What is Carpal Tunnel ?
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Painful – and not to mention frustrating, carpal tunnel syndrome, a repetitive strain injury, has become more and more common…
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common type of repetitive strain injury. It occurs when the median nerve is compressed in the carpal tunnel that is located on the palmer side of the wrist. This nerve supplies the palm, thumb and first three fingers. When the nerve supply is decreased symptoms such as numbness, tingling and pain in the first three fingers and thumb is reported.
The muscles may eventually weaken and atrophy causing clumsiness. Carpal tunnel syndrome must be distinguished from nerve entrapment elsewhere in the arm, shoulder or back that may cause similar symptoms.
The median nerve can be compressed by physical activity. Computer workers, musicians, athletes, hairstylists, jackhammer operators, assembly line workers and any other individual who performs repeated movements with their wrists and fingers are susceptible to this cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. The nerve can also be compressed by pressure from fluid or other body tissues. This occurs with conditions such as diabetes, bone spurs, inflammatory arthritis and pregnancy.
Conventional treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome involves avoidance of aggravating activities, wrist splints and anti-inflammatory medication. Surgery is performed as a last resort; when permanent muscle and nerve damage is threatening.
Ergonomic aids for reducing carpal tunnel problems are as follows. Use your whole hand to grip an object. When using a keyboard, keep your elbows bent, wrists and hands in a straight line and your forearms parallel to the floor. Use a “wrist rest” pad to alleviate pressure on the carpal tunnel.
Shake out your hands periodically. Perform stretching exercises such as wrist rotations. Strengthen the area with exercises. For example, place a rubber band around your fingers and open and close the fingers in sets of ten.
Pay attention to your sleep position to ensure that it does not strain the wrists.
There are diet changes that can be made to manage and decrease symptoms of carpal tunnel that focus on decreasing inflammation. Salt causes the body to retain water so avoiding excess salt and processed food, which is typically high in salt, will decrease swelling and water retention. Some foods actually increase joint inflammation and should be minimized to decrease carpal tunnel: dairy, eggs, meat, rhubarb, parsley, asparagus, spinach, beets, chard and cabbage. The following foods should be increased to see a reduction in swelling: pineapple, avocados, bananas, nuts, potatoes, whole grains, sweet potatoes, chicken and nutritional yeast. Weight loss could also benefit carpal tunnel sufferers if the individual is obese which puts a strain on the canal..
For refernce pls check https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/carpal-tunnel/