What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?There is a nerve which runs from the forearm into the hand, which is called the median nerve.When this nerve becomes squeezed at the wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs.Because of tramatization, there will be pain, weakness, or even numbness in the hand and wrist, which goes up into the arm.This nerve controls the feelings in the palm side of the thumb and fingers.It also controls some of the small muscles in the hand that gives you the ability to move your fingers and thumb.
You will suspect that you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome when you begin to have burning, tingling or numbness in the palm of your hand, fingers and thumb.Strangely enough, these symptoms often appear in one or both hands in the night while you are sleeping.Often Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by doing a lot of typing on the computer.
Often surgery is recommended as a cure, but surgery can be avoided by doing exercises.It is important to stretch your wrist and take breaks when at work.Wearing a wrist brace also helps.Using an ergonomic keyboard also helps as it helps you to maintain a natural position at your computer.
An exercise that seems to work quite well is to extend and stretch both wrists and fingers as you would if you were standing on your hands and hold that position for the count of five. Then, straighten both wrists and relax your fingers.After you have done this, make a tight fist with both hands, bending both wrists down while keeping the fist. Again, hold this for the count of five. Straighten both wrists and relax your fingers, while you count to five.It is important to repeat this exercise 10 times.After completion, let your arms hang loosely at your side and shake them for a couple of seconds. You can do this exercise in less than ten minutes.Try and do this exercise before you begin working in the morning and again a few times during the day.
You can also make a loose fist, keeping the palm upward and with the other hand press against the hand with the fist.Try and resist the force with the hand that is closed for the count of five, being sure to keep the wrist straight.Then turn your hand down and press it against your knuckles with the other hand for the count of five, then turn the palm so that the thumb is up and press down again for a count of five.Do this exercise with both hands.
You can also twist your wrist in circles.Twist your wrist in clockwise circles with the tips of your second and third fingers.Be sure to keep those two fingers up and close together.Again, repeat with the other hand.
Another carpal tunnel exercise is to hold your hand straight up with your fingers close together and your palm facing outward and bend your hand back toward your body.Hold this position for the count of five.Then separate your fingers and thumb and bend your hand back for another count of five and repeat with the other hand.
Your carpel tunnel symptoms can also be felt in the shoulders.To exercise your shoulders and also your neck, you must sit up straight and put one hand on top of the opposite shoulder.An example is to put your left hand on your right shoulder. While holding that shoulder down, slowly tip your head down toward down toward the left.Keep your face looking front and hold this position for the count of five.Repeat this again on the opposite side.
Aerobic exercises can also help you to either prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or help if you already have it.It is important to strengthen your muscles.Most athletes are free from this syndrome becauseof the exercise training that they go through.