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 Doctors
have written about carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for more than 100
years, but it took the emergence of computer keyboards for the
condition to achieve national prominence. In fact, any activity that
constantly strains the wrist, from guitar playing to rowing, from
assembly line work to knitting, can bring it on. Sometimes, however,
carpal tunnel syndrome can begin without any apparent cause at all.
Carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts as repeated local irritations
swell the tendons and ligaments in the wrist. This then compresses the
median nerve, which passes through a "tunnel" from the forearm to the
hand. The combination of the inflamed tendons and the squeezed median
nerve are responsible for the pain, tingling, numbness and weakness of
the thumb and index and middle fingers characteristic of CTS. In
addition, any of the following have been associated with this painful
condition: an underactive thyroid, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis,
obesity, pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), birth control pills,
and menopause.
Although conventional medicine can be very helpful, we believe one of
its options, namely surgery, should be the last resort. As many
physicians are unaware of alternative therapies, let's see if our
MyHealth suggestions can help keep you out of the operating room. No
guarantees, of course, but nothing ventured . . .
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the wrist and hand that
affects some 5 million Americans. Carpal tunnel refers to a passageway
in the wrist, composed of bones and ligaments, through which a major
nerve system passes from the forearm into the hand.
For a variety of reasons--repetitive strain, arthritis, bone
dislocation or fracture, fluid retention, or a variety of systemic
changes affecting the entire body, such as diabetes--the carpal tunnel
can become narrowed. When this occurs, the median nerve, which controls
feeling and movement in the hand, is compressed by surrounding tissue
or excess fluid. As the nerve is constricted, it causes numbness,
weakness, or pain. Often affecting the dominant hand (though possible
in both hands), these symptoms may appear suddenly or gradually, and
may last for only a few days at a time or persist for several months.
Women are far more susceptible than men are to carpal tunnel syndrome,
in large part because more women perform the types of hand-intensive
tasks (especially typing on computer keyboards) that put them at risk.
The condition is also common among overweight women between ages 30 and
60 who have been pregnant. The sooner carpal tunnel syndrome is
diagnosed, the easier it is to treat--and the better the prognosis.
Left untreated, however, the condition can lead to a weakened grip and
severe chronic pain in the forearm or shoulder.
We offer complimentary consultations so that you can discover natural solutions for your health, click here .{mospagebreak}
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often considered a modern-day ailment, a
stress injury caused by too many tense hours spent at a keyboard. In
fact, it was first diagnosed in the 1880s, long before computers
reigned, and its rise has been attributed to several factors,
including:
- Prolonged repeated movements of the hands or fingers or bending of the wrist.
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Injury or trauma that causes nerve damage in the wrist.
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Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, birth control pills or menopause.
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Diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, or Raynaud's disease.
Treatment and Prevention
For carpal tunnel, acting quickly at the first hint of a symptom can
often head off a full-blown irritation. The natural position of the
working hand is with the wrist held straight or slightly bent and the
thumb in a continuous line with the forearm. Using your hand with the
wrist bent, either forward or back, places a stress on the nerves as
they pass through the carpal tunnel. So to prevent CTS, your best bet
is learning to work with your wrist and hand held straight.
If you must perform repetitive movements, like those required by a
keyboard, take a break every hour and exercise both your hands and your
wrists. In addition, always adjust the height of your chair until
you're positioned with your wrists in a straight line.
Conventional treatment usually begins with recommendations for rest,
cold compresses, and wrist splints. The splints are usually worn for
two to three weeks--especially at night when you may bend your wrist in
your sleep. At the workplace, a good wrist splint allows you to
continue your usual hand-related tasks. However, you may just have to
discontinue certain troublesome actions for a week or two in order to
allow time for the swelling to go down.
Unfortunately, the ultimate conventional remedy, surgery, provides
relief for troublesome symptoms in less than half of CTS patients. For
this reason, MyHealth routinely recommends that surgery should only be
pursued if there's clinical evidence of damage to the radial or ulnar
nerve with unremitting pain, numbness, and possible actual wasting of
the muscles of the affected hand.
And we also feel it's always a wise strategy to try a three- to
six-month trial of noninvasive therapies before you think seriously
about undergoing surgery. Actually, you might consider one of the
manipulative therapies, such as osteopathy or chiropractic, well before
considering surgery. You've basically got a mechanical problem, i.e., a
compressed nerve due to some local swelling.
Gentle manipulation of the bones and soft tissue of the wrist by a
health-care provider trained in the appropriate techniques may actually
shift the fluids responsible for the swelling and release the entrapped
nerve. Although such treatment may take several visits, you can really
tell if you're heading in the right direction because your pain should
lessen and your grip strength improve.
There are also a number of specific lifestyle changes you can make, as
well as several supplements that can help improve your circulation,
reduce the inflammation and generally promote healthy nerve tissue.
Remember, help is near to home. If you are concerned about your health
or considering care for carpal tunnel syndrome. At MyHealth here in
Mississauga you can count on us. We look
forward to evaluate your health and offer you the best treatment or
alternatives. We are conveniently located in Streetsville Village in
Mississauga.
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