With computers and other technology being so much a part of our
lives today, the risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome is simply
too high to ignore.
As you type on your keyboard and move your mouse around for hours upon hours each day, tissue in your carpal tunnel can swell, placing pressure on the median nerve. The result is a pinched nerve in your hand. If left untreated, it can cause permanent nerve damage.
Make Carpal Tunnel Exercises a Part of Your Daily Routine
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons**, you should do five-minute warm-up exercises for carpal tunnel prevention before you start using your keyboard and mouse. The exercises include:
1. Stretch your arms in front of you, wrists and hands stretched up as if in a hand stand, and hold for five seconds.
2. Keeping your wrist straight, relax your fingers.
3. With arms still outstretched, make tight fists with both hands.
4. While keeping your fists tight and arms straight, bend both wrists down and hold for five seconds.
5. Now straighten your wrists and relax your fingers. Hold the position for five seconds.
6. Repeat exercises 1-5 for 10 times. After the tenth time, allow your arms to relax by your side as you shake your hands for a few seconds.
** American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
As you type on your keyboard and move your mouse around for hours upon hours each day, tissue in your carpal tunnel can swell, placing pressure on the median nerve. The result is a pinched nerve in your hand. If left untreated, it can cause permanent nerve damage.
Make Carpal Tunnel Exercises a Part of Your Daily Routine
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons**, you should do five-minute warm-up exercises for carpal tunnel prevention before you start using your keyboard and mouse. The exercises include:
1. Stretch your arms in front of you, wrists and hands stretched up as if in a hand stand, and hold for five seconds.
2. Keeping your wrist straight, relax your fingers.
3. With arms still outstretched, make tight fists with both hands.
4. While keeping your fists tight and arms straight, bend both wrists down and hold for five seconds.
5. Now straighten your wrists and relax your fingers. Hold the position for five seconds.
6. Repeat exercises 1-5 for 10 times. After the tenth time, allow your arms to relax by your side as you shake your hands for a few seconds.
** American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
Do
the exercises several times a day to help prevent problems from
developing. Maintaining good posture at all times is also helpful in
preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. Keep your spine against the back of
your chair, shoulders relaxed, elbows along the side of your body and
wrists straight. Keep your hands and wrists in a relaxed, comfortable
position while typing. Reduce mouse usage and ensure you are working in
an ergonomic workspace.
If You Have:
• tingling and numbness in your thumb, index, and middle finger,
• tingling in all fingers,
• tingling in only the thumb or middle finger,
• aching and pain in your hand,
• aching in your forearm that can radiate to your shoulder or back, and/or
• clumsiness or a weak grip,
You Might Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Don't delay treatment.
If you suffer with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, treatment may not require surgery. Simply resting your hand, wearing a wrist brace, and taking medication may provide relief. However, if your symptoms persist for at least 8 weeks and a test shows you have a pinched nerve, then surgical treatment may be your best option for hand pain relief.
If You Have:
• tingling and numbness in your thumb, index, and middle finger,
• tingling in all fingers,
• tingling in only the thumb or middle finger,
• aching and pain in your hand,
• aching in your forearm that can radiate to your shoulder or back, and/or
• clumsiness or a weak grip,
You Might Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Don't delay treatment.
If you suffer with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, treatment may not require surgery. Simply resting your hand, wearing a wrist brace, and taking medication may provide relief. However, if your symptoms persist for at least 8 weeks and a test shows you have a pinched nerve, then surgical treatment may be your best option for hand pain relief.
