Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that causes pain and numbness in the hand. This happens when the median nerve, which is the nerve responsible for the palm’s sense of touch and the movement of the three largest fingers, is compressed. Compression of the median nerve can cause a number of symptoms, from a slight tingling sensation in the fingers to a sharp pain radiating up the arm.
Available treatment for CTS
CTS treatment starts with altering what you’ve been used to doing, and ensuring that you’re using the best posture, position, and practice at all times. Some of these tips include keeping wrists straight while sleeping or handling tools, taking frequent rest breaks from your activity, and doing stretching exercises regularly.
An article by Julie Donnelly, LMT teaches readers how to do stretching exercises correctly to prevent or reduce CTS.
Open your fingers up wide, really stretching out your hand and then rotate your wrists in large circles. You will feel the stretch in your hands and your forearms.
Stretch your forearm muscles by holding your arm straight out, putting your flat hand so it is pointing up, and then taking your opposite hand to pull it back. Then reverse the movement by bending your wrist so your flat hand is pointing down and using your opposite hand to enhance the bend.
Roll your shoulders in a circle going up and back.
Lean your head back so you are looking at the ceiling, than slightly turn so your cheekbone is facing the ceiling.
Pull your shoulders all the way down toward the floor while tilting your head to the side. You’ll get an even better stretch by then slightly turning your head in several directions.
If symptoms persist, an Eagle River urgent care physician can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to minimize swelling and reduce your symptoms. Cortisone injections may also provide relief for extreme sufferers.
Surgery is an option
Surgery is advised when CTS has already become severe, or fails to respond to conservative treatment. In a CTS case, surgery is meant to decrease pressure on the median nerve by expanding the carpal canal. CTS surgery is typically an outpatient procedure.
Who to talk to for treatment and information?
If you want to have your CTS examined, or if you are interested in learning more about CTS and its corresponding treatments, feel free to talk to an internist from a dependable Eagle River, AK urgent care like Primary Care Associates.
(Source: FIVE STRETCHES THAT RELIEVE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME, Health Tips from the Professor)
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