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
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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.
Light
the
at
of the
end
tunnel