretching aids correction of any existing imbalance of the muscles, it stabilizes the joints and also reduces compression of the median nerve.

3.      Back Exercises: Many people (even teenagers) have poor posture: drooping head and rounded shoulders. This poor posture increases the likelihood of carpal tunnel syndrome. Instead of allowing the shoulders and back to carry most of the load such posture puts stress onto the wrists and the hands.

4.      Ergononics: Irrespective of what we may do either at work or home or elsewhere it is necessary to ensure that our activities fit our physical size, and without straining.

In modern offices workstations, desks and chairs should be adjusted so that the body is not put under any stress. And if we find ourselves in a non-ergonomic environment then we should speak up so that we can work safely. This is necessary not only for the present or short-term health but to avoid the avoid stresses and long term injuries which can show up following prolonged periods of poor ergonomics. Another approach is to vary the activities such as through task rotation. Not only does the worker benefit; the employer also gains through increased productivity.

5.      Massage Therapy:  Carpal tunnel relief can also achieved by utilizing self massaging techniques such as using socks and tennis balls for the back of one’s neck and also for the back muscles.

6.      Anti-Inflammatory Drugs:  Whilst anti-inflammatory drugs taken for carpal tunnel relief may make one feel better in the short term, in the long run they can actually make the problem worse.

7.      Rest is also advisable. People who are always on the run can often be more stressed and are therefore more likely to sustain injury. Moderation in all things is in everyone’s best interests.

To learn more about exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome and how you can get relief Click Here.