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Carpal Tunnel Symptom Relief - The Good and the Bad


By Tom Nicholson

You probably already know about the nightmare that carpel tunnel syndrome can be to deal with. You have probably heard of the condition from a friend or co-worker that has battled it an know that you want no part of it. You may be thinking that you should take some steps to prevent this from happening to you. If you work in an office, are a construction worker or an athlete, you are probably wise to think like this. Anyone that uses their hands a repetitive way is at risk and should take steps to prevent carpel tunnel syndrome.

We always think our hands will be there for us. We don't mind when we get a little burn or scratch from a pet. It seems that our hands can take a beating and just keep on going. The truth is that our hands are extremely valuable to us, and we need them to carry out countless chores throughout the day. But for those of us who use them in our daily jobs, they become even more valuable. You'd think people would take more preventative measures to keep their hands in tip-top shape!

But what is carpal tunnel syndrome and how does it affect our hands? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that starts off with tingling, numbness or cold feeling in the hands. These symptoms can also be present in the forearm and elbow depending on the amount of time the symptoms have been present. For some people, even loss of functionality in the hands and fingers can result, causing temporary loss in productivity at the job and possibly even weeks of rehabilitation? Other conditions may occur if you adjust your body to ease the pressure on your wrists such as back pain, neck pain or even shoulder pain.

Carpel tunnel syndrome will occur when a nerve that runs the entire length of the arm, the median nerve, becomes compressed at the wrist. The compression happens when the transverse carpal ligament becomes tight under pressure. This ligament is important because it allows for maneuverability of the hands by binding nerves and ligaments together at the wrist. If the hands are not kept loose and free of stress, there will likely be discomfort of pain in the area. Fortunately there are some habits that can be acquired that will prevent this from taking place.

While some people may consider surgery for carpal tunnel pain, you may want to think twice. After all, the procedure does involve severing the transverse carpal ligament in the hopes that it will relieve the stress on the median nerve. While it does tend to give immediate pain relief, the lasting effects are unknown and can be devastating if not properly considered.

The one principle that should be considered when looking for relief from carpel tunnel pain, is how it can be done in a non-invasive and natural way. The first thing to look at is your eating and exercise habits. If your body is getting the proper nutrients it will be able to fight the effects of the carpel tunnel syndrome more effectively. Think about taking a few extra breaks while you are working in order to your hands a chance to rest. In addition to these steps, stretch and loosen you your wrist occasionally to keep them from becoming overly stressed. It will help to shake the hands occasionally to keep the blood flowing to the hands and fingers. Last but not least, good posture is critical when trying to prevent carpel tunnel syndrome.

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