Showing posts with label carpal tunnel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carpal tunnel. Show all posts

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes And Risk Factors

8:45:00 AM
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful hand and arm condition that is caused when a nerve in the wrist gets pinched. One of the most common causes is repetitive motion of the wrist and fingers. Other factors could include anatomy of your wrist or some underlying health problems.
Understanding The Carpal Tunnel
This is a narrow passage located on the wrist on the palm side. Its diameter is about the same as the diameter of the thumb and it is bound by bones and ligaments. The main purpose of this tunnel is to protect the main nerve that goes to your hand as well as the tendons that go to the fingers. Sometimes the carpel tunnel gets compressed, crowded or irritated. This could be because of a inflammation or swelling due to rheumatoid arthritis or because of some repetitive motion. Whatever the reason, the nerve gets pinched, it causes the symptoms that are typical of carpal tunnel syndrome. More often than not, it is difficult to identify one single causative factor. The symptoms usually develop due to a combination of multiple risk factors.
Recognizing the Risk Factors
There are several risk factors associated with these symptoms. While these factors do not directly cause the symptoms, they increase the likelihood of damaging the nerve or aggravating existing nerve damage.
• A dislocation or fracture in the wrist that decreases the space in the carpal tunnel
• Nerve damaging conditions such as diabetes
• Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Workplace factors such as working extended periods of time doing certain jobs that require you to flex your wrists repetitively
Symptoms
The pain generally starts gradually with a dull ache in the wrist region and this gets progressively worse if no steps are taken to manage the pain. Some of the most noticeable symptoms include:
• Numbness or tingling: Numbness or tingling are two of the most common sensations you will feel, especially in all fingers including the thumb but not in the little finger. The sensation feels more pronounced when holding a newspaper or a phone or steering wheel and it may become more or less constant as the condition progresses.
• Radiating Pain: In some cases, the pain may start at the wrist and extend up to the arm or shoulders or down to the palm and fingers. This usually happens if you've been using the wrist repetitively.
• Weakened muscles: the muscles in the wrists start to get weaker and you may start to lose control and let things drop from your fingers.
If you experience any of the above symptoms persistently it is best to seek medical advice as soon as possible. Irreparable nerve or muscle damage can occur if it is left untreated.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Wrist Pain - 2 Simple Exercises to Relieve Wrist Pain and Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

11:56:00 AM
When you get wrist pain, it can feel sad and frustrating. You start to worry about carpal tunnel syndrome. Will you need to wear a brace, or worse, get surgery? Luckily, there are some simple wrist exercises that can relieve your pain and your worries.
Muscle, bone and fascial restrictions.
Carpal tunnel symptoms develop from repetitive wrist movement, and keeping your hands in awkward positions. Over time, your forearm muscles become overworked. The bones in your hands and wrists shift positions. Your connective tissue, or fascia, becomes tight and restricted.
As these tissues change, they restrict blood-flow and nerve conduction. Your arms and wrists can get feelings of:
o muscle tension,
o sharp or shooting pains,
o dull aches or nagging soreness,
o numbness and tingling, and
o muscle weakness.
Movement and therapeutic exercises.
One common movement that causes these problems is wrist extension. Your arms are pointed down (toward a keyboard or desk, e.g.), while your hands stay lifted up. The angle of your wrist is compromised.
Holding your wrist in extension for long periods of time, like continuous workday hours without breaks, will quickly give you problems.
But if wrist extension is the root of your pain, then you can prevent these problems and give yourself immediate relief with a few exercises. These exercises will flex the wrists, giving your muscles the opposite workload and maintaining a balance.
Isometric resistance means you do not need weights, tubing, or any fitness equipment. Practice them throughout your day, as often as you need them.
1st Wrist Flexion exercise- Sit at a desk, stand by a countertop, or position yourself next to a flat surface. With your palm-side up and your wrist flat, press your fingertips against the under-side of the flat surface. Keep your fingers straight and flat so the focus is on the wrist. Press firmly against the surface. Hold for 10-20 seconds.
2nd Wrist Flexion exercise- Similar to the 1st exercise, find a flat surface where you can press on its under-side, like your desk, a countertop or a table. Instead of pressing your fingertips, you will press with the heels of your hands. Initiate the pressing from your palms, keeping your wrists straight or slightly-flexed. Again, hold for 10-20 seconds. You should feel this in your forearms more than the 1st exercise.
Feeling it.
You should feel these exercises in your forearm muscles and wrists. Check that your wrists and fingers are straight and flat. The intention of these exercises is wrist- and arm-strengthening, but not finger strength.
If you feel any sharp pains, reposition your arms and wrists so they are straight or slightly flexed. Avoid wrist extension, as described earlier in this article. If you still get pain while maintaining the proper position, try to use less force as you press up. Start gently and increase force as you practice.
If your wrist pain comes from work, then print this article and keep it handy during your workday so you can easily and properly follow these exercises for faster relief.
By

