Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand muscles. Repetitive finger motions such as typing on a keyboard or playing piano in incorrect positions most commonly cause CTS, but other conditions such as pregnancy, arthritis, and diabetes also exacerbate CTS. If you suffer from this syndrome,you are probably familiar with the discomfort of doing even day-to-day tasks. Stop carpal tunnel syndrome from ruining your life; explore these remedies and tips below.

First, stop the Source. If your symptoms are in the early stages, the problem can often be resolved by simply changing your habits. You can prevent further damage and the symptoms will likely go away in a few weeks. Try these simple changes to promote healing:

• Engage in exercise—keep your body’s repair system in top shape. Your circulation needs to be working well in order for your wrists and hands to function properly.
• Sleep with a brace—some people actually make their CTS symptoms worse when they sleep, bending their wrists and putting pressure on the median nerve. Ask your doctor about braces or search for them online.
• Use ice, not heat—use an ice pack wrapped around the wrists to reduce inflammation. Ice can sooth the muscles, but heat can actually make the swelling worse. Try icing them for five minutes a day.
• Take frequent breaks—your wrists can hold a lot of tension. Remind yourself to stop frequently and shake your wrists out, stretch your arms, and relax your hand muscles.
• Type the Correct way—office jobs wreak havoc on the wrist muscles. Opt for a keyboard that has wrist support if you feel that your wrists are drooping down. They need to line up with your hands.
• Rotate tasks often—whether you are typing, lifting, or building, the repetitive motions associated with each task on the jobcan make symptoms worse. Try to rotate your tasks to make it easier on the arm muscles. Ask your supervisor if you need assistance.

Next, explore pain-relieving remedies.There are plenty of medical and alternative options, so decide what method of therapy you prefer and go from there.You may find relief from one or several treatments. Your healing will depend on how severe your symptoms are.

A doctor can prescribe medicine to relieve pain, inject a steroid into the area to reduce inflammation, or discuss surgical options for severe cases. They may also want to inspect it to possibly rule out other larger issues, like arthritis or tendonitis. Consult your doctor if your symptoms get worse.

If you are looking for an alternative form of therapy, many CTS sufferers have found immense relief fromthese methods:

• Acupressure—Acupressure reduces carpal tunnel symptoms by improving circulation near the arms and wrists. A professional may focus on points near the wrists and small intestines.
• Chiropractic—A chiropractor can adjust the wrist, spine, and elbows to relieve pinched nerves.
• Osteopathic—Osteopathy has also shown success in treating CTS by stretching and massaging the tense nerves.
• Yoga—Yoga is designed to strengthen and stretch every joint in the body, and it can reduce the pain and strengthen the muscles in people who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Herbs—Herbalists claim that applying St. John’s wort and wild yam extracts to the wrist areas can reduce swelling. The herbs are also available in tea form.

Some alternative health practices, like the Brampton physiotherapy clinics closer to Ontario, use a combination of chiropractic and acupressure methods for optimal healing. If you can find a professional who has certifications in more than one form of therapy, they will know which therapy will work best for you. Many people have found alternative remedies to be effective in reducing their CTS pain, so don’t be afraid to continue testing out methods until you find the one that works for you.

About Author : Connor Adkins Connor Adkins enjoys helping people stay fit and healthy. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. In his spare time, he writes for Parc Ontario.
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