Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Solutions
The Carpal Tunnel is a space within the wrist, between the bone and a ligament sheath called the Transverse Carpal Ligament. Nerves, muscle tendons from the forearm, and blood vessels pass through this space but there is limited room. If a cyst, scar tissue, or fluid fills up the space the Median nerve can become compressed.
If this happens symptoms can develop in the hand, particularly in the thumb and the next 2-3 fingers. Most commonly this is an aching pain, pins and needles, or numbness in this side of the hand. If the pressure on the median Nerve is strong those fingers can lose strength and dexterity. If this continues for long enough eventual the muscles in the palm of the hand on the thumb side can start to waste away.
Exercises can help but if the numbness becomes constant (not just coming and going), or the fingers become overtly weak (or even wasting away) you need to visit a medical doctor to avoid permanent nerve damage.
The exercises aim at moving any cysts or fluid out of the Carpal Tunnel and reducing tendon inflammation. But the nerve can be compressed in additional sites further up the arm (creating ‘double crush phenomenon’), contributing to the overall problem. So some of the exercises aim at improving other Median Nerve compression sites too. Chiropractic work on the base of the neck is needed in some cases.
However, we also need to avoid the cause which can include:
- Gripping tools and bike/motorbike handlebars hard
- Repetitious motions (typing, gaming consoles, guitar, piano, wind instruments, texting)
- Vibration tools
- Sleeping with the wrists bent at night (a hand brace to keep the wrist straight may be necessary)
- Poor ergonomic setup of your work desk (see my ergonomic video for help with that)
In severe cases, some people need to take a magnesium supplement to aid the healing of the nerve.
Stefan Becker
Barcelona Chiropractor