WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME?

Many Americans experience wrist and hand pains, and there are a number of different causes for this pain. Sprains and other injuries are fairly common, but so are repetitive stress injuries. One potential type of repetitive stress injury is called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Your Carpals And The Carpal Tunnel

Your forearm contains two bones, the radius and the ulna. These two bones come together at your wrist and attach to a group of eight small bones called the carpals. The carpal tunnel is a passageway between these bones that connect the nerves and tendons to your arm and the rest of your body. This tunnel is on the inside (the palmar side) of your wrist.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

When the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel get inflamed, they can put pressure on the median nerve in the hand that runs parallel to them. This can cause a number of symptoms, like pain and numbness in the hand and wrist and tingling in the fingers. Left untreated too long, it can even lead to muscle atrophy in the hand, especially below the thumb.

There are a lot of potential causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. These include repetitive motions, forceful use of the wrist, extended vibration, and poor posture (especially when performing repetitive or forceful movements, as in typing or industrial work). Other risk factors include obesity, arthritis, and pregnancy.

Relief Through Massage

Surgery is often needed for advanced carpal tunnel syndrome, but if you begin treatment early, you might never get to that point. Massaging the forearm and wrist is a good way to ease the symptoms of and eliminate carpal tunnel syndrome. The Roleo is a massage therapist–approved method of providing relief to this area. If you suspect you might have carpal tunnel syndrome, be sure to talk to both a doctor and a massage therapist.

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