Have you ever felt numbness in your hands and fingers when falling asleep? It can be an early sign of so-called carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects approximately 4 to 10 million Americans. If ignored, it can cause long-term damage, so it is very important to take preventive measures against it.
We have put together the most effective ways to treat hand numbness. Try it as soon as you feel the first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is also known as median nerve compression. The first symptoms to appear are numbness and tingling in the hands and wrists at night. As the condition progresses, symptoms may worsen during the day.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women than in men and is more likely to affect middle-aged people. It is important to take certain precautions to avoid developing CTS.
Take Frequent Breaks
Jobs that require a lot of repetitive hand and wrist movements can negatively impact carpal tunnel symptoms. Your hands need regular breaks between work sessions.
Set a reminder every 2-3 hours and get some exercise. Add in a few squats and you will tone your entire body.
Keep Wrists Straight While Working
Studies confirm that there is a positive association between wrist posture and carpal tunnel syndrome. Adjust your chair so that your forearms are level with the keyboard. Try to keep your wrists in a neutral position without bending them.
Consider Wearing A Wrist Splint
Wearing a splint helps keep the wrist in a neutral position. It’s especially important to wear one if you type a lot of sleep at night.
It is very difficult to control your wrists while you sleep, and a splint can make a significant difference.
Do Wrist Exercises
Muscle stretching exercises around the wrists help ensure that the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel are in good shape. Try to include stretching, bending, and flexing your wrists when you do these exercises.
Use Correct Posture
Using correct posture while working is vital to more than just your back. It turns out that if you succumb to poor posture on a regular basis, the nerves in your shoulders tend to get pinched, which ends up affecting your wrists and hands. Sit with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor.
Feel numbness in your hands at night? Are you going to take any of these preventive measures? Share your experience in the comments below.
