How to Beat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Millions of Americans have carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition where the nerve in your forearm becomes pinched. The result is pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and forearm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome disrupts your life in two major ways. It interferes with your productivity at work and it makes restful sleep more difficult at night.

Some people who develop carpal tunnel syndrome don't have a known cause, but for many it's repetitive stress to the wrist and arm that triggers the condition. If you work on a keyboard, use a mouse, or have another job that demands repetitive arm motions then you're at risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

You can protect yourself by making a few simple changes. First, stretch your arms, wrists and hands several times a day. One good stretch is to press the palms of your hands together in front of your chest. This will stretch the wrists, the fingers, and the lower forearm muscles. Another good stretch is to hold your arms straight out in front of you, make gentle fists, and then bend your wrists to press your fists toward the floor. Don't lower your arms when you do this. This will stretch your wrists and your upper forearms.

Another way to prevent carpal tunnel is to vary your activity throughout the day. If you spend a good deal of the day typing, take breaks to do some brainstorming or another task that involves an activity away from your computer.

If you already have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the best things you can do is buy a wrist splint to wear at night. This will help ease the pain while you sleep. You'll sleep better, which is good all by itself. However, a better night's sleep also means that your body has more time to heal. Most people who sleep with a wrist splint find that they experience less pain during the day, too.

I have also personally had good luck with massage therapy. Some licensed massage therapists are very knowledgeable about carpal tunnel syndrome. Ask around and find someone with experience working with your condition and schedule an appointment—you'll be glad you did!

Stay well,
Heather Robwell