Are you feeling tingling or numbness in your hands or arms that has persisted for several months or gotten worse over time? If so, you may by suffering with carpal tunnel syndrome in Louisiana.
CTS can happen when a nerve in your wrist is pinched and in many instances, it’s the result of a typical everyday activity. This can include the frequent use of vibrating hand tools, playing a musical instrument, or manual labor. (There’s some debate over whether typing or computer work can cause CTS.)
Carpal tunnel syndrome in Louisiana typically starts out slowly and gradually, affecting just one or both of your hands. You may feel numbness or tingling in your fingers, particularly in your index fingers and thumbs. You may also feel an uncomfortable sensation or weakness in your wrists.
If you experience mild CTS, you may be able to ease your symptoms with lifestyle changes and medication. Here are nine home remedies for carpal tunnel relief.
- Take a break from repetitive tasks. Whether you’re typing, playing guitar, or using a hand drill, try setting a timer for 15 minutes. When it goes off, stop what you’re doing and wiggle your fingers. Stretch your hands and move your wrists to improve blood flow to these areas.
- Wear wrist splints. Keeping your wrists straight can help relieve the pressure on your median nerve. Symptoms are more common at night, so wearing a splint in the evening may help relieve your symptoms before they start. If you have issues with repetitive tasks at work, you can also wear wrist splints during the day.
- Lighten up your routine. If you find yourself straining or forcing tasks such as writing, typing, or using a cash register, relax your grip or reduce the force you’re using. Try using a soft-grip pen or tapping keys more lightly.
- Stay warm. Keeping your hands warm can help with pain and stiffness. Consider wearing fingerless gloves or keeping hand warmers nearby.
- Mind your wrists. Avoid activities that make your wrists flex to the extreme in either direction, so try keeping your wrists neutral as much as possible.
- Try exercises. You can do quick wrist exercises while you’re standing in line at the grocery store or sitting at your desk at work. For example, make a fist and then slide your fingers until they are straight again. Repeat this action five to 10 times to help relive any pressure on your wrist.
- Elevate your hands and wrists whenever possible. This home remedy is particularly effective if your carpal tunnel syndrome in Louisiana is being caused by pregnancy, fractures, or other issues with fluid retention.
- Try over-the-counter medications. OTC pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen may help. Not only can these medications relieve any pain you may be experiencing, but they can also reduce inflammation around the nerve.
- Apply pain relief. Researchers have discovered that applying topical menthol greatly reduced pain during the workday.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in Louisiana can be painful and disruptive to your daily life. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to prevent permanent nerve damage. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms for some time, call our office today to schedule a consultation so we can discuss the other treatment methods available to you.