Adjusting The Way You Sleep
Ways To Lower Your Carpal Tunnel Pain At Night Naturally
Individuals diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome tend to report an increase in wrist pain first thing in the morning. Whats happening while you sleep? Turns out there is a lot including the way you position your hand and wrist. Check out these three easy methods of carpal tunnel treatment you can try today. Then contact our chiropractor and carpal tunnel doctor in Kenosha for additional care.;
Tips To Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Some things you can do to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome all together are things such as:
- Modify your workstation for a more ergonomic environment for your hands and wrists.
- Practice nerve gliding stretches to improve mobility and restore mobilization.
- Watch your diet and nutrition as vitamin deficiencies can contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome or increase the severity of symptoms. There are a few essential deficiencies to keep in mind.
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
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Day 14 Elation: I Realized I Had Found The Natural Cure For Severe Carpal Tunnel
After two weeks, I knew I had found the treatment for severe carpal tunnel pain that I was looking for. I was at least 50% better at that point.
I was so relieved. I felt like celebrating. Remember, the original diagnosis of severe carpal tunnel. Could it be that I have found my deliverance from this torturous journey of severe carpal tunnel pain? Yes!
Oh, and about the permanent nerve damage warning, I have since learned that it is rare and not something that most people should be worried about, even with Severe Carpal Tunnel. It is the chronic sleep loss, that is really dangerous to ones health from Carpal Tunnel. Just saying this for the record. I imagine a lot of people are told they will get permanent nerve damage if they dont rush into surgery. If you are told you will have nerve damage, dont worry about that, it is extremely rare with carpal tunnel.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a fairly common condition that affects the hand and wrist, says hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder surgeon William Seitz, MD.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling and pain, usually in your thumb and the first three fingers of your hand, Dr. Seitz says.
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm to your hand through a narrow space called the carpal tunnel, is compressed or pinched, Dr. Seitz says.
Nine tendons that flex the first three fingers and thumb also run through the carpal tunnel.
Anything that makes the carpal tunnel smaller and pinches the median nerve can result in carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Seitz says. These can include:
- Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes
- Repetitive hand movements, especially if the wrist is bent so that your hands are lower than your wrists
- Pregnancy
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Best Ways To Ease Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pain
If youre dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome, here are a few ways to combat the pain.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the nerves that run from the forearms into the palm get squeezed at the wrist. This median nerve controls small muscles in the hand and provides feeling from the wrist to the extended fingers. Irritated tendons and swelled narrows of the tunnel can compress the nerve, causing excruciating pain throughout the hand and wrist, as well as the forearm and arm.
- In the morning: Soak your wrists in an ice bath for 10 to 15 minutes.
- In the evening:; Submerge your hand in water that is between 92 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit,;and gently flex your wrist three to four times.
How To Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Make sure to treat your symptoms at home for 1-2 weeks before going to your doctor. Its best to use these alternatives 2-4 times daily, as needed for carpal tunnel pain relief.
If you have a desk job or any hobby/job/profession that requires repetitive motion of the hands and wrists, but do not yet show signs of carpal tunnel pain, give this list a go. Perform these exercises, stretches, and therapies now to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome before it starts.1. Take Breaks from Repetitive Tasks
Repetitive tasks such as typing and playing instruments are some of the most;common causes;of carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you cannot avoid these tasks, set a timer at regular intervals of 15 minutes or so.;Take a break;and stretch your hands, wrists, and fingers. This will improve blood flow and give your median nerve a break.
2. Wear a Carpal Tunnel Splint
Carpal tunnel splints are usually designed to be worn at night. The splints are designed to hold your hand and wrist in a neutral position that relieves pressure from the median nerve.
In;many cases, wearing a wrist splint while sleeping is enough to provide pain relief. Should you feel the need to wear the splint during the day, make sure it doesnt strain;other parts of your hand;or arm. 3. Relax Your Wrists
If you find that certain activities cause you to tense your hands or wrists, remind yourself to;consciously relax;them. Use only as much force or tension as necessary, and take regular breaks.
4. Use an Ice Pack
6. Stay Warm
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Hand And Wrist Stretches
;A physical therapist, occupational therapist, or certified hand therapist can teach you exercises which you can learn to do on your own. Nerve and tendon gliding exercises have been shown to be helpful in carpal tunnel syndrome. Simple exercises I have found helpful are stretches which involve the fingers and wrist, pulling them back into extension and holding the stretch for 20 seconds, then relaxing. This can be repeated for up to 5 minutes per session, 2-3 times per day. This stretch shouldnt be painful or done with excessive force. Therapists can also do therapeutic ultrasound and iontophoresis treatments which can help reduce symptoms.
