Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most prevalent issues of the hand. Think of it as a “pins and needles” pain but on steroids – it is a pinched nerve in the wrist.
This condition is caused by a compressed nerve in the carpal tunnel, the narrow passage where the median nerve and nine tendons pass from the forearm into the hand.
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when swelling in this tunnel puts pressure on the nerve. It triggers numbness, tingling, and other issues in the hand and arm.
Arthritis and fracture can contribute to why a person will experience carpal tunnel syndrome.
Ultimately, there can be many contributors including the anatomy of a person’s wrist, health problems, and most probably repetitive hand motions.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
As described, this condition is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs from your forearm through a passageway in your wrist to your hand. Anything that aggravates the median nerve can lead to this issue. It can happen in many ways, such as:
- Joint dislocations
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Swelling of the lining of the flexor tendons called tenosynovitis
- Fluid build-up during pregnancy
Diabetes, thyroid conditions, and rheumatoid arthritis are also associated with this condition. In many cases, there is no single cause for this syndrome. A combination of risk factors can contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Issues associated with carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually. Oftentimes, there is numbness in the thumb, index, and middle, and ring fingers that come and go.
Symptoms are mostly felt at night, but can also be noticed when performing day-to-day activities such as typing, driving, or even reading. In worse cases, there is a loss in sensation and arm strength.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can also produce discomfort in the wrist, the palm of your hand, and even your arm.
Symptoms may include:
1. Tingling or Numbness
Usually, the thumb, index, middle, or ring fingers can be affected but not the little finger. You may notice the tingling and numbness in these fingers as well as your hand. Sometimes, there is an “electric shock” sensation that can travel from the fingers, through your wrist, and up your arm. The shock sensation may be more pronounced during the night and can wake you from sleep. It can also occur during the day when holding objects. This numb sensation may become persistent over time and many people shake their hands to try to relieve the feeling.
2. Weak grip
You may have the tendency to drop the object you are holding due to weakness in your hand. This symptom may be attributed to the numbness in your hand or weakness of the thumb muscles, both of which are also connected to the median nerve.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Risk Factors
Some factors have been linked with carpal tunnel syndrome. Several of these may not directly cause the condition, but they may increase the chances of irritating the median nerve damage such as:
1. Sex
This condition is found more commonly in women than men. It may be due to the fact that the carpal tunnel area is smaller in women. Those women that suffer from carpal tunnel also have smaller carpal tunnels compared to women who don’t have this issue.
2. Obesity
Being overweight also poses more risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Anatomic factors
A fractured or dislocated wrist can contribute to the pressure on the median nerve. People who have a smaller carpal tunnel than normal are also more likely to have this condition. Diabetes and some chronic illnesses also increase your risk of nerve damage.
4. Inflammation
Ailments and conditions that are characterized by inflammation (like rheumatoid arthritis), can irritate the lining around our wrist tendons and put pressure on our median nerve.
5. Balance of body fluids
If you are retaining fluids in your body, you also run the risk of increasing pressure within your carpal tunnel, which also means irritating the median nerve. This commonly occurs during pregnancy and menopause. Generally, carpal tunnel due to pregnancy resolves on its own after giving birth.
6. Work environment
Working with vibrating tools or performing prolonged or repetitive actions on the wrist (such as in an assembly line) can create harmful pressure on your median nerve or worsen existing nerve damage.
7. Other medical conditions
Certain conditions can increase a person’s chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. These include menopause, obesity, thyroid problems, and kidney disorders. On the other hand, studies are still conflicting over these factors. There has not been an established direct cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.
ANF Therapy® Applied On Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
“It was amazing.
I was in excruciating pain and
I’m so happy because I feel so much better.
I’m so thankful.”-the ANF patient
About ANF Therapy®
ANF Therapy® uses circular ANF Discs which are applied directly on the skin after palpation and assessment by a trained ANF Therapist following the ANF Therapy® Method, Patented Model no. U202030252, ES1259974.
The ANF Therapy® purpose is alleviation in injury and pain within minutes.
Our aim is that the patient experiences a reduction of pain and swelling, an increase in range of motion, and an improvement in quality of life-related to health. Non-transdermal non-invasive device, NO needles or chemicals are used.
Are you experiencing carpal tunnel symptoms? ANF Therapy® may help you decrease pain and improve the range of motion. Contact us for more information and schedule an appointment with one of the ANF Therapists.
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