Carpal tunnel syndrome is an overuse injury involving the nerve that runs through your wrist. The injury can be painful and debilitating, including chronic flair-ups that grow progressively worse. However, kinesiology provides a number of steps you can take to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, including self-administered and health care provider-administered treatments.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Your median nerve and nine tendons run through a passageway on the palm-side of your wrist called the carpal tunnel. When these tendons become inflamed or the tunnel becomes compromised due to trauma or injury, your nerve can become compressed. This nerve controls sensation to your fingers and thumb, as well as several small muscles in your hand that enable movement of your fingers and thumb. When your nerve becomes pinched, it can affect your ability to use your hand.
Kinesiology
Kinesiology is the study of health and human movement. This medical field addresses physiological and mechanical mechanisms, including biomechanics and orthopedics. It is used by athletic trainers, exercise and fitness specialists and allied health professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists. Because carpal tunnel syndrome involves the wrist, kinesiology can provide insight into how to treat the motions that are causing or aggravating your injury, including certain physical and occupational hand therapy techniques.
Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms can include pain, numbness and tingling in your hand and fingers. Additionally, you may experience weakness in your hand and sharp pains that shoot up your arm. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, women are three times more likely to develop this injury, potentially due to their more narrow wrists. Causes include trauma to your wrist, wrist alignment problems, repeated use of vibrating hand tools and work-related stress on your wrist.
Self-Administered Treatments
The most important treatment is to rest your wrist for at least two weeks. This can be aided by using a wrist brace or wrap to immobilize your wrist, available at most drug stores and pharmacies. Applying ice can reduce swelling, as well as taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs--NSAIDs--such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. If these treatments fail to work, you will need to seek medical attention from a doctor.
Advanced Treatments
Early diagnosis is critical to avoid permanent damage of your nerve. Your health care provider will use a variety of diagnostic tools to determine if you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, including a physical examination. Your doctor may also take x-rays, conduct nerve conduction velocity tests and perform an electromyography. Once confirmed, anti-inflammatory injections, such as corticosteroids or lidocaine, may be administered. You may also be referred to a physical or occupational therapist for stretching and strengthening exercises. In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Preventative Care
There are a number of things you can do to lessen your chances of suffering carpal tunnel syndrome. Take frequent breaks from repetitive activities involving your hands. Rotate your wrists and stretch your palms and fingers. Reduce your force and relax your grip. Avoid bending your wrists all the way up or down. Keep your keyboard at elbow height or below.
