Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a physical condition that affects the median nerve, which controls the movement of the hands and fingers. Because of repetitive movement, this nerve becomes compressed into a tunnel inside the wrist (hence the name). Some of the symptoms of CTS include numbness, hand and wrist pain, loss of sensation and/or grip strength, and loss of fine motor skills. Those who are most prone to CTS are people who regularly use their wrists and hands in movement for long hours at a time. If you have an occupation that makes you more prone to CTS, here are some ways to help you avoid it:
- Get treatment right away. If you feel that you are starting to develop CTS, tell your doctor immediately. That's because CTS (as with many other types of ailments) is much easier to treat when it is just at its beginning stages.
- Always be aware of ergonomic correctness. When you are typing, make sure that you don't extend or bend your wrists. Your arms should be at a 90-degree angle to your body, and your wrists should also be parallel to the floor as you type. If needed, you could place a support or cushion under your wrist to ensure that it is level with the keyboard. The key here is to avoid placing your hands and wrists in unnatural positions, or positions that would require stretching, flexing or bending them for long periods of time. Apart from the proper positioning of your hands, arms and wrists, you should also make sure that your back is straight and that your feet are touching the floor when you are typing.
- Use minimum force with your fingers. This guideline should be applied to any tool that you use. When typing, particularly, you should invest in a keyboard with sensitive keys so that you won't have to exert too much pressure on your finger pads. When using hand tools such as screwdrivers or paintbrushes, remember to hold them as loosely as possible.
- Take a break every now and then. If you're the type of person who gets so engrossed with your work that you tend to work continuously for hours, have a timer with an alarm so that you would be reminded to take a few minutes break every hour so you could give your hands, fingers and your eyes a rest.
- Do some exercises. Take the time to do some simple exercises that would make your wrists and hands happier. Simply shake your wrists and arms for a few seconds; or clench your fist tightly, then release and fan out your fingers.
Taking care of yourself to minimize any adverse symptoms would definitely pay off, as a healthy body would mean a better quality of work. Prevention truly is better than any cure, and so be very conscious about how you position your body while at your workstation, and your body will certainly thank you for it!
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