Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition of the wrists and forearms that not only causes discomfort but also affects work performance. However, many of you still have this problem but do not fully understand it, in this article we will learn together about the causes of the syndrome, the symptoms that you should pay attention to and effective treatment. results to reduce pain and restore health.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist. It occurs when there is pressure on a nerve in the wrist called the median nerve. This nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index and middle fingers, and half of the ring finger.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually begin gradually and include:
- Stinging or numbing sensations: You may feel stinging and numbness in your fingers or hands. Usually the thumb and index, middle or ring fingers are affected, you may feel an electric shock-like sensation in these fingers.
- You feel your fingers are swollen.
- Weak hands: Your hand strength can be weak and drop objects, difficult to hold the steering wheel to drive, hold a book to read, write words, use the computer keyboard.
- Pain or tingling spreading from the forearm toward the shoulder.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve runs from the arm along the inside of the wrist (carpal tunnel) to the hand. It provides sensation to the fingers, except the little finger. It also provides nerve signals to move the muscles around the base of the thumb (muscle function).
Anything that presses on or irritates the median nerve can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Wrist fractures can narrow the carpal tunnel and irritate the nerve, as well as the swelling and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. But besides that, a combination of many factors can completely contribute to the development of this condition. To know the exact cause, it is best to see a specialist for advice.
How to improve carpal tunnel syndrome
There is no proven method to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, but you can reduce stress on your hands and wrists with these methods:
- Force reduction: If your work involves cash registers or keyboards, for example, press the keys gently.
- Take frequent short breaks: Occasionally, gently pull and flex the hand and wrist.
- Improve your sitting posture: Improper posture pulls the shoulders forward, shortens the neck and shoulder muscles, and compresses the nerves in the neck. This can affect the wrists, fingers and hands, and cause neck and shoulder pain.
- Keep hands warm: You are at a higher risk of hand pain and stiffness if you work in cold environments. If you can't control the temperature at work, wear fingerless gloves to keep your hands and wrists warm.
- Use therapy Trigger Points and dry needles.
Some exercises to relieve wrist pain
1. Rotate the wrist
- With your hands together (palms facing the ground), slowly control your wrists up and down.
- Continuing to hold hands (palms facing each other), slowly control wrists up and down.
2. Stretching arm muscles
- Place your hands together under your chin in a prayer position.
- Push your hands down to your waist until you feel a moderate stretch.
- Hold for up to 30 seconds, repeating two to four times.
Nguyen hopes that the above sharing will be effective and useful for your situation. Besides, there are also many articles on health and yoga therapy at Nguyen's blog, especially Youtube channel Nguyen has many other useful exercises and movements, please follow and look forward to Nguyen!
References
Mayoclinic – Carpal tunnel syndrome
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