If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you know all about the pain and numbness that come along with repetitive movement. Now, it's just a matter of preventing the symptoms, and dealing with them when they arise. You can start by understanding the cause of the symptoms, and then deal with getting results. Basically, symptoms of wrist inflammation can be relieved with the application of heat and cold, wearing wrist braces, and avoiding repetitive movements. Making good use of these preventative measures and natural treatments helps to prevent more extreme measures, such as surgery.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of inflammation in the wrist. The carpal ligament and bones in the wrist form a tunnel through which tendons and the median nerve must pass. Wrist or hand movements cause the tendons to rub against the inside of the carpal tunnel. When these movements are made repetitively, as happens with an assembly line worker or typist, it can cause that area of the carpal ligaments to become irritated. The irritation of the ligaments in the wrist results in inflammation, which presses the tendons and the median nerve together.
The median nerve in the hand provides sensation to the palm of the hand, to the thumb, and to all the fingers except the little finger. When the median nerve is compressed, the result can be tingling or numbness in those areas, as well as pain in the wrist itself. Pain can be mild to severe, and can range anywhere from the hand all the way up to the shoulder.
Wrist Braces for Pain
Using carpal tunnel wrist braces can not only reduce symptoms, it can also prevent compression and irritation that leads to symptoms. The brace forces the wrist to remain immobilized in a position that reduces rubbing of the ligaments. Even during repetitive movements, wearing the brace prevents the movements from irritating the carpal tunnel. In addition, wearing the wrist brace at night can prevent symptoms from occurring due to inadvertent wrist flexing during sleep.
Reduce and Avoid Wrist Pain
You can't cure carpal tunnel syndrome overnight, but you can reduce the severity of symptoms, and the frequency of flare-ups with these measures:
- Prevent symptoms: Wrist strain, and repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, benefit from rest. Avoiding the activities that result in wrist pain will go a long way toward alleviating symptoms and preventing further pain and numbness. When the activity can not be completely avoided, frequent rest periods are also beneficial.
- Relieving symptoms: Alternating hot compresses with cold compresses several times per day can help to reduce the swelling inside the wrist that occurs with carpal tunnel syndrome. For a hot compress that does not burn the skin, put a wet towel in the dryer until it is hot but not completely dry, and wrap it around the affected wrist. Cold compresses should be wrapped in a towel to ensure that ice or cold packs do not come in direct contact with the skin.
Carpal tunnel syndrome treatments should be monitored by a physician, but there are natural means of minimizing symptoms when you've overused your wrists. Wrist braces, hot and cold compresses, and rest are all simple ways to reduce pain and swelling, as well as numbness and tingling, without medication or surgery.
Sources:
National Library of Medicine: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Accessed April 1, 2010.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Accessed March, 2011.
Updated: March, 2011
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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