The Costco Connection - January 2014

Carpal tunnel
syndrome
treatments
By Chrystle Fiedler

SOME 11. 5 MILLION Americans have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which can be triggered by doing any type of action over and over again, from typing to text messaging, to working on a machine or even to a hobby, such as knitting. The carpal tunnel—a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand—houses the median nerve and tendons. Carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes hands to ache, tingle, feel painful or feel numb, occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed at the wrist.

Risk factors for CTS include diabetes, thyroid disease and obesity. Women are three times more likely to get CTS, maybe because of a smaller carpal tunnel. “Vibration exposure in jobs like ditch digging, tree trimming or using a chain saw also makes the nerve more fragile and sensitive, and if your job involves heavy gripping, it makes the tendons more likely to swell,” says Dr. Keith Bengtson of the Mayo Clinic’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Even using a mouse or a smartphone, because of the gripping position, can aggravate CTS.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually
diagnosed by a physical exam. “I tap
below the wrist and ask a patient to move
the wrist in various directions,” says
Bengtson, a Costco member. That test, he
says, can help determine if it’s CTS. Once
you have your diagnosis, you can get busy
with these tried-and-true treatments and
natural remedies.

Treatments

■ Wear a splint at night. “Most people who have carpal tunnel syndrome often have nighttime pain,” says Bengtson. “A splint is an easy way to remedy this because it keeps the tunnel straight and open, instead of narrow when the wrist is flexed. Studies show about a 50 percent cure rate with nighttime splints alone.”

■ Modify your activities with the help of a professional. If you’re experiencing pain during the day, you’ll need to alter the activities that cause it; avoid vibration exposure, awkward wrist and hand positions; and limit extending or flexing your wrist.

“A physical therapist or an osteopath can help you identify activities that may aggravate the median nerve and make adjustments,” says Dr. Bettina Herbert, who trained and teaches at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and practices at Hands-On Medicine outside

HA N D S: © CO RBI S GR A PHI C : © D E SIG N ER - T HI NG S / A GE F OT OS TO CK

The Costco Connection

Costco members can fill prescriptions and find over-the-counter pain medication, natural anti-inflammatory remedies and foods, and ergonomic keyboards at Costco and on Costco.com.