Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition where your Median nerve (major nerve in the wrist) gets pinched at under the CARPAL TUNNEL causing pain and numbness in the fingers and hand. It is a narrow small passage on the palm side of your wrist.
The easy way to detect Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is by doing Tinel sign.
Self-test : It is done by taping or press on the median nerve at the wrist.
If your fingers tingle or if you feel an electric-shock-like sensation, the test is positive, indicating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Pins and needles numbness usually affects the thumb, index, middle or ring fingers but not your little finger.
- Radiated or referred pain into your arm and shoulder.
- Weakness of the hand.
Common risk factors are Repetitive stress ,Pregnancy , Congenital factors Conditions or illnesses like Obesity, Arthritis etc.
Wearing a splint/brace is the key treatment as it may provide relief.
a. Working splint can be useful if your symptoms are brought on by activities. Correctly position your hands and wrists while working is equally important.
b. Wearing a splint at night can help take the pressure off the median nerve, helping prevent the symptoms. This can help you sleep
2. ICE PACKS:
Can be applied to the area to help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Ice 10-15 minutes at a time 2-3 times a day.
a. Low sodium diet may be helpful in combating fluid retention in the wrist.
b. Vitamin B6 rich food like spinach functions as an analgesic and can help ease pain.
C. Foods that promote inflammation such as sugar, refined carbohydrates should be avoided.
Instead have plenty of antioxidant-rich foods, pineapple, walnuts, salmon, that decrease inflammation in the body and help reduce Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms.
a. Before starting any strenuous activities try some warm up exercises.
b. Practice stretches regularly like ball exercises, band exercises and stress ball exercises.
c. Low intensity exercises like Yoga eases pain and boosts grip strength.
d. Wrist exercises like wrist flexor stretch, wrist extensor stretch, all direction (Rotate your wrist up, down, and from side to side) to be practiced every day.
a. An injection of local anesthetic and a corticosteroid medication into the affected area can help to reduce swelling.
b. Diuretic medications also help to reduce your body’s retention of fluid by increasing the amount of urine passed.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually isn’t serious. With proper management the pain will typically go away, and you'll have no lasting damage to your hand or wrist.