Self Prevention Techniques for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
 hese days everyone seems to be aware of carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, more than 3 percent of the adult population suffers from this condition. Simple everyday tasks such as typing, cooking, even driving can eventually, over time, contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
 "People are very health care savvy these days, and most have heard about carpal tunnel syndrome. However, people may not be aware of the simple preventive treatments that they can complete on their own," said Anne Bishop, occupational therapist and certified hand therapist with Methodist Physical Therapy in Oak Ridge. She is the only certified hand therapist in Oak Ridge, and one of only a few in the Knoxville area.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a repetitive motion disorder, is the result of pressure exerted on the median nerve at the wrist. When the median nerve is compressed during an injury or through repetitive motion or prolonged gripping of the fingers, symptoms of carpal tunnel become obvious.
"There are many well-known preventive techniques, such as ice, elevation and splints, that people can try to help avoid, or at least minimize, the numbness, tingling and pain associated with carpal tunnel," said Bishop. "However, there are two techniques that people often overlook: neutral wrist positioning and stretching."
Neutral wrist positioning, explained Bishop, means keeping your wrist fairly straight or slightly bent upward. Although it sounds simple, there are many things we do on a daily basis that put the wrists in extreme angles of tilting or bending. Using a computer mouse or opening a door can overly tilt the wrist to the pinky side, and propping your head in your palm can over-extend the wrist. Over-flexing the wrist can occur when you sleep with your hands and wrists curled in.
Bishop said that while we complete tasks with our hands and wrists throughout the day, we can often overwork the tendons that go through the carpal tunnel. Performing a stretch to these joints and muscles in the opposite direction in which they were being used can give the tendons and muscles an opportunity to lengthen, stretch out, and rest.
"After all, if you had to stay in one position for several hours at a time without a change in position or a rest, wouldn't you be tired and irritated too?" added Bishop.
In addition to the hand therapy services Bishop provides, Methodist Physical Therapy also offers a comprehensive range of physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, and has satellite clinics in LaFollette and Wartburg.
If you suffer from the recurring symptoms associated with carpal tunnel, it is important to seek early intervention from your doctor. If you need to locate a physician please call the Dr. Finder Health Information line at 481-1811. For more information about the services of Methodist Physical Therapy, call 481-1198.
Covenant Health has numerous physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities throughout the region. For a complete listing call the Covenant Health Information Line at 541-4500.
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