Monday, August 17, 2009

Hand & Wrist Positions for make less painful CT Symptoms Pain

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!

Exactly what is carpel tunnel syndrome and what effect does it have on our hands? Carpel tunnel syndrome is a condition that can grow to be very painful. It usually starts with a tingling, numbness or a cold feeling in one or both hands. These symptoms can be felt in the forearm or elbow as well depending on how long they have been present. Some people experience a loss of functionality in the fingers or hands which can cause a temporary loss of producticity at work. Sometimes several weeks of rehabilitation are need to restore use of the hands and fingers. Other conditions such as neck pain, shoulder pain, or back pain can result if you adjust your body unconsciously to take pressure off of the wrists.

When the median nerve, which spans the length of the arm becomes compressed at the wrists, carpel tunnel syndrome will likely occur. The compression happens if the transverse carpal ligament is put under too much pressure and becomes tight. The transverse carpal ligament is important because it binds nerves and ligaments together at the wrist and allow for functionality and maneuverability in the hands. When the hands are not stress free and loose, they are vulnerable to discomfort and pain. There is some good news though. There are some steps that can be taken that can prevent this from happening to you.

Many people will automatically consider having surgery to relieve the pain of carpel tunnel syndrome, but this should be carefully considered. Since surgery involves severing the transverse carpel ligament, the results could be devastating if not done properly. The long term effects are still unknown so this option should be careful consideration.

The best principle to think about for carpal tunnel symptom relief is how can you do it in a natural, non-invasive way? The first thing to think about is your exercise and eating habits. The more nutrients your body has available, the better it will be able to combat the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome. Also, consider taking more regular breaks so that you can give your hands time to rest. Aside from those things, try to do some stretches and loosening of the wrist to keep things loose. It even helps to shake your hands every once in a while to get the circulation flowing. Lastly, good posture is a critical for the prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome!

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