Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common and frustrating condition that causes pain in the wrist and tingling and numbness in the fingers. It occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed in the carpal tunnel (found on the inside of the wrist).
Carpal tunnel syndrome is most common in office workers or those who use repetitive wrist movements. The most common presentation is pain on the underside of the wrist accompanied by tingling and numbness, typically in the thumb, index, and middle finger, and sometimes in the ring finger.
Why Do We Get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
There are many reasons why you may get carpal tunnel syndrome. Here are a few of the most common:
1. Repetitive Motion of the Hand and Wrist
The most common cause of Carpal tunnel is repetitive hand and wrist activities, particularly if your wrist is in full extension or flexion. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is typically found in office workers who type with their wrists flexed or extended for long periods. It’s also common in construction workers, particularly those who use vibrating tools.
2. Genetic Predisposition
Some people have a naturally smaller carpal tunnel than others, which can predispose them to Carpal tunnel Syndrome. The condition is 3 times more common in women, usually because we have much smaller carpal tunnels.
4. Workplace Ergonomics
Having a poor setup at work can predispose you to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). If your table isn’t the right height or the keyboard is badly positioned, this can lead to repetitive motion in flexed, extended, or twisted positions, putting extra strain on the tendons and, hence, on the carpal tunnel
3. Other Health Conditions
Many underlying health conditions can predispose you to CTS. Most commonly, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism & obesity.
What Can You Do About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
There are several different treatments you can use to treat CTS. These include:
1. Optimize Ergonomics
If you have carpal tunnel, the first thing you can do is try to correct the problem that caused it. Look at your desk station and try to rearrange it so you are typing straight with your wrists. Often, this means adjusting the height of the table and chair. The correct height of the chair should be so that you can have your toes on the floor and only just be able to get your heels down.
From here, you want to adjust the table so that your elbows are at right angles. If the desk is too high, which is most often the case in CTS, and you can’t get a replacement, just raise the seat up. You’ll need to speak to HR if your chair doesn’t raise. Also, get a gel wrist rest and an ergonomic keyboard (these bend a little to keep the wrists straight.
2. Anti Inflammatory Treatments
My top tip for reducing carpal tunnel syndrome is to gently rub a little caster oil on the inside of the wrist. Castor oil is anti-inflammatory and contains nutrients that help the carpal tunnel heal. If your CTS is mild, this may be all you need.
3. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the first line of recommended treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Your physiotherapist will give you strengthening and stretching exercises, including nerve gliding exercises, to help loosen the tension. Your physio can give you a wrist splint, treat you with ultrasound, laser therapy, hot and cold therapy, or give you a corticosteroid injection.
4. Surgery
In many cases of Carpal tunnel Syndrome (5-55%), the symptoms will reoccur or be too severe to treat with physiotherapy. Surgery is an effective treatment for CTS.
Future developments in CTS treatment
There’s currently a lot of research into CTS treatments. More recent studies show greater effectiveness in treating the condition conservatively. New surgical techniques have been developed, although these have similar outcomes to previous techniques.
Final Notes
CTS can be managed effectively through ergonomic adjustments, anti-inflammatories, exercises, and therapy. Please visit our site for more info about Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