Is Carpal Tunnel Without Surgery Possible
Wrist exercises can help relieve carpal tunnel pain along with other pain-relieving methods such as ice packs, wrist splints at night, corticosteroid injections, and taking regular breaks from actions that cause carpal tunnel pain. When minor treatment doesnt work for carpal tunnel pain, doctors may recommend surgery.
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Include Exercises To Reduce Carpal Tunnel Pain
There are a few exercises you can do each day that will help relieve the pressure on the nerves that are causing pain. It strengthens your wrists and helps to relieve pressure on the median nerve. Do it daily and you will find improvements in your wrist pain. It is also great for preventing any future issues with Carpal Tunnel.
Using all these methods together have dramatically decreased my carpal tunnel pain to where Im now back to living my life. At first it didnt remove all the pain, but after doing all these tips for a while, I now can go months without pain. I now hardly notice any carpal tunnel pain unless I have really over done the typing on the computer or the crocheting. I still dont have the same strength in my hands that I did before, like I cant open bottles, soda bottles, jars of pickles, etc without help, but at least I dont have the constant throbbing pain!
I hope these tips can help you better manage your carpal tunnel as well!
Ways To Ease Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Without Surgery
If youve ever experienced pain, numbness, or tingling in your hands youre not alone. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common cause of loss of function and pain in peripheral nerves due to chronic compression, otherwise known as entrapment neuropathy. Luckily, there are several ways to ease the uncomfortable symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome so you can get back to living your life on your terms.
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Treatment Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Your health care provider will figure out the best;treatment for you;based on:
Your age
Your overall health and medical history
How bad your wrist is right now
How well you tolerate specific medications, procedures, or therapies
How bad the disease is expected to get
Your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
Splinting your hand.;This;helps keep your;wrist from moving. It also eases the;compression of the nerves inside the tunnel.
Anti-inflammatory medication.;These may be oral or injected into the carpal tunnel space. These;reduce the swelling.
Surgery.;This eases compression on the nerves in the carpal tunnel.
Worksite changes.;Changing position of your computer keyboard or making other ergonomic changes can help ease symptoms.
Exercise.;Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have gotten better. These exercises may be supervised by a physical or occupational therapist.
What Are The Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include the following:
- Numbness or tingling in your hand and fingers, especially the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
- Pain in your wrist, palm, or forearm. You may shake or rub your hand to get relief.
- More numbness or pain at night than during the day. It may be so bad that it wakes you up.
- Pain that increases when you use your hand or wrist more.
- Trouble gripping objects, such as a doorknob or the steering wheel of a car.
- Weakness in your thumb.
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Secret #11: Essential Oils
This is another highly contentious subject. While research says that there is no proof that essential oils have any healing power, thousands of testimonials say otherwise. You have nothing to lose by trying some of the essential oils listed here.
Some of the most commonly recommended essential oils for carpal tunnel include:
- Wintergreen
- Helichrysum
Mixing one or more of the above oils and gently heating them creates a sweet-smelling massage oil. Use several times each day for best results.
About Carpal Tunnel Wrist Pain
If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome in your wrist, this is caused by nerve damage. In this case, the median nerve that runs from the upper cervical spine in the neck through the upper arms and down through each wrist into your hands. This will cause wrist pain and discomfort. You can have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. However, this is rare since the condition is the result of a pinched or pressed median nerve.;
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Types Of Painful Feelings
As describe above, theplacewhere carpal tunnel pain hurts the most is easy to define. But describing the actualtypeof pain patients feel is more difficult.
The types of pain reported have a wide range. They can be anywhere fromannoying or bothersometocrushing or punishing. The specificqualitiesof pain sensations usually described are:
- shooting
Note that you can have only one or all of these pain sensations at the same time. Usually having more than one type of pain sensation is relative to the stage of carpal tunnel syndrome.More advanced stages produce additional types of pain sensations.
Talk To A Doctor About Surgery
Typically, surgery will involve severing a ligament around your wrist to help reduce median nerve pressure. Surgery is generally performed under regional involving some sedation or local anesthesia and doesnt require an overnight stay at the hospital. Many individuals need surgery on both hands.
