Carpal tunnel syndrome is a neurological syndrome that comes into effect when excessive pressure takes a toll on the median nerve that runs along the carpal tunnel (in other words, nerve compression). Though a common post-injury syndrome after wrist injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome can even find its way to you even without accidents.
Lifestyle diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are the top diseases that make its victims highly susceptible to the syndrome. Pregnancy and old age also make people vulnerable to it. If left untreated, it does not take long for the tingling sensations to grow voraciously and affect daily life by interfering in coordination and strength.
Symptoms That Are Red Flags!
Carpal tunnel syndrome is largely concerned with the compression on your median nerve that runs along with the hand into your fingers. Hence, the major symptoms you see are a consequence of these nerve lines.
- Numbness and tingling sensation on fingers except for the little finger. Sometimes they may elevate to a burning sensation.
- These symptoms show prominent effects during nighttime (sleep period).
- Weakness and clumsiness are associated with the thenar area (the part along the line where the wrist connects to your thumb).
- A slight pressure on the nerve area drastically escalates the symptoms.
Though these are major tell-tale signs, carpal tunnel syndrome is clinically diagnosed. A clinical diagnosis helps you validate the symptoms and turn to the appropriate treatment method without losing time. In addition, advancements in medical sciences have made it possible to limit growth and provide a permanent solution if started earlier. Along with it, strict control on lifestyles and physical exercises can help in the reversal process naturally.
Exercise To Make Part Of Your Lifestyle!
Exercises should not exert more pressure on the nerve as it can also lead to damaging them and deteriorating the symptoms. Moreover, if the syndrome has progressed considerably over the years, exercise alone is insufficient to treat it.
However, physical exercises are an excellent way to recover and prevent post-surgery traumas if coupled with other treatment modes.
Here Are A Few Exercises Classified According To Their Effect!
Pain-Relieving Exercise
- Shake it Off: Especially helpful when the pain increases during nighttime, you can gently shake the wrist till the pain subsides. Hanging it off the sides of the bed may also decrease the pain.
- Rest: What your wrist demands is less exertion. Avoid doing activities that elevate the symptoms. If symptoms occur in between, stop the activity and take some rest.
- Brace them: Braces might help if the syndrome is in its early stages. Consult a doctor on where and how long you should use a brace.