Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) develops from a complication with a nerve in your wrist. It starts when tissue swells and presses against the median nerve of your hand. If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, the pain can be debilitating and prevent you from enjoying your normal day to day activities.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is an inflammatory disorder caused by repeated stress, physical injury, or a medical condition. Several medical conditions increase the risk for carpal tunnel sydnrome, including:
- Osteoarthritis,
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
Other risk factors for CTS include:
- Age
- Gender
- Obesity
Occupational Hazards
If you use your wrists and hands repetitively in your occupation, you may be at a higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, especially if you have medical conditions that make your more susceptible to the condition or work in cold temperatures. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the top occupations associated with carpal tunnel syndrome are:
- Typists and computer users
- Musicians
- Workers in the fish and meat industry
- Welders
- Construction workers
- Cooks
- Electrical power-line repairers
- Painters
Due to the complexity of carpal tunnel syndrome, most hand specialists agree it’s caused by combination of factors that lead to nerve damage in the hand.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Prevention Tips
While there are no proven ways to actually prevent carpal tunnel, you can reduce the stress on your wrists and hands with the following carpal tunnel prevention tips:
- Improve your overall posture. The wrong posture can result in your shoulders rolling forward, which compresses the nerves in your neck. This improper position can affect your hands, fingers, and wrists.
- Keep your hands warm. People are much more likely to develop stiffness and hand pain if they work in a cold environment. Even if you are unable to control the temperature at work, you can use fingerless gloves to keep your wrists and hands warm.
- Relax your grip and reduce your force. The majority of people use much more force than required to perform simple tasks. For instance, using a pen with a softer, oversized grip will prevent you from pressing as hard on the paper or gripping the pen as tightly.
- Pay attention to your form. You should avoid bending your wrist all the way down or up. If you use a keyboard, you can prevent carpal tunnel from typing by keeping the keyboard at elbow height or slightly lower.
- Exercise your wrists and hands. Exercises like the prayer stretch, the shake exercise, and wrist flexor stretch are designed to prevent the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Take regular breaks. Give your wrists and hands a break and gently stretch them periodically. You should also switch tasks whenever possible.
Get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relief Today from Atlanta Hand Specialist
Anyone with persistent or recurring numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness of the hand should speak to a hand expert at Atlanta Hand Specialist. If you receive the appropriate treatment early in the disorder, it’s reversible. However, over time the insulation on the nerve will weary away and permanent nerve damage can set in.
Contact Atlanta Hand Specialist today at 770-333-7888 or schedule your appointment online for carpal tunnel syndrome relief.
