How do I Prevent Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a commonly-occurring medical condition when the median nerve of the hand is compressed at the wrist. This is the nerve that runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, and its dysfunction results in extreme forms of numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands.

You may have heard of it, and that's why you are googling: How do I prevent carpal tunnel? Most often, you will see people doing repetitive tasks like office work, assembly line work, or playing instruments suffer from this disease. In order to avoid suffering from this condition, you may identify causes and symptoms early to get the best treatment possible.

 

How do I Prevent Carpal Tunnel?

• Widely Applicable Advice to Prevent Carpal Tunnel

To stop the carpal tunnel, the first thing is to minimize repetitive hand and wrist movements as much as possible. If your daily routine tasks require repetition, you will need to vary your activities so that the same set of muscles do not come under stress every time.
The second most important thing is to give your hands' muscles a break. This can easily be done by taking some minutes off every hour and stretching or moving your hands during this time. It will also help alleviate pressure on the median nerve.
Wearing wrist braces also prevents carpal tunnel. It keeps your wrist in neutral positions during repetitive tasks and reduces pressure on the median nerve. But the key is to use them right, as overuse could lead to dependency or other issues.

1. Pay Attention to Body Posture

Our body has sensitive muscles that are prone to injury when we sit with poor posture on a daily basis. Keeping your back straight every time you sit and your shoulder relaxed is the way to avoid a chain reaction in the body parts that may trigger wrist problems.

2. Pay Attention to Wrist Posture

Another way to prevent CTS syndrome is to keep your wrists in a neutral position when doing office work. Try not to bend them up or down for long periods. If your job involves typing or using a computer for a long time, keep your wrists in line with your forearms.

3. Ergonomic Office Environment

One of the simplest ways to maintain proper sitting posture and avoid CTS conditions is to use ergonomic office furniture and accessories. For instance, use desks and chairs that are specifically designed to help with proper sitting posture. Also, get your hands on premium quality accessories like curved mice, headrests, armrests, and wrist rests to reduce strain on parts of your body.

4. Take Breaks Regularly

It's easy to get carried away in your office work to the extent that you start ignoring the needs of your body. That is why it is important to set a time and take small breaks regularly, during which you need to bend and stretch both of your hands to relieve tension.

5. Keep Both Hands Warm

Cold environments are known to make your hands and wrists stiff. During cold weather, keep your hands warm, possibly with gloves or hand warmers, to maintain flexibility in your wrists and reduce discomfort.
 

How to Determine If You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Even though these answers to "How do I prevent carpal tunnel" have proven practical, they are not a guarantee against developing the condition. Wrist or hand numbness, tingling, or pain are some early signs of carpal tunnel, and you should see a doctor to get the right diagnosis.

There are various methods to diagnose this condition:

1. Physical Examination

The first thing a doctor can do is to perform Tinel's test to check your wrist for problematic behavior. In this test, the doctor taps or presses on the median nerve at the wrist. If this causes tingling or a shock-like sensation in the fingers, it is mostly an indication of CTS.
Another common test for CTS is known as Phalen's test. The doctor will ask you to press the backs of your hands together with your wrists flexed and hold this position for about a minute. If this muscle maneuver induces numbness or tingling in the fingers, it is a strong indicator of CTS.

2. Electrodiagnostic Tests

There are also electrodiagnostic tests to further determine the cause. Some of them are: 

Electromyography tests are also used to diagnose CTS when EMG is used to assess the electrical activity of muscles to see if there is some muscle damage due to prolonged nerve compression.

3. Auxiliary Examinations

Here is what to do in this scenario:

1. Conservative Treatment

There are different methods that are widely used to treat CTS. Some of them are:

• Wear splints or braces, especially at night

Note again: Check for the right type for your condition and remember not to overuse it.

• Have anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen or naproxen

Note: You should have medications under a healthcare professional's guidance.

• Corticosteroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Ultrasound therapy

2. Surgical Treatment

If everything else fails, the last option can be surgical treatment. The most common surgery for CTS is carpal tunnel release. This procedure involves cutting the ligament that presses on the median nerve to create more space in the carpal tunnel, thereby reducing nerve compression and improving symptoms.

3. Improvement of the Work Environment

It's never too late to adapt to an improved and healthy work environment, like using ergonomically designed equipment, taking regular breaks, and maintaining a proper posture. Doing this works in an effective way and helps you soothe hand and wrist discomfort that can otherwise hinder your ability to live a normal life.

It should be mentioned that carpal tunnel syndrome is not the only reason leading to wrist and hand problems. But you can find effective methods to support hand and wrist health in the answer to the question: How do I prevent carpal tunnel? Always a healthcare professional can offer you a personalized assessment and treatment approach.
If you have similar problems and need a solution to ease your discomfort/ pain, Fivali might have what you need. Here, we have wrist braces for different hand/ wrist/ thumb conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel, ganglion cyst, and tendonitis. Visit Fivali to see which one is best suited for you!