Sunday, August 9, 2009

A Basic Overview of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises Exercises

By Tom Nicholson

Though women are more likely to get carpal tunnel syndrome than men are, the truth is that this condition affects people across the board. It is more likely that you will get it in your dominant hand than in your non-dominant hand, and if you have a condition like diabetes or other problems that stem from your metabolism, you'll find that it can make you more susceptible in general. Mostly, this condition affects adults rather than children.

We are not sure that repetitive movements alone cause carpal tunnel syndrome, but the evidence does state that people who work in assembly line positions are more likely to develop it. This is something that can affect you whether you sew, work in meat packing, cleaning or manufacturing. According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic in 2001 shows that computer use does not clearly increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, though many people who work in typists positions and data entry find themselves suffering from this common disorder.

When this disorder is present in your life, you may find that you are going to end up missing work due tot he pain. Some people miss upwards of ten days of work from pain alone, and the surgery that fixes severe case can come with a long recovery time. When you combine time off of work as well as the medical costs for carpal tunnel care, you will discover that you are looking at something like 30,000 dollars.

Because of this huge impact on those afflicted with this condition, it is important to learn how to prevent it from occurring if possible. Prevention can be practiced at home and at work. This is especially important if you are predisposed to developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

At work, be sure to take time to stretch and exercise your hands and wrists. Take frequent breaks to let your wrists rest from the repetitive activity. Wrist splints can help keep your wrists in an optimal position for the least amount of stress. Sit correctly, using good posture. Use fingerless gloves to keep your hands warm and maintain flexibility. Your workstations, tools and equipment should be designed to keep your wrists in a neutral position while working. Tasks should be rotated so one person isn't doing the same thing every day all day long. Ergonomic designs for work areas, tools and other equipment will help keep employees safe.

At home, don't sit and do the same task for several hours. Alternate your activities and don't forget to get up and stretch. Exercises to relieve the strain on your wrist should be done frequently. Let your wrists rest. They don't need to be working 24 hours a day. Ice packs can be applied occasionally if they feel fatigued.

If you suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis or other disorders that increase the possibility of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, see your doctor so you can keep them under control. Take your medication and follow your doctor's advice on maintaining your health.

Take some time and really make sure that you stay on top of your health. Early diagnosis of this problem is essential, and you'll find that by finding out in the early stages, you'll be able to simply do exercises and stretches rather than take on surgery!

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