When the nerve running from the forearm to the hand becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome develops, report doctors at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The palm side of the thumb and the rest of the fingers become irritated, resulting in weakness, pain and numbness in the hand and wrist. Pain also can radiate up through the arm. There are a number of steps to take to deal with carpal tunnel syndrome and avoid further complications.
Step 1
Get your hand checked out by a doctor when you begin to feel symptoms, because early detection and treatment can help to prevent permanent damage. Doctors can use electrodiagnostic tests and pressure tests to tell if you have the condition.
Step 2
Wear a splint for at least two weeks after receiving a diagnosis and refrain from activities that worsen the condition. The wrist must be immobilized so that it doesn't twist or turn. Ice can be used to reduce swelling in the initial treatment period.
Step 3
Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen if your condition is new or caused by especially strenuous activity. Temporary relief also can be achieved with injections of corticosteroids like prednisone to relieve the pressure.
Step 4
Perform stretching and strengthening exercise once the swelling and numbness are relieved to prevent further attacks. With arms extended, make a fist and bend your wrists downward, holding for about five seconds. Straighten the wrists and release. Repeat 10 times about three times per day to strengthen the muscles in the wrists that hold the tunnel in place.
Step 5
Consider acupuncture or chiropractic adjustments, which have proven to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers from recurring episodes of pain, reports the NIH. Yoga is another alternative therapy recommended by the NIH for strengthening the hand muscles.
Step 6
Undergo surgery if the symptoms do not respond to natural remedies and last more than six months. Surgery involves cutting the band around the wrist that holds the tunnel in place, relieving the pressure.
Tips and Warnings
- Stop work that causes the carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms regularly to bend the fingers of the hands backwards and hold for a count of five. Do this throughout the day to prevent serious damage and relieve the discomfort.
- Full recovery from surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome can take months and carries risks such as infection, nerve damage and permanent loss of strength in that hand.
