Have you ever felt numbness in your arms or hands? If this feeling has continued for several months or gotten worse, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). 

But why does it happen? Well, it happens when a nerve in yoru wrist is pinched (which is usually the result of typical everyday activity like using hand tools or playing instruments). 

This issue starts slowly and gradually worsens if you don’t pay attention to it. Here, we’ll talk about what you can do when it happens to you. Let’s get started. 

At Home and Lifestyle Changes 

Changing your lifestyle or taking a break from repetitive tasks is the first step you can take to manage the condition. Whether you’re using a hand drill or typing, set a 15-minute timer and stop whatever you’re doing when it goes off.

You can also wear a wrist brace while sleeping so your wrist stays straight. This will protect your hand from accidentally bending and squashing the nerve. You can also use nerve glides that floss your nerves. You can open and close your hand slowly to help the nerve slide back into place. 

If you type a lot, you can keep your wrists straight. Also, adjust your chair so your arms stay in a relaxed position. 

Use The Carpal Solution 

The Carpal Solution is a doctor-developed stretching kit. It relieves the symptoms of this particular issue without surgery. But how does it work?

So traditional rigid splints simply freeze the wrist in place. But the Carpal Solution uses active stretching. You apply elastic straps to three very specific areas around your palm. Now, this device keeps stretching the connective tissues over several hours. This continuous stretch flushes out the trapped fluid so the nerve can come back to its original position. 

Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Release

Surgery becomes the last resort if other treatments fail. Here, the surgeon cuts the tight band of tissue that presses on the nerve. This gives the nerve more room to breathe, and it adjusts on its own. This procedure is safe and can be carried out in 20-30 minutes under local anesthesia. 

There are two main surgical techniques used in the procedure. In the open carpal tunnel release, the surgeon makes small incisions in the palm to directly view and divide the ligament. 

But in the endoscopic technique, one or two smaller cuts are made. The surgeon then inserts a tiny camera to see and move the ligament from inside.

Risks Involved with the Treatment 

The treatment options we’ve mentioned above are generally safe. But complications could appear if the procedures are not done accurately. For example, wearing the wrist splints too tight could cause skin irritation. Similarly, those over-the-counter drugs can also cause stomach or liver issues (in case of long-term use). 

With surgery, the wrong cut can cause excessive bleeding. The median nerve could also get bruised, which may cause lasting tingling or numbness. 

Final Thoughts

This issue can be addressed easily if you pay close attention to the symptoms. A certified, experienced physician can also check your condition and advise you on the most suitable treatment options.