Many people suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome to some degree. They may experience tingling in their fingers or numbness or pain in their hand and wrist. This can range from annoying to very painful. Many people end up missing work due to the severity of their symptoms. Surgical treatment is reserved for the most advanced cases, and it means several months of recovery when you might need to be off work. This is why most doctors recommend non-surgical treatment first.
If you think you have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, see your doctor for a diagnosis. They will perform tests to check your pain levels when your wrists are flexed and extended. They will also check for nerve sensitivity and fine motor skills. Once you are diagnosed with this condition, it will be time to begin treating it.
Because carpal tunnel syndrome can be a symptom of diabetes or arthritis, these issues get primacy when it comes to treatment; they can make carpal tunnel syndrome worse.
The first thing that you are likely to be asked to do is to rest, at least for two weeks, oftentimes for more. This means that you should avoid any activities that make your condition worse, whether it is typing at your computer, art or work. This means that you may need to look for other jobs at your work place to take on.
When you want to treat your condition without surgery, you’ll find that wrist splints can help you keep your wrist still. You can get these at your local pharmacy or you can go to a physical therapist and have a prescription brace made specifically. Some people find that the brace is ideal when they are sleeping, while there are people use them during the day to keep the condition from getting worse.
If inflammation is something that your doctor found during the examination, you may be told to to take NSAIDS to bring down the swelling and the pain. Ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen are all drugs that fall under the NSAIDS category and can be obtained over the counter. Depending on your case, diuretics might also be used, as might corticosteroid injections like lidocaine and predisone, which can provide temporary relief. People who have diabetes or who are predisposed to suffer such should always be careful about the drugs that might affect their ability to process insulin. Some studies do suggest that vitamin B6 can help ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, and you’ll find that ice packs can also take down swelling.
Alternative therapies such as chiropractic care and acupuncture have proven effective for some patients. Yoga also has been shown to help improve your grip strength and reduce pain. Check into local practitioners in your area and ask if they have helped others with carpal tunnel syndrome.
After the pain has been dealt with, working with stretching and exercise can help you make sure that this problem does not get worse. A physical therapist can help you figure out what kind of regimen you need to get the best results!
What makes carpal tunnel syndrome a repetitive stress disorder? It is a RSD in that it is caused by performing reptitive motion, such as typing, or working on an assembly line repeating the same action over and over again. There are many different levels of treatment in trying to relieve the pain of CTS, but one easy, effective treatment is simply practicing carpal tunnel syndrome exercises.
