Methods for Alleviating Carpal Tunnel Discomfort without Leaving Home
Having Trouble with That Thumb Tingle? You Might Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!
Worried about that awkward, tingly sensation creeping up your thumb and fingers like they're about to fall asleep—for no apparent reason? You might just be dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome, a common condition affecting the hand and wrist.
Fret not, though! We've tapped orthopedic surgeon William Seitz, MD, to bring you a suite of simple, at-home remedies to tackle your pain and get you back to your best. And if those don't cut it, surgery can offer a highly effective solution.
The Lowdown on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Worried it's carpal tunnel syndrome? Dr. Seitz clarifies: "Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when your median nerve, which runs from your forearm to your hand through a tight space known as the carpal tunnel, gets squished or compressed."
"Symptoms usually include numbness, tingling, and pain, focusing on your thumb and the first three fingers of your hand," Dr. Seitz adds.
Dealing with nine tendons in the same carpal tunnel? That's nothing to worry about. As long as nothing's making that tunnel smaller and pinching the median nerve, you should be good to go.
Home Remedies to Soothe Carpal Tunnel Pain
While carpal tunnel syndrome can be a niggling annoyance, there are many techniques you can try at home to ease the discomfort. Rest is the primary step to take—stop doing the activity causing the compression, and only resume when the symptoms improve.
Now, let's dive into five tips for treating carpal tunnel syndrome from the comfort of home:
1️⃣ Ice, baby, ice!
Ice your wrist for 10-15 minutes, once or twice per hour. This should temporarily work wonders for relieving your wrist pain, and it also helps keep swelling in check.
2️⃣ Slap on a wrist splint!
Pick up a wrist splint to help maintain proper hand alignment. Wearing it at night can help prevent you from flexing or overextending your wrist while snoozing.
3️⃣ Give it a shake!
Shake out the pain at night by delicately wiggling your hand and wrist, or hang your hand over the side of the bed. This can help release the pressure on the median nerve, giving you some much-needed relief.
4️⃣ Let pain relievers be your friend
Pop an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen or naproxen to lessen the pain. Remember to consult your primary care physician first and ensure there are no medical reasons to steer clear of these painkillers due to interactions with other medications.
5️⃣ Warm it up!
Soak your hand in warm water (a temperature between 92° and 100°F, or 33° and 37°C) for 3-4 times a day, and gently flex or move your hand and wrist during this time.
6️⃣ Change your workspace
Transform your work environment if you're spending long hours at a desk or typing away:
- Adjust your chair height
- Change the position of your keyboard
- Modify your hand and wrist positions
These modifications can help alleviate pressure on your median nerve and tendons, offering some temporary relief.
7️⃣ Consider cortisone shots
Injections of corticosteroids can bring some pain relief to folks with carpal tunnel syndrome. Just like other treatments, cortisone shots work by decreasing inflammation around the median nerve, and thus easing the pain.
When It's Time to Consider Surgery
Don't fret if these at-home treatments don't kick your pain to the curb within one or two weeks. It might be time to chat with an orthopedic physician who specializes in bones, joints and muscles about additional treatments that could be the solution you're seeking.
Research in this field suggests that individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome who might also have amyloidosis, a protein disorder, could be at heightened risk for congestive heart failure[6]. In this case, biopsies can be performed during carpal tunnel surgery to test for amyloidosis.
"Your healthcare provider may suggest surgery if there's severe damage to your median nerve or to prevent permanent sensory or functional loss," Dr. Seitz concludes.
Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome involves cutting the ligament at the base of your palm, effectively expanding the carpal tunnel and alleviating pressure on both the median nerve and your tendons.
"With time, surgery may offer the path to permanent relief," Dr. Seitz reassures.
- Be aware that carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition affecting the hand and wrist, characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb and first three fingers.
- Home remedies for carpal tunnel syndrome include resting the affected area, icing the wrist, wearing a wrist splint, shaking out the hand and wrist, taking over-the-counter painkillers, soaking the hand in warm water, modifying your workstation, and considering cortisone shots.
- If home remedies are not effective within a few weeks, consult an orthopedic physician for further treatment options, such as surgery to expand the carpal tunnel and alleviate pressure on the median nerve and tendons.
- The research suggests that individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome might be at a higher risk for congestive heart failure if they also have amyloidosis, a protein disorder. In this case, biopsies can be performed during carpal tunnel surgery to test for amyloidosis.
- Maintaining good health and wellness through fitness and exercise, mental health therapies and treatments, proper nutrition, and regular medical check-ups can help prevent chronic diseases and promote overall healthy living.
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