Carpal Tunnel: How to Get Relief?

Carpal tunnel is a painful condition in the hands, which is sometimes associated with specific movements, but it may actually be caused by a variety of different factors. It is still uncertain whether or not repetitive typing movement of the hands is the primary cause of carpal tunnel.

The condition can be caused by other issues, including arthritis, or an injury that impacted specific nerves. The condition is caused when a specific nerve is squeezed or feels pressure. This nerve is in the wrist. You may feel that your hands and wrists are numb or feel a tingling in this area. Over time, you are likely to feel pain. You may find that this pain keeps you from comfortably completing tasks at home or work.

If you are a student or if your job requires a large amount of typing, and hand movements, you may find that you feel pain completing these tasks. People who assemble products by hand or those who perform hand motions in a warehouse to clean foods or other items may suffer from this condition. You may feel that you need to stretch out your arm or hands to relieve some of the pressure in the area impacted by the carpal tunnel condition.

If you suspect that you have this condition, you should see a doctor right away. Seeing a doctor will help prevent further damage to your nerves. The doctor will perform tests to see if you have the condition. The doctor will try to replicate the conditions under which you feel pain. He or she will also ask you about your work habits and hobbies which may contribute to your symptoms. An electrodiagnostic test can help a doctor see the damaged nerves.

The doctor will also want to see if you have other issues that contribute to your discomfort. If you have arthritis or other health ailments, treating these illnesses may naturally help resolve the carpal tunnel. Your doctor will likely require that you wear a splint to eliminate movement of your wrists for a couple of weeks. Wearing the splint will give this area a needed break, and you may feel that the pain in the area subsides simply after wearing the splint and resting.

If wearing the splint does not provide adequate relief, your doctor may prescribe medications that relieve the discomfort and reduce some of the swelling. Compresses are also traditionally used to alleviate swelling. Be sure that your doctor knows about other chronic health issues that you may have so that he or she can prescribe the best medication for your situation. Your doctor may also suggest that you stretch your wrists in such a way to help relieve the pressure.

Surgery is even an option for some patients. Surgery is sometimes suggested if the pain and other discomfort does not appear to disappear. The procedure relieves the pressure on the nerve that causes the pain, and patients who receive the surgery on one wrist, sometimes feel that they need to have a procedure on the other wrist as well.