Carpal Tunnel Syndrome- Definition, Causes, and GUNN IMS as a Treatment
Carpal tunnel syndrome, or median compression, is a condition that makes the hand feel weak, numb or tingle. People experience this condition due to the pressure on the median nerve that travels the arm’s length, going through a passage in the wrist (carpal tunnel) that stops in the hand. The Median is responsible for controlling the thumb’s movement and feeling of each finger, excluding the pinkie. Treatment would usually involve therapy with a physiotherapist or surgery in the worst-case scenario.
Symptoms
Certain symptoms are associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome such as:
- A feeling of weakness in the hand and difficulty holding objects
- Burning sensation, tingling, or itchy feeling in an individual’s palm. Feeling numb is always associated with these symptoms as well, especially in the index, thumb, or middle fingers
- Upward movement of tingling into the arm
- Shock-like feeling going about the fingers
Symptoms may vary from each other during day and night. In some cases, an individual may feel like he has “fallen asleep” fingers while experiencing numbness at night. This is usually a result of how an individual holds his hands while asleep.
Waking up in the morning may be accompanied by numbness and tingling in the hands and even extends to the shoulder. You could notice the symptoms when holding an object bending your wrist in the daytime, especially while reading a book or driving.
Causes
An individual can develop this problem as a result of
- Pregnancy
- Various health issues such as obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and other related ones
- Engaging in a repetitive motion. These activities may include typing or other activities an individual engages in regularly that require lowering the hand wrists.
Risk Factors
The possibilities of developing carpal tunnel syndrome are high if you are
- A woman. The chances of developing the condition in women are three times higher. This may be because of the small carpal tunnels
- Having a family member whose carpal tunnel is short
- Engaging in any activity that requires making exact motions with the hands, wrists, arms, and more.
- Having a dislocated or fractured bone
Prevention
A few things are recommended to help an individual prevent the carpal tunnel syndrome
- Straight-keeping of the waists
- Keep your hands warm at all times
- Take breaks from repetitive activities involving the wrist
- Position the arms and wrists rightly while working
- Do not flex or extend wrists excessively
- The use of a splint will help in keeping the wrist in a neutral position
Treatment
Treating this condition is often based on the sign and symptoms. Progression of the condition can also affect the treatment option. However, an individual may require;
- Exercises such as stretching or strengthening move for a better feeling. It can also get better by engaging in nerve gliding exercises. A physical therapist should assign one to you.
- To reduce or prevent swelling, there may be a need for anti-inflammatory drugs. Talk to your physical therapist.
- There may be a need for surgery in some cases if other available means of treatment prove abortive. They will help to increase the tunnel size while easing the never pressure.
- If the symptoms in an individual are noticed as a result of lifestyle, there will be a need to take a break or refrain from such activity that is responsible for the pain.
- In some cases, treating carpal tunnel syndrome may require your physiotherapist to put on a splint to keep the wrists from any movement. This will help in pressure nerves from touching. Getting rid of night numbness or tingling feeling may require putting on a splint at night. This will not only help to rest the median nerve but all provide better sleep.
References
* Contact Reach Physiotherapy for a list of references used for this blog content.
