2 things I did to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome

While you work, have you felt some discomfort or even pain on your wrists or forearms? If so, it may be possible they are early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. It is very important that you take measures to prevent this ailment.

I want to be clear: I do not have training in the medical field. The information that follows are steps I took to try to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome back when I had mild symptoms. I feel the measures I took helped me tremendously and I want to share my experience with you.

Keep in mind that each person is different, what worked for me may not work for you. Therefore, if you suspect that you are experiencing early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, it would be best you consult a health professional.

Around 2004, I started experiencing various symptoms, including pain in my right forearm and ring finger. These are some of the strategies that were effective in my case.

Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome

To seek relief I tried several types of mice but in my case they were not effective, except for one. The mouse I use daily and recommend to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome is the Anker 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse. Here is a brief review of this product.

Its ergonomic style promotes a more natural grip. Its design adapts to the contour of the palm of the hand to provide greater comfort.

Visit this product’s page on Amazon, do a search for “carpal tunnel” in Customer Reviews, and you’ll see how many people report getting relief from using the mouse. One user wrote in his review: “For people with carpal tunnel: Best $20 you’ll ever spend.”

The mouse is compatible with Windows and Mac, I use it daily with both operating systems. This mouse is wireless, it has a small USB adapter that you plug into your computer. You will need two AAA batteries, so it would be convenient to get rechargeable AAA batteries.

Note: This is a right-handed mouse.

Best $20 you’ll ever spend 

Customer review in amazon.com

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercise: Wrist Stretches

There are Web pages that provide a pretty long list of exercises for the carpal tunnel syndrome. But there is one exercise that was enough for me to alleviate my symptoms.

The exercises I performed to relieve the pain can be found on this website: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises. In part, it mentions:

“Studies there [University of Oklahoma Orthopaedic & Reconstructive Research Foundation] indicate that two out of three patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel symptoms were able to avoid surgery by using these exercises – twice the success rate of other nonsurgical treatments. These exercises are more successful in patients with mild symptoms, and are not recommended for patients with severe symptoms. Patients who have persistent symptoms despite these exercises should discuss surgical treatment with their physician.”

“Here are some exercises intended to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Remember doing a quick five minute exercise warm-up before starting work, just as runners stretch before a run, can help prevent work-related injuries.”

two out of three patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel symptoms were able to avoid surgery by using these exercises

THE ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOK OF HAND SURGERY EATONHAND.COM

See the page on Eaton Hand for the original charts of the exercises.

1. Extend and stretch both wrists and fingers acutely as if they are in a hand-stand position. Hold for a count of 5.
2. Straighten both wrists and relax fingers.
3. Make a tight fist with both hands.
4. Then bend both wrists down while keeping the fist. Hold for a count of 5.
5. Straighten both wrists and relax fingers, for a count of 5.
6. The exercise should be repeated 10 times. Then let your arms hang loosely at the side and shake them for a few seconds.

Were these exercises effective for me? Surprisingly, I felt relief almost immediately. I genuinely believe these exercises helped me prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. I also shared this information with a couple of co-workers. The hand of one of them was swollen, but he mentioned that these exercises helped him a lot and that they alleviated the pain he felt in his hands.

What did not work for me against carpal tunnel syndrome

The mouse that I felt didn’t help me was a trackball mouse. For me, after several weeks of use it was painful to rotate the ball. It also was more difficult to use than a regular mouse. It’s hard to be precise on the trackball, it’s a bit of a struggle when you want to select items accurately.

The department where I worked also got me an ergonomic, split keyboard with a wrist rest. I tried to use it for several weeks, but the inward position of the hands and forearms was very uncomfortable for me.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located between the bones of the wrist and the ligaments located in the palm of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by excessive pressure within that passageway, on the median nerve in the wrist. This in turn causes pain and tingling in the hand and arm.

For detailed information on this condition, you can consult the Mayo Clinic website to learn about its symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment.