Carpal Tunnel Assistance?

Question

Things I can do help with the pain/damage?

Answer 1

The nurse where I work said to buy braces for that, you get them at walmart for about 15 bucks. Wear them at night, they keep the hand in an upright position to promote healing. and if you wear any kind of brace where you work then you need to alternate between wearing it and not, so you build up resistance. Wearing them all the time just weakens the wrist.

Answer 2

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve in the forearm or at the wrist where it goes through the carpal tunnel. There are a couple of things to try besides using a brace. First, you must determine where the nerve is compressed. I have treated numerous cases that are not coming from the wrist but from the forearm. Soft tissue work i.e. deep tissue massage works wonders for CTS. I usually massage the wrist area, the thumb muscles and the flexor tendons and muscles of the forearm. Also I use a taping method to support the wrist, not a brace, but since I can't help you directly, buy a brace for the wrist that has a metal bar in it, bend the bar so that your wrist stays flat, not bent up. The metal is usually easily bent. Try to use them when working with your hands and at night. For every hour in it, take it off for 15 minutes and when sitting around doing nothing with your hands (watching TV). It is difficult to treat on your own. I would try and find a physical therapist or a chiropractor that does soft tissue work such as ART (active release technique). If you google active release technique you will be able to find a provider in your area. Good luck and start care asap.

Answer 3

There are wrist splints you can buy at the drugstore that keep your wrist immobile and perfectly straight...wear them when you sleep at night. My husband has carpal tunnel from playing guitar and he finds that since wearing them he has great pain relief. If your symptoms are quite severe you may have to stop the action that is irritating the nerves in your arms, so if you are a secretary you will have to stop typing or if you are a guitarist you will have to stop playing. Your doctor can also refer you to a physical therapist for stretches and therapy that will relieve the nerve irritation.

Answer 4

could try paraffin dips, warm moist heat and wear splints also take a look at work station decrease repetitive things make sure things are set up ergonomically correct. If still not good could try PT different modalities Ionto, Ultrasound, E-stim?? Might need surgical intervention?? tough to say??? Hand/Ortho MD??