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

9:44:00 AM
Enormous numbers of people around the world are suffering from bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. But, the thing that is truly depressing about it is that most folks don't even know they have the condition. The strange tingling in their palms and fingers are dismissed as poor circulation, fatigue, or even nerve twinges.
When pressure is set on the median nerve the condition is know as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Poor Posture and swelling can be caused by this pressure. Quick jabs of pain, tingling, numbness are just a few of the irritants that can arise if left untreated. Extreme cases of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome may cause you to have difficulty moving or picking up objects.
Surgery or other invasive treatments are not needed if you treat bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome early on. Ergonomically friendly equipment such as a mouse and pad can help keep your wrist straight and relieve some the pressure. Also, taking breaks regularly from work and dong simple exercises are a good way to relieve the pressure. Available in all different designs and sizes, wrist braces are another viable option for relief.
If you do need to have surgery because your bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has become quite severe, don't worry, it isn't very complicated. Basically, depending on your doctors technique, a small cut is made in your inner wrist (or palm). As soon as the pressure has been relieved all you'll have to do is baby your hands and wrists without restricting their movement entirely. To keep your circulation flowing you'll have to gently flex your fingers and make fists. You can reduce swelling simply by keeping your writs above heart level.
*SIDE NOTE: Like every surgery, there are some risks involved. If you feel intense pain that seems to linger after surgery contact your doctor immediately.
For treatment bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, there only a few options available. Schedule a consult with your doctor to determine what plan of action is best for you. Remember, the longer you wait the longer you'll have to deal with unnecessary pain. Do something about it now.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Wrist Pain - 2 Simple Exercises to Relieve Wrist Pain and Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

10:55:00 PM
When you get wrist pain, it can feel sad and frustrating. You start to worry about carpal tunnel syndrome. Will you need to wear a brace, or worse, get surgery? Luckily, there are some simple wrist exercises that can relieve your pain and your worries.
Muscle, bone and fascial restrictions.
Carpal tunnel symptoms develop from repetitive wrist movement, and keeping your hands in awkward positions. Over time, your forearm muscles become overworked. The bones in your hands and wrists shift positions. Your connective tissue, or fascia, becomes tight and restricted.
As these tissues change, they restrict blood-flow and nerve conduction. Your arms and wrists can get feelings of:
o muscle tension,
o sharp or shooting pains,
o dull aches or nagging soreness,
o numbness and tingling, and
o muscle weakness.
Movement and therapeutic exercises.
One common movement that causes these problems is wrist extension. Your arms are pointed down (toward a keyboard or desk, e.g.), while your hands stay lifted up. The angle of your wrist is compromised.
Holding your wrist in extension for long periods of time, like continuous workday hours without breaks, will quickly give you problems.
But if wrist extension is the root of your pain, then you can prevent these problems and give yourself immediate relief with a few exercises. These exercises will flex the wrists, giving your muscles the opposite workload and maintaining a balance.
Isometric resistance means you do not need weights, tubing, or any fitness equipment. Practice them throughout your day, as often as you need them.
1st Wrist Flexion exercise- Sit at a desk, stand by a countertop, or position yourself next to a flat surface. With your palm-side up and your wrist flat, press your fingertips against the under-side of the flat surface. Keep your fingers straight and flat so the focus is on the wrist. Press firmly against the surface. Hold for 10-20 seconds.
2nd Wrist Flexion exercise- Similar to the 1st exercise, find a flat surface where you can press on its under-side, like your desk, a countertop or a table. Instead of pressing your fingertips, you will press with the heels of your hands. Initiate the pressing from your palms, keeping your wrists straight or slightly-flexed. Again, hold for 10-20 seconds. You should feel this in your forearms more than the 1st exercise.
Feeling it.
You should feel these exercises in your forearm muscles and wrists. Check that your wrists and fingers are straight and flat. The intention of these exercises is wrist- and arm-strengthening, but not finger strength.
If you feel any sharp pains, reposition your arms and wrists so they are straight or slightly flexed. Avoid wrist extension, as described earlier in this article. If you still get pain while maintaining the proper position, try to use less force as you press up. Start gently and increase force as you practice.
If your wrist pain comes from work, then print this article and keep it handy during your workday so you can easily and properly follow these exercises for faster relief.
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