Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome PainReliefSciences.com 1
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Table Of Content INTRODUCTION... 4 WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?... 5 SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS... 6 TREATMENT... 7 CONCLUSION... 9 PainReliefSciences.com 3
INTRODUCTION Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that can affect anyone over the course of their lifetime. It mostly affects working adults, with jobs that require a lot of repetitive movement of the wrist, and can result in a lot of pain and discomfort for sufferers. This report is going to go through what CTS is, what its symptoms are, how it is diagnosed and how it can be treated. This last part is very important, as early treatment of this condition is essential for a full recovery. PainReliefSciences.com 4
WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME? The wrist contains eight small carpal bones inside it, as well as a ligament that lies across the front of the wrist. Between these elements is a space that is called the carpal tunnel. Running through this are the tendons that attach the muscles in the forearms to the fingers and a main nerve to the hand, called the median nerve. This gives feeling to the fingers and controls the movement of the muscles at the base of the thumb. When someone uses their hands constantly - usually in a single, repetitive motion - the tendons can swell and press against the median nerve. This puts pressure on it and it starts to hurt. If it continues for an extended period of time, it can lead to nerve deterioration, resulting in the pain becoming constant and a loss of hand co-ordination. This is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and it is usually job-related. For example, a factory worker might make the same movements thousands of times a day, leading to CTS. PainReliefSciences.com 5
SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS It is important to be aware of the symptoms of CTS, as catching it early on can make all the difference. It usually starts with pins and needles, and numbness in the fingers, with the index and middle fingers usually affected first. This is followed by pain, which will steadily increase during the intermediate stages of CTS. The final stage results in almost constant pain and a loss of co-ordination. If you feel that you might have CTS, you need to deal with the issue as soon as you can. Early detection and treatment can mean the difference between a full recovery and the condition becoming irreversible. There are several tests used to diagnose CTS, and one of them can be performed at home. Called Phalen's test, all you have to do is bend your hands all the way forward, and then put the backs of your fingers together with your fingers pointing down. Hold your hands together gently for about a minute, and if you experience pain, tingling, or numbness, you might have this condition, and you should consult a doctor immediately. Once at the doctor, they will likely give you more tests to confirm a diagnosis. Once such test is the Tinel's test, where the doctor will tap your inner wrist, over the median nerve, asking whether you experience pain, numbness or tingling. If you do, you probably have CTS. Other tests include an X Ray, a CAT scan, or an MRI. PainReliefSciences.com 6
TREATMENT If you are diagnosed with CTS, there are several treatment methods, including physical therapies, nutritional therapies and medications that can aid in recovery. Surgery is also an option, but should be considered a last resort. The most important treatment will be physical therapy, as the problem is a mechanical one. One of the easiest treatments for CTS is to stop making the repetitive movements that led to the problem in the first place. In early cases, this can solve the problem. However, this can prove difficult, as it will likely require a change of jobs. If you cannot change your job, take as much of a break from the movement as possible, either via sick leave or just having constant breaks while at work. Another option is to wear a wrist splint. This keeps the wrist from flexing all the way backwards or forwards, and can also be worn at work and at night. A forearm brace is also a possible alternative for relieving the pain and pressure. PainReliefSciences.com 7
Icing the area in the early stages is also a good form of therapy. Doing it for ten minutes at a time will reduce swelling and inflammation. Cooling gel is also good for this. Massage can help too, as many people with CTS have tight muscles in the shoulders, neck and back. Acupuncture or magnetherapy have also been known to help. People with CTS have been shown to have vitamin B 6 deficiency, so supplementation of this is a good idea. It is recommended that you have 300mg daily for a approximately three months. Medications that can help include anti-inflammatory drugs, or natural antiinflammatory medications. However, side effects should be considered before taking any medication. The homeopathic remedies Bryonia and Rhus toxicodendron can also help, and can be picked up at most health stores. Traumeel can also reduce pain and inflammation, much like other pain gels. When the condition becomes too advanced, surgery can become the only option. During the operation, doctors will cut one of the ligaments in the wrist, thereby relieving the pressure on the median nerve. This is often an effective operation, but sometimes it won't work, if the nerve is too damaged. PainReliefSciences.com 8
CONCLUSION If you have a job that requires you to do a lot repetitive movements every day, you should always be on the lookout for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. As mentioned before, it is essential to diagnose and treat the condition as early as you possibly can, as this can make all the difference between fixing the problem and being in constant pain for the rest of your life. If you feel that you might have the symptoms, consult a doctor as soon as you can. PainReliefSciences.com 9