Chiropractor Federal Way WA | The Light At The End Of The Carpal Tunnel
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Chiropractor Federal Way WA | The Light At The End Of The Carpal Tunnel
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While the typical image of the carpal tunnel sufferer is someone who has spent long hours at the keyboard and introduced himself to a world of hurt through repetitive motion, that is not the only way to induce carpal tunnel syndrome, nor is every repetitive motion injury carpal tunnel syndrome. If only life were so simple.
What It Is -
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway -as big around as your thumb – located on the palm side of the wrist. It shields a primary nerve in the hand and tendons that bend the fingers. Overuse or improper form and support during movement can essentially cause the passage to narrow, putting pressure on the nerve. Repeated pressure on the nerve leads to the numbness, pain and, eventually, hand weakness that characterize carpal tunnel syndrome.
There are other problems, such as tendonitis or more serious conditions, such as autoimmune diseases that attack bone, tendon and cartilage that can lead to similar symptoms, so it is important to have a professional diagnosis. There are certainly therapeutic behaviors that will alleviate the symptoms, but if left untreated, any of these conditions can have serious and permanent consequences.
Syndrome Symptoms -
While a generalized ache in the wrist that extends into the hand or forearm is nothing to get alarmed about in and of itself, it may be a first warning sign and something to remain aware of especially if it persists or worsens. When the vague ache turns into pain, especially radiating pain reaching as far as your shoulder, this is the time to worry.
Of equal concern is tingling or numbness. You know that feeling you get when your foot goes to sleep? You wrist and hand should not be feeling like that on a regular basis unless they are extremely lazy. Pain that extends well beyond work hours and/or interferes with sleep is another sign that you’ve been ignoring signs, as is persistent and growing weakness in the hand or wrist.
Prevention and Treatment -
The good news is that carpal tunnel syndrome is both preventable and treatable. Prevention is the best, as, left too long, the only effective treatment is surgery. Painful surgery.
A chiropractor or other type of physical therapist can help out with stretching and strengthening exercises that can avoid carpal tunnel syndrome or keep an existing condition from getting worse. Each individual situation is slightly different, meaning that specific exercises may be necessitated by any given condition, but there are certain things that everyone should do.
If you do work at a desk, make sure you are provided with proper wrist support as well as positioning yourself so that your weight and any strain is evenly spread. Regardless of occupation, making sure to stretch out and change up the muscle motions from time to time will do wonders.
Remember, any type of repetitive motion involving the wrist or the hands can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Keyboards get a bad rap because so many more people are using them than even 20 years ago that there has been an upsurge, but look around you. How many other people do you see wearing wrist braces? Treating your body right before pain sets in is half the battle.
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