What are the options for carpal tunnel other than surgery?

Question

I have numbness and tingling in both my hands and pain in my shoulders and hands

Answer 1

I don't know if it's too late or not, but there are exercises you could've been doing. They still might help to ease the pain.
Stretch your arms out in front of you and.....
Make fists and rotate them, first one way then the other.
Do the same with your fingers spread.
Hands open, aim them towards the sky, then the floor.
For the neck, tilt to the right, then left. As far as you can towards your shoulder and hold for a count of 5. Do neck rolls also.
Shoulders- do the lift up and roll back, lift up and roll forward.
Push yourself so you feel it in your neck and wrists.
Do them all to a count of 10 (or more after you're used to them).
The operators where I work do them in the morning, and several times during the day.
I think they should be done every 20 min or so. You know, rotate wrists (which takes less than 30 sec.), 20 min later do the shoulders, 20 min later do another exercise, etc.
Don't sleep on your arms either. Try a heating pad, and Alleve.
Good Luck

Answer 2

Early on, two options might be (1) wearing a brace on the wrist and (2) stopping the activity that is causing it. These may prevent further damage to the nerve. However, it sounds as though yours has progressed beyond the point where interventions can help. In this case, surgery is the only remaining option.

Don't postpone it, as permanent damage can result. If you have insurance, no problem. If not, and it's a work-related injury, your employer will cover it (Worker's Comp). I've had it done on both wrists and it's no big deal. Day surgery, fast and routine, you can even watch if you're not squeamish. After surgery, no further problems - ever!

Answer 3

Surgery is not usually needed for carpel tunnel. See your doctor, he can give you splints that will keep the hands in a positions so the carpel nerve is not being compressed. This allows the swelling to go down it usually takes a month or two of wearing the splints to clear the problem up. He can also give you a medication like nerurontin that are used specifically for nerve pain.

Answer 4

firstly you need to assess how you are using your hands - if you do alot of typing, you need to make sure your hands are positioned correctly so that you dont cut off circulation by straining your wrists.

Try to get yourself one of those wrist guards, with the metal splint inside and use it especially when you go sleep at night, but also for the first few days to get your arms in the correct position..

if all else fails, try water-tablets (antidiuretics) but mayb only half in the morning to ease water retention which can be playing on your joints - consult with your doctor who may refer you to a joint specialist. I know the surgery is the last resort...

Answer 5

you can get a steriod injection that might help the pain go away for a few months, you can go to physical therapy. I think having surgery is your best be though. It is a short surgery and the recovery period is short. And you will be able to use your hands pain free.

Answer 6

1. excercise by gripping a hard ball
2. paraffin treatment 15 minutes 2x a day
3. submerge in a tolerable hot water to stimulate circulation
4. put a brace to immobilize the area during sleep
5. avoid using the affected area too much

Answer 7

change your position, get off the computer if your carpal tunnel is attributed to using the computer for prolong periods of time. try using more ergonomic devices.

lastly surgury.

Answer 8

Chiropractor can really, really help.


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