Although carpal tunnel surgery involves the surgeon relieving nerve pressure by cutting the ligament, they can use two different methods to accomplish this:
- Open Release Surgery: Open release surgery is the standard surgery used for correcting carpal tunnel syndrome. The surgeon makes a two-inch incision in your wrist and cuts the carpal ligament so they can enlarge the carpal tunnel. Usually, patients require local anesthesia for this surgery, and its performed on an outpatient basis.
- Endoscopic Surgery: Endoscopic surgery may allow for less post-operative discomfort and quicker functional recovery than the standard open release surgery. There could, however, be more complications, and you may require additional surgery. The surgeon will make an incision or two of around a half an inch in your palm and wrist. Then, theyll insert a camera which is attached to a tube so they can observe the ligament, nerve and tendons while cutting the carpal ligament.
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Are You Affected By The Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you find yourself experiencing any symptoms weve discussed above and theyre not easing up with the at-home treatments, its important to make an appointment with a hand surgeon for a diagnosis and treatment plan that can get you on track to healing your hand and wrist.
If youre local to the Phoenix area, you can make an appointment online with me, Dr. Vella, to discuss treatment options unique to you. You can also feel free to give our office a call at 393-4263 to schedule your consultation. I specialize in providing customized, compassionate care that gets you back to feeling your absolute best both quickly and effectively.
Helpful Life Hacks For Carpal Tunnel Pain
When you have the wrist or hand pain and tingling of carpal tunnel syndrome, it may seem like surgery is the only answer. But there are measures you can take to either avoid or postpone surgery and still have good quality of life.
Read:Distinctive Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
1.Give wrists a restOne of the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive or extreme wrist motion, so simply resting the wrists and keeping them in a neutral position as much as possible can ease pain and numbness.
See Causes and Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
2.Use a wrist braceBracing the wrist is one of the most reliable ways to stabilize the wrist and ease carpal tunnel pain. When selecting a brace, choose a structured, firm option that will immobilize the wrist, as opposed a flexible one made of neoprene or elastic.
See Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
3.Elevate hands, especially during sleepElevating the hands and wrists can help ease inflammation, particularly at night. This can be done by sleeping on your back and propping your wrists up on pillows. Since keeping your arms straight can also help, try wrapping a towel or ace bandage around your elbows.
5.Ask about job rotationIf your job involves activities such as repetitive assembly line work, talk with your employer about the possibility of rotating tasks to give your wrists and hands a rest.
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Wear Splints Or Braces
You can help relieve median nerve pressure by keeping your wrists straight. Individuals often experience symptoms more at night. If this is the case for you, wearing a splint during the evening can help alleviate your symptoms before they begin. You may also wear a splint brace during the day if you have problems at work with repetitive tasks.
Braces are typically best when youre experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. While they might not work for everyone, it doesnt hurt to try one since no adverse side effects are involved. Give it a few weeks to see if your symptoms improve.
The doctor will likely recommend you wear a brace during the night when youre in bed. This is because many individuals bend their wrists while sleeping and this can worsen the symptoms.
Signs Of Carpal Tunnel At Night
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are often first felt at night then progresses to daytime. Those who have experienced carpal tunnel describe having numbness and pain, especially in the palm, thumb, index, and middle finger. These feelings can become so severe that it can be difficult to hold small objects in your hands or even make a fist.
Everyone experiences carpal tunnel syndrome in their own way. It can vary significantly from person to person. Here is a list of the most common nighttime symptoms, you may experience some or all of them.
- Pain, mild to severe
- Difficulty identifying hot or cold at the touch
- Inadvertently dropping objects
Its important to address carpal tunnel symptoms as soon as possible. The median nerve runs through your wrist. Carpal tunnel symptoms happen when it becomes pinched or compressed which can lead to nerve damage. Always talk to your doctor for medical advice on the best course of treatment for your situation.
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Incisional Carpal Tunnel Surgery Pain
This type of pain comes from the actual cut skin and tissues below it. In carpal tunnel surgery, disruption of a lot of different tissue layers occurs. So cutting through all of these layers is what produces the pain. Its the same type of sharp, stinging pain you get if you cut your finger with a knife. But a knife usually only cuts skin.;
Incisional pain typically only lasts a few days to a couple weeks at most.Keeping the wound cleanand avoiding lifting or gripping things helps lessen the pain. Also, keeping your hand elevated as much as possible reduces swelling and subsequent pain.;
Incisional pain is greater withopen carpal tunnel release surgery.Thats because the cut is 2-3 inches long on the palm. Compare that to a half inch cut made withendoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery.The incisional pain is much less.
