With the stresses and responsibilities of everyday life, it is easy to ignore or downplay sensations of pain. It’ll go away soon, you think. I’m sure it’s just temporary.
Often times, you’d be right, but in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, it would certainly be a mistake to neglect what your body is trying to tell you.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a relatively common disorder stemming from pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. This nerve, which extends from the forearm to the hand via a narrow space called the carpal tunnel, regulates motion and sensation in all the fingers except for the pinky. When the nerve becomes pinched, symptoms such as tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain may arise. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), many patients report symptoms of carpal tunnel in one or both hands at night due to flexed positions during sleep. Furthermore, progression of the disorder often leads to daytime tingling and can result in decreased grip strength, muscle loss, and an inability to distinguish temperature by touch if left untreated.
Image Source: Colin Hawkins
Since repetitive wrist movement frequently causes carpal tunnel, occurrence of the syndrome is directly correlated to profession. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA)’s list of high-risk jobs includes a variety of assembly-line workers, such as those in the manufacturing, sewing, and meatpacking industries. Although popular opinion also suspects computer-centric careers, recent research shows otherwise. In reality, rates of incidence are three times higher for line workers than data entry ones.
Gender plays a role as well, with carpal tunnel syndrome being three times more prevalent in women than men. Presumably, this discrepancy is linked to the anatomically smaller carpal tunnels found in females along with fluid retention during pregnancy. Similarly, preexisting health conditions like hypothyroidism, arthritis, diabetes, and any others that may contribute to swelling of the carpal tunnel may put you at an increased risk.
The ACA documents carpal tunnel as “the most expensive of all work-related injuries”, estimating medical and time-related losses at $30,000 over a lifetime. This expense, in addition to the obvious discomfort, makes prevention of the disorder especially critical. Recommended precautions include wearing wrist splints, performing stretches, and taking breaks between tasks. In the event of a positive diagnosis, treatment begins with rest and anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by conservative care methods such as chiropractic therapy and acupuncture. Surgery remains a last resort when alternatives fail to relieve symptoms.
It is important to always listen to your body’s signals, especially when symptoms are unusual or arise in a new region of the body. When it comes to carpal tunnel syndrome, paying attention can ultimately save you—and your wallet—from a lifetime of suffering.
