How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
July 21, 2010
It’s a fear that resonates with any person who relies on their hands for work: carpal tunnel syndrome.
Even if you’ve never experienced the sharp and frustrating pain of carpal tunnel syndrome, the symptoms are instantly recognizable. Because carpal tunnel affects the nerves and ligaments that connect the hands to the wrists, complaints from sufferers range from a persistent dull ache to a sharp pain that strikes whenever the wrist is moved. And for sufferers whose very careers reside on the ability to use their hands (for example, writers, IT programmers, computer programmers, etc.), carpal tunnel syndrome can derail productivity and even result in serious amounts of sick leave.
So how can you avoid carpal tunnel syndrome? The following techniques are surprisingly simple – just a few quick tweaks here and there, and your hands and wrists will remain pain-free!
- Because carpal tunnel syndrome often strikes those who use keyboards frequently (and inefficiently!), it’s important to ensure that your keyboard and computer are properly set up to promote your health and wellness. Your computer’s keyboard should be positioned at elbow level, and your hands, wrists and forearms should always be in a parallel line to the floor while you work.
Additionally, use a wrist pad with your keyboard, which is a cushion that is placed directly under your wrists while you type. This takes the stress off of your wrists while you work, thus minimizing your chances of getting carpal tunnel syndrome. - Exercise will strengthen the muscles that run adjacent to your nerves; however, some forms of exercise can exacerbate wrist strain and even lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. If you’re strength training (for example, you’re frequently using dumbbells or utilizing rowing machines), be sure to learn the proper methods for each piece of equipment. If you’re unsure, seek the advice of a professional who can show you proper posture and form during exercise.
- Be sure to take plenty of breaks at work, especially if you’ve been doing repetitive work such as typing on a keyboard. Take a walk around your office, shake out your hands and breathe in deeply as you stretch your arms. Keeping your muscles stretched out and warm will keep your nerves limber, which greatly reduces your chances of getting carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Correct posture plays a prominent role in preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. When working at a computer, always sit with your back straight and feet firmly planted on the floor. And always tap your keys lightly – experts cite heavy typing as one of the biggest causes of carpal tunnel syndrome among office workers.
When considering treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, our physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).
New Research on the “Double Crush” link to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
September 16, 2009
Bayonne and Scotch Plains Chiropractor Comments: Carpal tunnel syndrome patients often complain of neck pain. The same nerves that go through the wrist tunnel, emerge from the neck and can be compressed or irritated at the neck joints. If the nerve is pinched in these two areas, it has been referred to as a “double crush.” Because of this irritation at the neck, focusing only on the wrist for treatment may not be a comprehensive solution to this often debilitating problem.
Recent research (Russel BS. Chiro & Osteo 2008,162doi:10.1186/1746-1340-16-2) has reviewed the evidence for and against this linkage of two problems. Dr. Russel concludes if the wrist symptoms only involve sensation, rather than weakness, then the double crush link may be more tenuous. However, if you have a “motor” problem with a nerve, and experience weakness or loss of grip strength, then the implication of a problem also at the neck appears to be more relevant.
However, since many patients with carpal tunnel will also have neck pain, a trial of chiropractic care at both the wrist and neck is a conservative strategy that seems prudent and should be considered.
If your carpal tunnel symptoms developed after a neck injury or you also have pain into the upper arm or shoulder, these may be clues that your nerve is irritated in more than one location.
Getting to the cause of a problem, rather than just treating the symptoms, is a hallmark of specific chiropractic care. We can assist you with doing corrective wrist strengthening exercises and stretches, which may relieve pressure at the wrist tunnel. Some patients can benefit from nutritional counseling and even weight-loss strategies, since excessive weight is a risk factor for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Other patients may need simple ergonomic instruction such as modifying your posture at a workstation, to take pressure off of both the neck and wrist.
