In our tech-saturated age, in which so many of us spend increasing amounts of time hunched over computers and smartphones, we may face growing concerns about the unintended consequences of our sedentary behaviors on our body and movement.
One of the most common fears as we age is symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome. We are especially at risk when we continue to carry out repetitive activities like hammering or typing away at a keyboard, which can be concerning to consider for those of us who increasingly spend large chunks of our waking hours over a keyboard or hammer for our work.
It may grow as an especially acute threat as you age, if you have genetic factors passed down, or if you have faced an injury to the wrist in the past.
In simplest terms, it involves pressure or stretching of the funny bone nerve or ulnar nerve found on the inner side of your elbow.
If you have confirmed or suspect that you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, you will undoubtedly have many questions about how to best care for your condition and quickly get back to feeling like your normal self.
You may know that you likely are suffering from the condition if part of your hand feels like it is going to sleep with a weak and numbing sensation. Many who experience it report tingling in their fingers, pain in the wrist, and strength loss.
Fortunately, you can explore several care approaches before turning to the prospect of potential surgery to address the condition affecting your hand and wrist.
The condition is relatively common and occurs when the median nerve – running from your hand to your forearm through a carpal tunnel – is compressed.
Some home remedies to consider first:
- Wrist splints; wearing a splint while you sleep can help ensure your hand stays properly aligned and does not overextend.
- Ice baths for up to 15 minutes can ease the pain and reduce swelling. Conversely, others swear by trying warm water remedies.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, or more advanced medications taken in consultation with a physician; some common options include naproxen and ibuprofen to address the pain.
- Making simple changes to your work environment; ergonomic concerns are top of mind now with more people than ever working from home in make-shift offices.
- You may find that small adjustments to chair height, keyboard positioning, and other factors can help you to quickly feel better.
If these remedies do not work, you may want to speak with a professional after a few weeks goes by to see what other options you may wish to pursue in treating the pain impacting your bones, joints, and muscles.
Our office is dedicated to helping you identify the optimal surgical options and recovery timelines to help you get back to your daily activities pain-free.