Carpal Tunnel
Updated Oct. 13th, 2017
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common type of repetitive strain injury. It occurs when the median nerve is compressed in the carpal tunnel that is located on the palmer side of the wrist. This nerve supplies the palm, thumb and first three fingers. When the nerve supply is decreased symptoms such as numbness, tingling and pain in the first three fingers and thumb is reported.
The muscles may eventually weaken and atrophy causing clumsiness. Carpal tunnel syndrome must be distinguished from nerve entrapment elsewhere in the arm, shoulder or back that may cause similar symptoms.
The median nerve can be compressed by physical activity. Computer workers, musicians, athletes, hairstylists, jackhammer operators, assembly line workers and any other individual who performs repeated movements with their wrists and fingers are susceptible to this cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. The nerve can also be compressed by pressure from fluid or other body tissues. This occurs with conditions such as diabetes, bone spurs, inflammatory arthritis and pregnancy.
Conventional treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome involves avoidance of aggravating activities, wrist splints and anti-inflammatory medication. Surgery is performed as a last resort; when permanent muscle and nerve damage is threatening.
Ergonomic aids for reducing carpal tunnel problems are as follows. Use your whole hand to grip an object. When using a keyboard, keep your elbows bent, wrists and hands in a straight line and your forearms parallel to the floor. Use a “wrist rest” pad to alleviate pressure on the carpal tunnel.
Shake out your hands periodically. Perform stretching exercises such as wrist rotations. Strengthen the area with exercises. For example, place a rubber band around your fingers and open and close the fingers in sets of ten.
Pay attention to your sleep position to ensure that it does not strain the wrists.
There are diet changes that can be made to manage and decrease symptoms of carpal tunnel that focus on decreasing inflammation. Salt causes the body to retain water so avoiding excess salt and processed food, which is typically high in salt, will decrease swelling and water retention. Some foods actually increase joint inflammation and should be minimized to decrease carpal tunnel: dairy, eggs, meat, rhubarb, parsley, asparagus, spinach, beets, chard and cabbage. The following foods should be increased to see a reduction in swelling: pineapple, avocados, bananas, nuts, potatoes, whole grains, sweet potatoes, chicken and nutritional yeast. Weight loss could also benefit carpal tunnel sufferers if the individual is obese which puts a strain on the canal.
Wow! The information provided about carpal tunnel was not only informative but I love that they tell you how to treat it with natural supplements and exercise. I am definitely going to be using your site to research a lot more about different ailments.
Hello Jill,
Thank you for your amazing comment! We love hearing how our article's are helping people like yourself take control of your health and well-being the natural way. We work hard on these articles so you can have the knowledge. Enjoy the other articles and don't forget about our youtube channel as well!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBjYPog9j0VY0gcIt-Tq2Q
Stay healthy and well!
This is really good info. Thank you for the article! When I had Carpal Tunnel many years ago, what helped me the most was Vitamin B6. Really good stuff but patience is what is required to attain the benefits of B6. Bromelain is also really good because it works as an anti inflammatory. I prefer the natural route, but it does take time to feel the benefits in some cases and I’m glad I persevered.
Hello ALK,
Super! Always like hearing how natural health helps our lovely customers overcome their health concerns and pain! Thank you for sharing what worked for you. If you have any future concerns, we're always here to help.
Have a healthy day!
Despite their limitations, carpal tunnel exercises might help:
To complement another treatment. Carpal tunnel exercises might help mild to moderate symptoms when combined with other treatments, such as changing your activities, wrist splinting or corticosteroid injections.
After surgery to prevent nerve scarring. Range-of-motion exercises — which may include nerve-gliding exercises — might help heal significant trauma to the wrist, such as a wrist fracture that requires surgery or repair near the carpal tunnel.
If your doctor recommends carpal tunnel exercises, start them gradually to ensure they don't cause more harm than good.
Hello Paul,
Carpal tunnel can be very painful. Adding in rehabilitation exercises can be beneficial, thank you for sharing. Along with a diet that excludes inflammatory foods and supplements that support this health concern, you may find relief. We're glad you're enjoying all of our health concern articles.
Stay healthy & well!
I enjoyed this article. Knowing more about Carpal Tunnel is very helpful, especially in the current digital age where we often perform repetitive movements as part of our jobs. I found it really helpful to learn about the ergonomics, stretching exercises and shaking out your hands, as well as being mindful of sleeping positions which is something that I would not have thought about. Very helpful, thank you! Wrist rest is important to remember, especially during busy days.
Hello,
Thank you for your comment, we're thrilled you enjoyed our article and thank you for sharing some of your tips as well. If you'd like to learn more about some of the suggested supplements, check out this article on B vitamins:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/vitamin-b-4/
Have a healthy day!