The important thing is get properly diagnosed, with x-rays if needed, to get a full and comprehensive picture of the actual problem. Simply limiting wrist motion with a splint may not be enough to make the wrist and hand both pain-free and functional. Many people only consider surgery or daily medications as their only alternatives and fail to consider natural and drug-free chiropractic care
To learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome, sign up for a free report, or click here to register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski services both Hudson County and Union County in New Jersey
Prompt Treatment for Better Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Results
August 31, 2009
Bayonne and Scotch Plains Chiropractor Comments: Many people suffer from CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) and unfortunately, often ignore the initial symptoms of numbness or tingling in the hand(s). These early symptoms are typically not too alarming and hence, they often do not raise the level of concern until more intense symptoms occur; such as waking up from sleep due to numbness, dropping items, difficulty buttoning clothing, needing to switch hands when driving, difficulty writing, typing, knitting, as well as work related pain. There may also be fear of job loss associated with CTS, especially in these hard economic times with frequent layoffs, prompting CTS sufferers to postpone initial care. Unfortunately, delaying treatment is associated with a longer recovery time when compared to prompt management which usually results in a quicker, less complicated and more satisfying recovery.
There are many causes and contributing factors of CTS. The most prevalent cause is mechanical irritation from simply moving the hands too fast for too long, without enough rest. Another risk factor is age (over 50 years old). In this era of an aging workforce, this may be a significant issue. Fast, repetitive movements of the arms and hands are often a direct cause and can be appreciated by watching someone knit rapidly and/or performing line work using fast, repetitive movements. If the hands/wrists have to bend in awkward positions to accomplish a work task, or if a tool that is frequently used places pressure in the palm of the hand, these can also contribute to the onset or perpetuation of CTS. Other conditions can also contribute to CTS including inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid, diabetes, pregnancy, the use of birth control pills, obesity and hypothyroidism.
The management of CTS is case specific, and is dependent on which of the above mentioned causes or contributors are present. Management of any metabolic disorder such as diabetes or hypothyroid is important, especially compliance with taking appropriate medication, when indicated. The management of weight, hormone replacement therapy, and fluid retention all play a role in CTS management. Ergonomic or job-related management strategies are very important and can include work station modifications so that unnecessary awkward arm/wrist/hand positions can be avoided. This may require moving the item being worked on to a less stressful position, using a different type of tool handle (screw driver, etc.), changing the height or reach distance at which the material is worked on, and taking “mini-breaks” every ½ to 1 hour when the lack of rest is a contributor.
To learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome, sign up for a free report, or click here to register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Chludzinski services both Union county and Hudson County.
Should you have surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
July 1, 2009
Believe it or not, I get a lot of post carpal tunnel surgery patients coming to my office because their pain has returned, and often has increased after the surgery. There is a pretty simple explanation. The surgery involves cutting open the wrist, and anytime you have surgery, you will inevitably get some amount of scar tissue as a result. The carpal tunnel region is very limited in space and so the amount of room the nerves and tendons have to pass through is already tight. Post surgery scar tissue can actually cause the tendons in that region to become bulkier or thicker, which tends to cause further irritation, the same kind of irritation the surgery is supposed to be curing. So many patients do experience post-surgery symptoms very similar to their original carpal tunnel symptoms.
Whether you have had surgery or not, our office has a therapy program tailored to each individual, and we’ve seen amazing long-term success with patients that suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The first thing we do with any new patient is make sure your diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is correct. After that, and depending on the location of your pain (some people also get pain or irritation in their shoulder and neck as well as the wrist and hand), we develop a therapy program specifically tailored to you. We will use cold laser therapy to decrease the inflammation in the nerve and tendon so the nerve is not entrapped, and then back it up with a lot of rehab. The rehab is really what sets up apart from other Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatments. After we reduce inflammation, we work on building strength in the muscles and tendons in the wrist and arm to make sure the injury doesn’t reoccur.
What are the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Constant pain in the wrist or hand, and/or numbing or tingling in fingers is the most common symptom. Most patients with this condition have a very difficult time performing normal activities like buttoning a shirt or grasping a cup of coffee. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is irritation of the median nerve, which runs along with tendons from the neck all the way to down to the wrist.
To learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome, sign up for a free report, or click here to register for a Free, In- Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, feel free to give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location call us at 908-490-1880. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $245 Value).
Article by Dr. Eric Chludzinski, DC. Dr. Chludzinski is the founder of Hudson Center for Spinal Care located in Bayonne and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In preparation for his career, Dr. Chludzinski attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science. He continued his studies at Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA graduating in the class of 2002 as a Doctor of Chiropractic.
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