Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects the nerves in the wrist and many ask, will a tens unit help carpal tunnel? The condition causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often caused by repetitive use of the hands, such as typing or using a computer mouse. It can also be caused by pregnancy, obesity, and certain medical conditions.
There is no cure for carpal tunnel syndrome, but there are a number of things you can do to prevent it. Here are some tips:
- Take breaks when using your hands. If you have to use your hands for a long period of time, take breaks every 20 minutes or so to stretch and rest your hands.
- Use proper ergonomics. This means using your hands and wrists in a way that minimizes stress. For example, when you’re typing, make sure your wrists are straight and your elbows are at a 90-degree angle.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can put extra stress on your wrists, so it’s important to maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid activities that put stress on your wrists. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s important to avoid activities that put stress on your wrists. This may include activities such as typing, using a computer mouse, playing sports, or gardening.
- Strengthen your wrists. Strengthening the muscles in your wrists can help to support them and reduce stress. There are a number of exercises that you can do to strengthen your wrists. Some of these exercises include:
- Wrist curls: To do a wrist curl, sit with your palm facing up and your forearm resting on a table. Hold a weight in your hand and curl your wrist up towards your forearm. Then, slowly lower your wrist back down.
- Wrist extensions: To do a wrist extension, sit with your palm facing down and your forearm resting on a table. Hold a weight in your hand and extend your wrist down towards the table. Then, slowly raise your wrist back up.
- Wrist circles: To do a wrist circle, sit with your arms relaxed at your sides. Make a circle with your wrist, rotating it clockwise for 10 repetitions, then counterclockwise for 10 repetitions.
- Apply ice. Applying ice to your wrists can help to reduce pain and inflammation. To apply ice, wrap a bag of ice in a towel and place it on your wrists for 20 minutes at a time. Repeat this several times a day.
- Elevate your wrists. Elevating your wrists can help to reduce swelling. To elevate your wrists, prop them up on a pillow or other object.
- See a doctor. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome that is severe or does not improve with home treatment, see a doctor. The doctor may be able to recommend additional treatments or refer you to a specialist.
Here are some additional tips to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Use a keyboard tray. A keyboard tray can help to keep your wrists in a neutral position when you’re typing.
- Use a wrist rest. A wrist rest can help to support your wrists and reduce stress.
- Take frequent breaks. Get up and move around every 20 minutes or so to stretch and rest your hands.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise can help to strengthen the muscles in your hands and wrists, which can help to reduce stress.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can put extra stress on your wrists, so it’s important to maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking can reduce blood flow to the hands, which can increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
- See a doctor if you have any concerns. If you have any concerns about your hands or wrists, see a doctor. The doctor can diagnose any problems and recommend treatment options.