Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Preventive Tips, Treatments, and Exercises

Tips to Prevent the Painful Symptoms From Getting Worse

The following strategies work to control the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:-

• Be Gentle

Try not to grab things too tightly. Hold them firmly. Also, when you use a keyboard or pen, provide a softer touch rather than a tight one. The idea is to release tension from your wrist.

• Keep Wrist Warm

The pain, tingling, and stiffness are less intense when your wrist is warm. Gloves work well to control carpal tunnel symptoms by keeping your wrist warm.

• Catch a Break

Give your wrist a break of 10-15 minutes. A break is mandatory, primarily if you work with your wrist, like playing a musical instrument or constantly typing.

• Stretch Your Wrist

Do some wrist exercise while you are on break. Make a fist and release. Stretch your fingers upwards, keep them in that position for a few seconds, and then release them. 

• Keep Your Wrist Straight

Staying neutral for some time helps relieve carpal tunnel pain as it takes the pressure off your median nerve. Wearing compression gloves when you are neutral helps further. But can you wear compression gloves to bed?

It depends on how much time you wear them in the daytime, as too much compression is also not good. So it’s best to ask your doctor about the duration of wearing compression gloves for carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Consult a Medical Professional

A licensed medical professional can prescribe the right ways of exercising and stretching your wrist. They will also be able to suggest helpful small additions to your daily routine, such as wearing hand compression gloves.

Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Experts swear by following treatments to cure or control the pain and numbness of carpal tunnel.

• Copper Compression Gloves

Many people wonder that do compression gloves work for carpal tunnel. Yes! They can help to relieve the worst of the symptoms. The addition of copper to the compression gloves further reduces stiffness and joint inflammation by ensuring regular blood flow and oxygen supply.

• Anti-Inflammatory Medicines

OTC or prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicines temporarily address pain and swelling. However, they don’t cure the underlying cause of carpal tunnel.

• Non-Surgical Intervention

The non-surgical intervention involves precautionary measures. The most common types of measures are as follows:-

o Wearing fingerless copper compression gloves at work so that your hands are functional.

o Applying ice pack.

o Performing stretching exercises.

o Take frequent breaks.

• Surgery

Carpal tunnel surgery is a minor procedure that doesn’t involve an overnight stay at the hospital. However, local anesthesia is required for this surgery of ligament severing to reduce the pressure on your median nerve.

Effective Exercises for Carpal Tunnel

Following are the few simple exercises which provide relief from pain and stiffness. But don’t do them without your physician’s discretion.

• Whenever you feel pain and numbness in your hands, shake them out for a few seconds. You may feel better.
• Make a fist and stretch your fingers upwards. It must look like you are making a stop sign.
• Touch the tip of each of your fingers with your thumb one by one. Make an “O” shape when you do this. Repeat this as many times as you can in a day
• Squeezes a soft rubber ball or balled-up socks. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat it 10 times a day.

Summing up!

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful but manageable condition. Many patients benefit from the preventive steps, treatment methods, and exercises explained in this article. However, it’s better to discuss with your physician before doing anything suggested here, including wearing carpal tunnel gloves.