Luckily, there is a lot of information about carpal tunnel syndrome. However, being able to decipher the gimmicks from the evidenced based information can be difficult. There are products, exercises, massage, acupuncture, adjustments, and so much more that promise to help your symptoms.

At Virtual Hand Care, we don’t believe in quick fixes.  Our 5 simple steps to improve carpal tunnel symptoms are based on years of experience working with thousands of people with carpal tunnel syndrome.

There is not just one thing you can do to get rid of your carpal tunnel syndrome. It is usually, a combination of several techniques that will provide you with the most successful outcome and long lasting results. If you haven’t read our blog post on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome- Is Numbness and Tingling in Your Hand Keeping You Up at Night? Take a moment to check that one out.

It is important to remember the longer you have experienced numbness and tingling in your hand, the less likely conservative methods will help. Consequently, if your median nerve is compressed for years, it could have irreversible nerve damage and may not make a full recovery.

By making a few simple changes, your symptoms can become less severe. As always, it is very important to see a doctor to confirm your diagnosis.

Listed are 5 simple steps you can take to improve your carpal tunnel symptoms and minimize your numbness and tingling.

1. Brace

Wearing a wrist brace can help keep your wrist in an optimal, neutral position while decreasing the pressure to the carpal tunnel space. It is important to wear a brace at night and during activities that cause your symptoms. I suggest a day brace and night brace. The day brace should allow more finger motion and function while still supporting the carpal tunnel and the night time brace should be comfortable so you can sleep!

2. Modify

Modifying activities that make your symptoms appear can be a big help in decreasing your symptoms. For example, if your fingers go numb when you type, then try to adjust your keyboard or purchase an ergonomic keyboard. work station is to blame. Adjust your keyboard.

3. Exercise

 Performing exercises to your fingers can be helpful in allowing the median nerve to glide through the tunnel without compression. Exercise can also assist with pumping inflammation out of the tunnel, thus, decreasing the swelling over the nerve. Squeezing a ball is NOT an exercise we recommend. This can pull the small muscles of your hand into your carpal tunnel space therefore, aggravating your already inflammed nerve.

4. Look up

 A nerve can have several points of compression as it travels from the neck to your hand. This can mimic carpal tunnel like symptoms causing numbness and tingling or shooting pains into the hand. It is important to identify where the compression is occurring. Do you notice the tingling is worse when you move your neck? Is the tingling worse when working overhead? This leads us to #5.

5. Seek Assistance from a Healthcare Provider.

Lastly, a physician, Physical or Occupational Therapist will be able to evaluate where your nerve compression is coming from. Therefore, find a physician or therapist trained in carpal tunnel treatment. They should be able to provide you with additional interventions, similar to the 5 steps here, to incorporate throughout your day to find relief. Our Hand care experts have helped thousands of people with carpal tunnel syndrome. You can start feeling better today!

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