Does this scenario sound familiar?

You’re working at your desk, trying to ignore the tingling sensation or numbness you’ve had for months in your hand and wrist. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shoots through the wrist and up your arm.

Do you suffer from tingling, numbness, or cramps in your hand and wrist? Have you noticed weakness in your grip or an ache in your arm? Perhaps you’re not as active as you want to be because increased activity causes pain and discomfort. Do you wake up at night with throbbing pain in your wrist and hand, or has your lifestyle suffered due to pain in moving your hand? 

If you have answered yes to some of these questions, you likely have signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when there is pressure on the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel – a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand, houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome results in pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, which radiates up the arm. Although pain in this area may indicate other conditions, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the best known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body’s peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.

What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The painful syndrome is caused by excess pressure in the wrist – anything that squeezes irritates or compresses the median nerve in the carpal tunnel area. Here are some examples:

  • A wrist fracture could narrow the carpal tunnel and irritate the nerve, causing swelling and inflammation
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

The syndrome can be made worse if the wrist is repeatedly overextended. Examples include:

  • While using a keyboard or mouse, the wrist is poorly positioned or not supported
  • Prolonged exposure to power tools that vibrate
  • Activities that overextend the wrist such as piano playing or typing

This means that jobs that are usually linked with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are manufacturing, construction, assembly line work, and those involving the use of keyboards.

Research shows that women are more likely to suffer than men, and the syndrome is often diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60.

Help is at hand

Once Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain and discomfort sets it, it’s unlikely to go away by itself untreated. With repetitious actions such as prolonged computer use, the condition may progress. Don’t ignore the pain in your wrist and hand.  Help is available and it can be life-changing.

We can help by providing a non-surgical solution. We’re all about living a full life without limitations. We will work with you to help you to reclaim your life without pain. 

Reach out today. We’re ready to put a plan together to get you back to your best self.