CTS, which is also called median nerve entrapment or median nerve compression, can happen when a nerve gets swollen, when the tendons get inflamed, or when something makes the carpal tunnel swell. Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the median nerve gets pinched as it goes from the wrist to the hand. On the palm side of your hand is where the median nerve is. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by the way the wrist is built, by health problems, or by doing the same hand movements over and over. With the right treatment and massage therapy, the tingling and numbness usually go away, and the wrist and hand function returns.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Your carpal tunnel pain is because of too much pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. Now there are multiple causes for the swelling, the most common is inflammation. Most of the time, this inflammation comes from an underlying health problem that makes the wrist swell and sometimes stops blood flow.
CTS can happen for many different reasons. But it’s more likely if a person uses their wrists in extreme ways, is exposed to vibration, and uses their fingers over and over, like when typing. But oftentimes, there is no evident basis.
Some of the most standard grounds for this are:
- repetitive motions
- diabetes
- hypothyroidism
- breaks or injuries to the wrist
- pituitary gland that overworks
- swelling or fluid accumulation
- autoimmune diseases
- wrist lesions
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Because the median nerve is being pressed on, the symptoms tend to show up along the nerve’s path. Your hand may often “fall asleep” and drop things. Some other signs are:
- Ache, numbness, and pricking in your fingers (minus the smallest one)
- A burning pain that goes up your arm
- Night wrist pain that makes it hard to sleep
- Hand muscles aren’t strong enough
What are the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome?
There are many things that can put you at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, but your job is the most important one. Carpal tunnel syndrome is more likely to happen to people who use computers because they use their hands all the time. Other things that put you at risk are – unhealthy body weight, age, and a history of the disease in your family. Also, make sure your hands are clean and free of germs. It is a rare occurrence, but infections can also contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. Finally, if one or more of your fingers hurt or feel numb, you should see a doctor right away. You can also opt for Massage Therapy in Surrey in order to relieve the pain.
The diagnosis is carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS
To find out if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor may ask you questions and do one or more of the following tests:
Symptoms in the past
Your doctor will look at how your symptoms have been coming and going. For example, because the median nerve doesn’t send feeling to the little finger, symptoms in that finger may be a sign of something other than carpal tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually show up when someone is holding a phone, a newspaper, or a steering wheel. Most of the time, they happen at night and may wake you up or make you feel numb when you wake up in the morning.
Ultrasound
Your doctor may suggest an ultrasound of your wrist to see the bones and nerves clearly. This helps the doctors figure out if the nerve is pinched or not.
Electromyography
This test looks at the tiny electrical sparks that muscles make. During this test, your doctor puts a thin needle electrode into certain muscles to measure the electrical activity when the muscles are working and when they are at rest. This test can find damage to the muscles that the median nerve controls and may be able to rule out other problems as well.
Study of nerves conduction
In one type of electromyography, two electrodes adhere to the skin. Then, they give the median nerve a small shock to see if electrical impulses slow down in the carpal tunnel. Experts use this method to figure out what’s wrong and rule out other problems.
Physical exam
Your physician or nurse will perform a physical assessment. He or she will check how the fingers feel and how strong the hand muscles are. Many people’s symptoms start when they bend their wrist, tap on the nerve, or just press on the nerve.
X-ray
Some experts suggest getting an X-ray of the painful wrist to rule out other problems, like arthritis or a broken bone. But X-rays don’t help figure out if someone has carpal tunnel syndrome.
What are the treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is an issue with the wrist that causes pain and makes it hard to move. There are many ways to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, but medicine, Physiotherapy Clinic in Surrey, including massage therapy, and surgery are the most common. Suppose you think you might have carpal tunnel syndrome. In that case, it’s important to get help because it can become excruciating and hard to live with.
Surgery is the most expensive and invasive choice but has the best results. Medications can help relieve symptoms, but they don’t always work well and can have side effects. On the other hand, physical and massage therapy work but take time. So most of the time, people with carpal tunnel syndrome do best with a mix of treatments.
A carpal tunnel splint can help reduce swelling and pressure on your wrist if you don’t want to have surgery, take medicine, or go to Think Physio- massage therapist
What are the home remedies to prevent CTS or reduce its symptoms?
Medical experts associate the condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome with chronic compression of the median nerve. This is usually attributed to poor ergonomics at work, arthritis, or other health conditions. Regularly engaging in physical activity and maintaining a healthy diet are two of the most effective measures one can take to reduce the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Examine your routines at work and in your personal life to determine whether you are getting sufficient rest by looking at how you work and how you spend your time.
Warming up your hands and wrists is the most effective preventative measure you can take against carpal tunnel syndrome. You can accomplish this goal by employing the use of a heating pad, dressing in gloves, or maintaining them in a warm environment such as a bath or shower. In addition, providing your mind and body with an opportunity to relax throughout breaks will allow you to perform at a higher level for the remainder of the time you are working. Lastly, massage therapy is also an effective way to ease the pain and other symptoms.
Bottom Line
CTS is a common condition that can show up slowly at first. However, CTS causes severe pain and numbness in the fingers, hands, and arms over time if not treated.
People can treat mild cases of CTS at home by doing things like reducing the number of times they do the same thing, using warm compressions, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. However, if the condition gets worse, you may need steroid injections or even surgery.
If you think you might have CTS, you should see a doctor. Getting an early diagnosis and the right treatment like medications and massage therapy can help you feel better faster and avoid problems.
