Individuals whose jobs or normal activities require them to do the same repetitive motions are most at risk for getting the condition known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This medical condition, caused by a pinched nerve located in the wrist, creates pain in the affected arm and hand. It also often becomes progressively worse over time. There are a number of symptoms that are common to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Occurring most often in one or both hands, CPT is often first noticed at nighttime when the body is at rest.
One of the most common symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a feeling of numbness or a painful tingling sensation experienced at night severe enough to awaken the person from a sound sleep. In addition, there may be a sensation that the hand is falling asleep and is experiencing being pricked by multiple pins and needles. Individuals may also notice that they feel pain in their hand or wrist when attempting to grasp an object or flex their hand at the wrist. Additional symptoms include a dull aching sensation along the forearm between the elbow and the wrist, as well as difficulty in moving the fingers first thing after sleep because they feel very stiff.
The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome often make it difficult for an individual to do simple tasks such as brush their teeth or comb their hair without pain. They are also more prone to dropping objects they attempt to pick up or carry. People also experience the inability to pinch an object between their thumb and first finger, or experience weakness in the thumb that makes certain tasks more difficult.
Avoiding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The best way to avoid getting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is to take frequent breaks when doing any task involving repetitive motion in order to stretch the muscles, as well as rest. Repetitive movements should be alternated with another type of activity and it’s important not to allow the body to remain fixed in the same position for any length of time. Another way to avoid getting the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is to arrange the space you are working in using ergonomic principles so that the positioning of your body overall, specifically your hands and arms, do not stress the nerves and muscles. Maintaining a healthy weight as well as participating in regular exercise can also help an individual avoid developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
