Thursday, August 27, 2009

Hand & Wrist Positions for comforting Carpal Tunnel Symptoms Pain

By Tom Nicholson

You probably already know about the nightmare that carpel tunnel syndrome can be to deal with. You have probably heard of the condition from a friend or co-worker that has battled it an know that you want no part of it. You may be thinking that you should take some steps to prevent this from happening to you. If you work in an office, are a construction worker or an athlete, you are probably wise to think like this. Anyone that uses their hands a repetitive way is at risk and should take steps to prevent carpel tunnel syndrome.

We always think our hands will be there for us. We don't mind when we get a little burn or scratch from a pet. It seems that our hands can take a beating and just keep on going. The truth is that our hands are extremely valuable to us, and we need them to carry out countless chores throughout the day. But for those of us who use them in our daily jobs, they become even more valuable. You'd think people would take more preventative measures to keep their hands in tip-top shape!

But what is carpal tunnel syndrome and how does it affect our hands? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that starts off with tingling, numbness or cold feeling in the hands. These symptoms can also be present in the forearm and elbow depending on the amount of time the symptoms have been present. For some people, even loss of functionality in the hands and fingers can result, causing temporary loss in productivity at the job and possibly even weeks of rehabilitation? Other conditions may occur if you adjust your body to ease the pressure on your wrists such as back pain, neck pain or even shoulder pain.

When the median nerve, which spans the length of the arm becomes compressed at the wrists, carpel tunnel syndrome will likely occur. The compression happens if the transverse carpal ligament is put under too much pressure and becomes tight. The transverse carpal ligament is important because it binds nerves and ligaments together at the wrist and allow for functionality and maneuverability in the hands. When the hands are not stress free and loose, they are vulnerable to discomfort and pain. There is some good news though. There are some steps that can be taken that can prevent this from happening to you.

Many people will automatically consider having surgery to relieve the pain of carpel tunnel syndrome, but this should be carefully considered. Since surgery involves severing the transverse carpel ligament, the results could be devastating if not done properly. The long term effects are still unknown so this option should be careful consideration.

The best principle to think about for carpal tunnel symptom relief is how can you do it in a natural, non-invasive way? The first thing to think about is your exercise and eating habits. The more nutrients your body has available, the better it will be able to combat the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome. Also, consider taking more regular breaks so that you can give your hands time to rest. Aside from those things, try to do some stretches and loosening of the wrist to keep things loose. It even helps to "shake out" your hands every once in a while to get the circulation flowing. Lastly, good posture is a must for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome!

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