The Best Ways to Recognize and Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has become a major problem in today’s world. Finding ways to cope with the problem can keep you working and pain free.How much time does each of us, in today’s digital world spend at the keyboard? What are the chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome? If we work on a computer extensively, are we all going to end up wearing those ugly braces on our wrists?

Probably not!

There really is not much clinical evidence to support the theory that repetitive and or forceful hand and wrist movements at work and play can cause this disorder. Repetitive actions, preformed during the normal work day or other activities can cause problems, like bursitis and tendonitis but they are not carpal tunnel syndrome. Neither is writer’s cramp-the condition in which the lack of fine motor skill coordination and ache and pressure in the fingers, wrist and forearms brought on by too much repetitive activity.

Sometimes the exact cause of a specific case of this disorder cannot be pinned down. Usually it is the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and the tendons traveling through the carpal tunnel. Most likely the disorder was caused by a congenital predisposition, i.e. your carpal tunnel is too small to accommodate. Others include trauma and injury that cause swelling, an over active pituitary gland, hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis. Work stress, repeated use of vibrating hand tools, fluid retention, or mechanical problems in the wrist joint. In many cases the exact cause cannot be identified.

Women are three times more likely to develop this disorder than are men, possibly due to their usually smaller carpal tunnel. Workers in manufacturing and assemblers are much more likely to have this problem than data entry workers.  There are ways to lessen the chances of developing this condition. While at work, perform stretching exercises, rest as often as possible, wear braces to keep the wrist straight and wear fingerless gloves.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is preventable in most cases.

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