Pain Relief for Carpal Tunnel?

Question

I'm on the computer a lot, and I have really bad carpal tunnel in my right (dominant) wrist. For the most part, it's just really annoying and stiff sometimes, but when it flares up (like its doing now) it absolutely kills. I try and wear my brace when I remeber to, but a lot of the times I dont. And also, I have to take it off when I type or else I can't type very well.

Is there anything I can do to help the pain? I'm a teenager, so big expensive bills and surgerys aren't really an option. So anything cheap and easy is good. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Just because you're a teen doesn't mean you don't need surgery. I've had carpal tunnel troubles off and on since I was 18 and worked in a factory. Still have some troubles....over 20 years later, depending on how much work I do with my hands.

Ibuprofen is best for reducing inflammation, and therefore reducing the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. If it's really bad, the doctor prescribed some prednisone to me occasionally, but these should be used carefully. Ice also helps occasionally, I ice my wrists for 15 minutes at a time on bad mornings. Are you sleeping in your splint as well? That may help.

Other than surgery, anti-inflammatory drugs, rest of the affected hand, and using your SPLINT are the best relief I can suggest.

Answer 2

The only really good medical study that investigated the effect of wearing a wrist spint on carpal tunnel symptoms involved wearing the splints overnight for 6 straight weeks. The patients in this group were compared to patients in another group who were otherwise the same, but received instruction sheets only. The splinted group did better. The point of my mentioning this is, while wearing the splint during the day might do some good too, that wearing it consistently overnight is a real treatment and won't get in the way of things you want to do while you're awake.

Answer 3

Go to a chemist and get some anti inflammatory pills.