Can I possibly have Carpel Tunnel? How can I relieve it?

Question

Yes, whenever I try and hold up four fingers, my thumb hurts. Can I have carpel tunnel? I read somewhere that aching in the wrist and thumb is a sign.

If I do have it, are there any excersices to relieve it?
I don't want surgery.

Oh and... I don't wanna cut down my computer time, so I'll try the bandage and Bengay thing. :)

Answer 1

Hi! I am a massage therapist and have taken a course on Repetitive Injury Therapy. Yes there are exercises. Surgery will treat the pain, but not the cause. The cause of the pain is not in the wrist it is in the muscles of your forearms. Massage these muscles as well as your hand. Use a hot water bottle or gel pack. If you refuse to cut back on texting or keyboard use or whatever repetitive motion you are doing with your hands, then at least do these exercises once every hour.
Stretch out your arm, then with your opposite hand grip around the arm just below your elbow. Put slight pressure like pinching. Then move your hand up and down without moving your upper arm. Slowly move your hand down the forearm, choosing a new spot along those muscles pinch down and move your hand up and down. This may be painful at first because those muscles are so tight. Continue down the arm until you reach the wrist.
Rest and good health will speed healing. Drink lots of water. Go get a massage, see if anyone in your area specializes in treating clients with carpal tunnel. I hope I explained the exercise okay, it is much easier to demonstrate in person. I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

It is possible but you need to look at your daily routine and try to see if there is a reason that is causing this pain. Carpel tunnel is usually caused by excessive use of your fingers like typing all day, playing the piano or other instruments, and doing other activities with your fingers alot. Numbness and having your hands and arms fall asleep uncontrollably are a big sign of it, and there are braces you can wear to bed or at other times to alleviate the falling asleep of the hands. Do you put any force on your thumb or hold something tightly all day? look at what you do and then try to stop or find other ways to do it, this will most likely alleviate the pain. otherwise you may have to go see a doctor if it progresses or there is no cause for it

Answer 3

Hey Beth , yeah i understand your pain cause... i do have carpal tunnel in both my hands and yes Gods been good to allow me to keep answering questions to all the folks out here in Yahoo land and it's been a real JOY but i don't know of any exercises to do to relieve the pain and yeah it hurts me from my elbow alllllll the way down to my fingers and they go numb and fall asleep the other solution is to keep your hands down at least that's what helps somewhat with it at times and then other times not . Surgery is the only thing that will help mine and you should have test run to see if that's what that is with you and if you find any exercises that are out there for it PLEASE E-MAIL ME @ [e-mail] HOPE YOU GET TO FEELING BETTER . !!!!

Answer 4

yes it is hard to beleive but you have the symtoms of it. i wouldnt do any exercise because it will make the pain worse and a doctor can tell you exactly what you can do. when it gets painful enough you will need surgery to correct the problem. as you get older you will need surgery or you wont be able to work.the sign of this is pain in the joints of the wrists and thumb and since you dont want surgery you will when the pain is so bad that you will cry

Answer 5

Do you work w/ your hands? If so- get a good wrist brace- it should hold your hand in a slightly cupped position.

Go to a doctor for more surgery-avoiding tips.

Answer 6

Ben Gay and a thermal wrap and rest also a brace as a reminder to take it easy cause pain is your bodies way of saying hey give me a break.

Answer 7

you wanna stop using a PC and mouse and at least cut it down. Also ensure you are typing properly. best to see a rheumatologist. i know cos I had it and I'm ok now but you have to stop whats causing it because its a RPI

Answer 8

I HAVE IT AND THEY SAY TO BEND YOUR THUMB TOWARD TE INSIDE OF YOUR ARM, THEY SAY THAT IT OPENS UP THE TUNNEL. I HAD A TEST FOR IT ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO AND THEY USED NEEDLES AND POKED YOU WITH THEM WITH WIRES ON THEM, AND IT SHOCKS YOU. I DON'T EVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN. THEY HAVE HAND BRACES THAT YOU CAN PUT ON AT YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY.

Answer 9

if u used the computer alot good chance u do try massage deep tiss will help out alot