Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
What are they?

Carpal tunnel symptoms are quite specific because of what's actually happening to your hand. But to understand the symptoms first we have to break down the condition to see what it really is;

So firstly what does carpal mean?

carpal bone: any of the eight small bones of the wrist

So where is your carpal tunnel?

Take a look at the picture below and you will see...

So what exactly is carpal tunnel syndrome?

It's a painful condition caused by the pressing or squeezing of the median nerve in the wrist (see the diagram) caused usually by incorrect hand postures and the lack of ergonomics

Now the median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move.

The carpal tunnel is in fact a narrow, rigid tunnel of ligament and bones at the base of the hand and it contains the median nerve and tendons.

When the pressing or squeezing of the median nerve occurs the result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm.

Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers.

Some sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent.

The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists.

A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist.

As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks.

In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch.

Carpal Tunnel Exercises

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome obviously go and see your doctor but if you only have mild symptoms you can do these exercises. Or this massage technique

For more information about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from Chiropractic Help follow this link: CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME ...

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